COP29 | Another Step Forward for New Energy Vehicles Going Overseas: VIP Vehicles at Climate Conference Provided by Chinese Automakers

On November 15, at the Azerbaijan Corner in the Blue Zone of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, Chinese automaker NIO and its partner Green Car signed a strategic cooperation agreement, announcing their official entry into the Azerbaijani market to provide smart electric vehicle products and services to local users.
According to the agreement, Green Car will become NIO’s national general agent in Azerbaijan, serving local users through direct operations. NIO will officially commence product deliveries in Azerbaijan in the second quarter of 2025, providing NIO’s full suite of services to users in the Caucasus region.
NIO Becomes the Designated Vehicle Brand for VIPs at COP29
NIO has become the designated vehicle brand for VIPs at COP29, marking another step forward for China’s new energy vehicles in overseas markets.
Zhao Yingmin, head of the Chinese delegation at COP29 and Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment, spoke at the event that day, saying that climate change is one of the most severe challenges facing the world today. China is an action-oriented country in addressing climate change, implementing a national strategy to actively respond to climate change. Electric vehicles like NIO, as well as high-quality production capacities such as lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, have provided important support for the world’s green development.
By the end of July 2024, China’s total installed capacity of wind power and solar power had reached 1.2 billion kW, which is 2.25 times that of the end of 2020, fulfilling its commitment to the international community six years ahead of schedule. In the transportation sector, China’s production and sales of new energy vehicles account for over 60% of the global total, ranking first in the world for nine consecutive years. In just this year alone, the production of new energy vehicles has exceeded ten million.
“We are willing to share China’s technologies and practices for green and low-carbon transformation with other countries, and engage in extensive exchanges and cooperation with relevant parties to jointly follow the path of green transformation,” Zhao Yingmin said.
He suggested strengthening policy dialogue, relying on multilateral cooperation platforms such as the Belt and Road Green Development International Alliance to continue promoting policy exchanges and dialogues in areas such as green and low-carbon transportation, fostering consensus, coordinating actions, and accelerating the development of new productive forces. He also proposed promoting standards alignment, strengthening the development of green and low-carbon standards for the upstream and downstream of the new energy vehicle industry chain, and relying on programs such as the Green Silk Road Envoy Initiative and the Belt and Road Eco-Environmental Protection Talent Exchange Program to enhance talent cultivation in the field of green and low-carbon transportation, providing intellectual support for the global development of green and low-carbon transportation. Additionally, he advocated deepening industrial cooperation, promoting the alignment and cooperation of industries such as new energy vehicles with the support of projects like South-South Cooperation on Climate Change and the Green Development Investment and Financing Partnership, improving the accessibility and innovation level of green and low-carbon products and technologies, and facilitating the implementation of more practical cooperation projects.
Azerbaijan, the host country of COP29, means “the land of fire” and is one of the world’s most important energy exporting countries. Nasirov ILHAM, advisor to the Minister of Ecology and Environment of Azerbaijan, stated at a previous side event, “Due to the government’s encouragement policies, more and more electric vehicles can be seen on the roads of Azerbaijan. In 2023, the number of electric vehicles in Azerbaijan has almost increased by 20 times compared to two years ago.” However, a reporter from The Paper (www.thepaper.cn) observed that new energy vehicles are still rare on the streets of Baku, and the exhaust fumes from oil-fueled vehicles, including diesel vehicles, are noticeable.
At COP29, Azerbaijan pledged to increase its renewable energy generation capacity by 30% by 2030. Local media believe that Azerbaijan’s successful bid to host COP29 further demonstrates its determination and confidence in promoting green energy transformation.