Mukhtar Babayev was appointed Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on climate issues on 5th February 2025. In this role, Mr Babayev is the official envoy appointed by the President of Azerbaijan to address matters relating to climate change and environmental challenges.

Mukhtar Babayev was previously appointed COP29 President-Designate on 4 January 2024. He has served as Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources since 2018. Under his leadership, the Department has led efforts to improve Azerbaijan's environment and drive green growth, including the creation of “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for SocioEconomic Development”.

During his tenure, his department also played a leading role in the development of the “Strategy of Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan 2022-2026”, which set out a number of biodiversity, forestry and environmental restoration ambitions, alongside new renewable energy deployment targets.

Mr. Babayev began his career working for the State Committee for Economy and Planning and for the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations. He joined the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) in 1994 and served in a variety of roles there until 2018, including as Vice President of Ecology from 2007 to 2010, in which he led efforts to limit the company’s environmental impact.

In 2010, Mr. Babayev was elected as a member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, following which he was elected a member of the National Assembly’s Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Ecology.  

Mr. Babayev was awarded the prestigious Shohrat Order by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2017 and the Taraggi Medal for distinguished service in 2012.

He holds a degree in political science from the University of Moscow’s School of Philosophy, a degree in foreign economic relations from the University of Azerbaijan, and a degree in world economy from the pan-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade.