The Eastern European Regional Group selected Azerbaijan to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in 2024.
Aside from Azerbaijan, Armenia and Bulgaria also submitted bids. On December 7, 2023, however, following direct negotiations between the Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Armenia agreed to withdraw their candidacy in support of Azerbaijan. Bulgaria followed suit and withdrawn its candidacy.
The South Korean-owned automotive supplier, BC GEN Hungary Kft., has announced a new investment of HUF 21 billion, which will create 400 new jobs in Salgótarján. The announcement was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó in Budapest on Tuesday.
In recent years, China has pivoted its investment strategy in Central Asia, particularly in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, towards renewable energy projects. Notably, agreements were signed in 2023 for Chinese companies to build substantial solar photovoltaic plants in multiple Uzbek regions, representing a total of $4 bn in investment.
Japan welcomed a record 17.78 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2024, the country’s tourism agency has said, as the weak yen helped drive tourist numbers above pre-pandemic levels.