Azerbaijan showcases traditional patchwork technique at COP29 PHOTO

An exhibition of Gurama art has been opened at the Azerbaijan Art Pavilion in the Green Zone as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku.

The exhibition aims to showcase Gurama as a sustainable art form — a synthesis of eco-friendly methods and traditional practices, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

The Gurama masters shared various secrets of the art form, innovations, and their experience in the field, as well as exchanged ideas on the future development of Gurama art. 

In addition to showcasing the ancient cultural heritage, special emphasis was placed on Gurama as an environmentally friendly form of art. Workshops were organised for the guests.

Gurama ("connected" or "joined") is a traditional patchwork technique that was used in Azerbaijan to create a single fabric from separate pieces of material. This craft has long been highly popular in Azerbaijan, with almost every girl practicing it as part of their cultural heritage. 

COP29, which is being held at Baku Stadium from November 11-22, is Azerbaijan’s most significant international event to date and the first time the country has hosted a COP conference. The summit kicked off with the signing of the Host Country Agreement and other key documents between the Azerbaijani government and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. One of the central goals of COP29 is the establishment of a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. To further this aim, the COP29 presidency has introduced 14 key initiatives designed to integrate climate action with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

These initiatives cover a broad spectrum of critical areas, including the development of green energy corridors, energy storage solutions, climate resilience strategies, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and the promotion of green digital technologies. A flagship proposal of the conference is the creation of the Climate Finance Action Fund, which is aimed at supporting efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Throughout the event, Azerbaijan has continued to reaffirm its strong commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental protection. The unanimous decision to select Azerbaijan as the host for COP29 reflects the global community’s trust in the country’s leadership on climate-related issues. In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev underscored Azerbaijan’s central role in global climate efforts, emphasizing the nation’s dedication to tackling climate change and advancing sustainable development.

By Naila Huseynova