Rabat, November 26, Chouaib Brhadda, AZERTAC

Following the great success of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the world experienced first-hand the intellectual, political, technical and logistical capacities of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which succeeded in organizing an outstanding session, thus testifying to its sincere commitment to serving humankind and Planet Earth. Indeed, Azerbaijan is committed to finding effective solutions to the adverse impact of climate change on the environment and human existence.

The COP29 offered a multitude of opportunities and provided all conditions necessary to ensure an international and institutional presence of exceptional value and stature.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), headed by Dr. Salim bin M. AlMalik, was a key contributor to the success of this global event. Throughout the conference, the Organization's work and meetings continued unabated, making the best use of the Conference duration to carry out the maximum number of activities, including detailed programs that have yielded practical solutions and initiatives in the service of humanity, in perfect harmony with the wise decisions of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

AZERTAC's correspondent in Rabat got in touch with Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, who kindly accepted to answer our questions:

- How was ICESCO's participation like in COP 29?

- It was, I would say, an exceptional and unique experience. ICESCO took part in the in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku through a pavilion in the Blue Zone, a designated area for the Parties to the Convention and official delegations from countries with accredited observer status, one that ICESCO was granted in December 2023. Our pavilion set itself apart by organizing around 50 different activities, aimed at discussing the repercussions of climate change on various fields including education, science, culture. These events were attended by senior officials and experts in the field of environmental protection and climate change.

Likewise, ICESCO's participation was also marked by the launch of a number of pioneering initiatives and strategies, including the League of Green Innovators, geared towards fast-tracking regional climate action in order to monitor, promote and document best practices in the field of environmental sustainability, and ICESCO's water sustainability cooperation platform. The Organization also announced its strategy to integrate agricultural heritage with contemporary practices and the procedures for sustainable development, launched its framework for greening education in the Islamic world, and held the launch ceremony of the Arabic version of the book “Shusha: The Jewel of Azerbaijan”, as part of the activities celebrating Shusha as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024.

Alongside the Conference, I had the honor of being welcomed by His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During this audience, His Excellency supported the idea of granting a number of students from the Islamic world scholarships at Karabakh University in the field of renewable energies, and discussed certain initiatives and programs proposed for cooperation between ICESCO and Azerbaijan in the field of environmental protection and water and food security, as well as their implementation for the benefit of certain African countries.

The ICESCO delegation took part in a number of high-level conferences, meetings and discussion panels, notably the World Leaders Climate Action Summit and the World Space Leaders Summit, as well as a number of bilateral meetings, including with a group of ministers and senior officials concerned with the Organization's fields of competence in the Islamic world and abroad, with the aim of discussing cooperation between ICESCO and representatives of these institutions and bodies in the field of climate action.

ICESCO has also signed bilateral cooperation agreements with a number of Azerbaijani institutions, including the International Dialogue for Environmental Protection Public Association of Azerbaijan (IDEA), chaired by Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and the State Committee for Family, Women and Children.

I would like to reiterate my sincere thanks and deep gratitude to the Republic of Azerbaijan for its ongoing support to the Organization, and for providing the opportunity and support for ICESCO's participation in a special pavilion in the COP29 Blue Zone.

- What is your impression about the Republic of Azerbaijan's organization of this international event?

- Azerbaijan was very successful in hosting and organizing the Conference of the Parties (COP29), the world's biggest event in the field of climate and the fight against environmental change.

Once again, Azerbaijan has proved its enormous organizational capacity, distinguished human capital and advanced technical skills. I would like to emphasize, in this respect, that more than four thousand five hundred young men and women volunteered to help organize this international event, making a major contribution to its success and achievement.

Azerbaijan occupies a prestigious international position, which has made it a preferred destination for high-level international conferences and events in recent years.

Baku's warm welcome bears witness to this preference. The holding of this event is an added value for the countries of the Islamic world, which have already organized similar international events.

I would like to conclude by reiterating my sincere congratulations to His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and to First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice-President of the Republic, ICESCO Goodwill Ambassador, for the success of the COP29 and for making Baku one of the safest, most organized and most developed world capitals, having brought together the most important international decision-makers and players in climate action.