Azerbaijan preparing halal products for COP29 international delegates

Azerbaijan is working to certify companies to supply halal products for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Ilham Bayramov, Director General of the Azerbaijan Institute of Standardization (AZSTANDART), shared the information at the Azerbaijan Halal Business and Tourism Forum (AZHAB Forum), Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

He noted that COP29 will welcome participants from many Islamic countries, making the provision of halal products and services a top priority.

"Ensuring halal products and services for our guests is one of our main tasks. Work in this direction has already begun," Bayramov said.

He further highlighted that the International Organization for Standardization will also have a large pavilion at COP29.

"We are participating in this process as the main local partner. Together with the Azerbaijani operating company of COP29, we are monitoring major public catering facilities that will operate during the event in the country. The focus of the assessment will primarily be on ensuring the environmental sustainability of these facilities, and providing halal services will be part of the evaluation criteria," Bayramov explained.

The efforts underscore Azerbaijan's commitment to meeting the needs of its international visitors while adhering to halal standards and promoting sustainability.

Muslims around the world observe dietary laws which come from Islamic teachings. Islamic dietary laws define foods that are Halal, meaning lawful or permitted. Muslims avoid food and beverages that are Haram, meaning not permitted.

Halal isn’t just about what food you eat but also how animals are treated during butchering. The process requires minimal suffering for the animal and reciting God's name as the animal is sacrificed.

By Khagan Isayev