Leyla Aliyeva, the Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev
Foundation, the founder and head of IDEA Public Union, who participated in the
21st Conference of UN on Climate Change (COP21), met with Executive Director
of the Regional Environmental Centre (REC) for Central and Eastern Europe Marta Szigeti Bonifert, December 4.
At the meeting, perspectives of cooperation between IDEA and REC were considered, and discussions were held on future implementation of joint projects.
Both the organizations recognize public awareness of the perils facing the environment as priority area. From this standpoint, preparation of a multimedia manual called “Green Package” by IDEA and REC is underway for Azerbaijani pupils. It is expected that this manual will be introduced to general public next year.
Leyla Aliyeva gave comprehensive information to her interlocutress about the activities of and achievements reached by IDEA Public Union. It was stated that IDEA’s modern resource centres in Baku and Ganja serve deepening the youth’s knowledge of the environment. At these centres, free-of-charge lectures, trainings, round tables, laboratories, presentations and workshops are arranged for people of different age groups, on a weekly and monthly basis. Moreover, IDEA Public Union has been taking close part in printing of teaching aids and books in Azerbaijani.
Expressing delight in cooperating with IDEA, Mrs Bonifert said they were interested in continuing joint efforts further. She also emphasized that they highly appreciate IDEA’s activity.
Exchange of opinions was held at the meeting on education, public awareness, biodiversity, skill-sharing, joint publications, and possibilities of holding regional and international events.
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On December 4, Leyla Aliyeva met deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Richard Kinley.
Leyla Aliyeva congratulated UNFCCC on holding the grandiose Paris Conference and wished every success to the event. She also said, as a result of the Conference, a universal document would be adopted on climate change, which the international society has been waiting for long.
Leyla Aliyeva informed Richard Kinley in detail of the national and regional projects implemented by IDEA. It was stated that, having operated for only 4 years, IDEA Public Union joined such leading organizations as UN Environmental Programme, Parties Conference of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), World Wide Fund (WWF) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and built close cooperation with a number of other international entities.
Richard Kinley said IDEA has gained broad experience in rehabilitation of biodiversity and public awareness, and, from this standpoint, there was favourable ground for cooperation between the organizations.
At the meeting, the parties discussed IDEA’s membership of UNFCCC, perspectives of cooperation on holding of international events in Baku on climate change, organization of trainings for local specialists, learning cutting-edge practice on removing complications of the climate change etc.
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After the meeting, Leyla Aliyeva paid a visit to COP21 pavilions and familiarized herself with the exposition of Morocco, which is going to host the COP22 Conference. Here, Leyla Aliyeva met Moroccan Minister of Environment Mrs Hakima El Haite.
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On December 4, Leyla Aliyeva, who participated in the 21st Paris Conference of the United Nations on Climate Change, met with Executive Director of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Monique Barbut.
A Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation was signed at the meeting between IDEA and UNCCD. This document reflects the areas of cooperation and its format, along with defining the framework of cooperation between the two organizations.
After the signing ceremony, a bilateral meeting took place between Leyla Aliyeva and Monique Barbut. Leyla Aliyeva gave information about the measures taken towards increasing fertility of saline lands in the country and widening forests. It was mentioned that mass tree-planting actions are arranged by IDEA Public Union on a regular basis with a view to supporting the works carried out by the state towards increasing green areas. Such actions are, as a rule, welcomed by the general public, and great interest is shown towards it. Over the course of 4 years of IDEA Public Union’s operation, over 5 million trees were planted in the country’s territory. Moreover, IDEA launched the “No Cutting Down of Trees” Programme since May last year in order to protect forest belts and green areas. Mutual understanding and close ties between the Public Union and the youth forms the foundation of IDEA projects’ success. Leyla Aliyeva touched upon the activity of the organization she heads in other areas, and its future plans.
Monique Barbut congratulated IDEA on its accreditation with UNCCD. She gave information about UNCCD’s main priorities, as well as projects it has implemented. It was also underscored that the civil society, especially IDEA, could play a significant role in solving the issue of desertification and shortage of forestry in our country.
The parties held discussions also over the perspectives of implementing joint projects both in Azerbaijan and the regions, and organization of international events.
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On December 4, Leyla Aliyeva met Director General of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Inger Andersen.
Leyla Aliyeva congratulated Inger Andersen on her appointment to the position of IUCN director general and wished her every success in her future activity. Talking about IDEA’s activity, Leyla Aliyeva gave comprehensive information about the cooperation existing between IDEA and IUCN. It was mentioned that there was good potential for the extension of cooperation and we should benefit from it.
The parties considered possibilities of cooperation in such issues as education, protection of fauna and flora, management of areas under special protection, public awareness etc.
Mrs. I. Andersen expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between the organization she represents and IDEA, and said she wished this partnership grow further. IDEA’s active participation in the World Parks Congress organized by IUCN in Sydney city in 2014 was emphasized.