Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, held a meeting in Bonn, Germany, with Ibrahim Thiaw, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Note: The original text incorrectly identified the official as Yasmin Fouad; the UNCCD Executive Secretary is Ibrahim Thiaw.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the meeting focused on Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to protect the environment, ensure the sustainable use of land resources, and combat desertification and drought.
During the discussions, the parties reviewed projects and initiatives implemented by the IDEA Public Union regarding environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and the promotion of ecological sustainability in Azerbaijan and the broader region. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of tree-planting campaigns, the expansion of green spaces, and the preservation of existing forest resources as critical measures to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, prevent land degradation, and maintain ecological balance.
Furthermore, the participants exchanged views on the ecological and socio-economic implications of the declining water levels in the Caspian Sea. The discussion addressed the potential impacts of these changes on coastal ecosystems, biodiversity, and regional ecological security. Both sides explored opportunities for cooperation to conduct deeper research into the issue and identify potential joint solutions.
The meeting also underscored the necessity of proactive measures against drought and desertification, while exploring future collaboration between the IDEA Public Union and the UNCCD in areas such as environmental protection, land degradation prevention, and ecological awareness-raising.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. Azerbaijan remains an active participant in global climate initiatives, having hosted COP29 in Baku in 2024, which highlighted the nation's commitment to international environmental cooperation.
