Prof. Dr. Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), held bilateral meetings with leaders of the world's leading think tanks during the UN "Future Summit" in New York. He met with Deepali Khanna, Vice President of the Asia Region at the Rockefeller Foundation; Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency; Amar Bhattacharya, Senior Research Fellow at the Brookings Institution; Fabrizio Bozzato, Director of the Ocean Policy Research Institute at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation; Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Director of the German Institute for Development and Sustainability; Christian Kastrop, Director of the Global Solutions Initiative; Luciana Mendes Santos Servo, President of the Institute of Applied Economic Research; and Shinobu Yamaguchi, Director of the United Nations University Institute.

During these meetings, Azerbaijan's presidency at COP29 and the strengthening of the "green finance" initiative, amidst changes in the global architecture, were especially emphasized. The importance of increasing attention to innovation and technology development was also discussed in bilateral contacts. It was highlighted that Azerbaijan, which has prioritized digitization and economic diversification, can amplify the role of science and technology in addressing climate change, renewable energy, water efficiency, and environmental protection.

Vusal Gasimli stated that under Azerbaijan's leadership at COP29, the country is ready to play a key role in leading global discussions on solving environmental challenges and providing financial aid to countries in vulnerable groups. Azerbaijan is positioning itself as a leader in multilateralism by setting the international agenda.

The think tank leaders stressed the importance of strengthening coordination between the G20/G7 and COP processes. They noted that Azerbaijan, with its strategic geographic position between Europe and Asia, enhances its potential to influence political decisions on climate and economic development.