Azerbaijan develops framework for protecting biodiversity, MP says

Azerbaijan has developed a comprehensive legal and policy framework for protecting land, forests and biodiversity, as well as managing specially protected areas, Azerbaijani MP Parvana Valiyeva has said at the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

During the High-Level Parliamentary Forum on August 25, Valiyeva delivered a presentation on Azerbaijan’s experience, highlighting global challenges related to land degradation, desertification, drought and the sustainable management of water resources, Caliber.Az reports, citing state media.

She also stressed the importance of the National Drought Plan and Azerbaijan’s commitment to restoring 270,000 hectares of forest by 2030 under the Bonn Challenge.

According to Valiyeva, ecological restoration in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories is of particular importance.

She emphasised that mine and unexploded ordnance contamination, along with long-term damage to infrastructure and natural ecosystems, makes comprehensive recovery measures essential in these areas.

The event brought together high-level officials, representatives of international organisations, experts, parliamentarians and academics from 196 countries to discuss interconnected challenges related to desertification, land degradation and drought.

Participants emphasised that land restoration is also essential to reducing instability, preventing displacement and strengthening human and national security in vulnerable regions.

The Azerbaijani MP also participated in parliamentary roundtable discussions on synergies between Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency and the Rio Conventions as part of COP17.

Speaking about the outcomes of Azerbaijan’s COP29 presidency, Valiyeva highlighted the role of parliaments in strengthening environmental legislation and implementing global commitments at the local level.

As part of COP17, Azerbaijan was elected to the Central and Eastern European Regional Group of the Conference Bureau and as a Vice-President of COP17. The Azerbaijani delegation also chaired the plenary discussions.

Azerbaijan successfully concluded its chairmanship of the Central and Eastern European Regional Group for 2024–2026. The regional group also unanimously decided that Azerbaijan would continue serving as co-chair.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov