00:00Hopefully, with a collective effort, we will achieve the net-zero targets, not only in this region, but globally.
00:08Energy security, diversification and sustainability.
00:13Three words dominating global policy discussions.
00:16And again, we see positive dynamics in cooperation between producer, Azerbaijan, transitors and consumers.
00:27And this unity and shared interests and shared benefits, I think, is the main reason for our successful journey for
00:38more than a decade.
00:40In Baku, leaders from Europe, the United States and across the Caspian region have gathered for the 12th Southern Gas
00:46Corridor Advisory Council
00:48and the 4th Green Energy Advisory Council ministerial meeting.
00:52At the centre of discussions, how to sustain Europe's energy security while accelerating the green transition.
00:58Over the last decade, the Southern Gas Corridor has connected Caspian gas reserves with a European market.
01:05But today, that agenda moves beyond gas.
01:10The meeting signals a broader discussion, greener electricity, interconnectivity and long-term energy resilience,
01:18recognizing an increasingly volatile geopolitical climate.
01:22We have decided in the EU that we want to get rid of our dependency on Russian gas.
01:27This then, of course, raises the challenge, how do we then get the energy that we need?
01:33One part of that solution is that we use less gas because we use more renewables.
01:38The European Union remains one of the principal partners in this initiative, co-chairing the Advisory Council
01:44and reinforcing the strategic nature of the corridor.
01:47These meetings are extremely important because, obviously, when dealing with something as complex as energy policy,
01:55the need to have a dialogue, to facilitate deals, to facilitate also solving of some of the more technical problems
02:04that arise is really there.
02:06The Southern Gas Corridor now supplies billions of cubic meters of gas annually to Europe.
02:12But leaders here stress that the next phase must combine stability with sustainability.
02:19We've delivered what we promised, and generally, it was a case in the oil, it was a case in the
02:25natural gas.
02:27It was always a case, and even during the difficult times,
02:30Azerbaijan ensured the uninterrupted supply of the much-needed energy to Europe and the other regions.
02:36And our European partners, they highly value this.
02:39They are telling us that Azerbaijan is always a reliable partner, we are a strategic partner for the Europe.
02:44This corridor is of big importance considering they can diversify the sources of supply of gas,
02:51not only from the Caspian region and from the Siberian region, but also from the Southern Gas Corridor.
02:58And by this means it's of importance not only for security of supply, but also for the competitiveness.
03:05You know, when you have diversified sources of energy, you have competitive price of gas, which is good for the
03:11economy.
03:12Collaborations and diplomacy across the region and beyond highlights the corridor's geopolitical importance beyond Europe.
03:19Incredible transition in terms of the energy supply, different routes,
03:24and Azerbaijan has proven to be a very reliable and trustworthy partner.
03:27The sheer fact of the member of the countries represented here speaks to that effect.
03:32I think Azerbaijan now supplies the gas through the Southern Gas Corridor to 16 countries.
03:37Ten of those are the European Union members, and Slovenia is proud to be one of them.
03:41The role of gas remains vital for stability, yet there are suggestions for a parallel acceleration for renewables.
03:49There's no doubt that the role of the Southern Gas Corridor has changed.
03:52It's now a connector linking security, sustainability and regional cooperation.
03:58But alongside hydrocarbons, the Green Energy Advisory Council highlights a parallel ambition, exporting renewable electricity from the Caspian to Europe
04:09through new transmission corridors.
04:11Sokar Green has numerous projects already underway.
04:15We are proud that we have achieved many milestones.
04:18We have a portfolio of 1.6 gigawatts under development together with our partners such as Mazdar.
04:26With Mazdar we have one gigawatt, two solar, one wind.
04:28With BP we have 240 megawatt solar PV project.
04:33And with our Chinese partners we are developing 420 megawatt, three separate 400 megawatt in total projects.
04:41As leaders conclude their discussions in Baku, the message is clear.
04:45Energy security is no longer just about supply.
04:48It's about partnerships, diversification and preparing for a greener yet more resilient future.
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