Azerbaijani PM meets KAICIID secretary general to discuss global summit, cooperation

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov has met with Secretary General of the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) Zuhair Alharthi.

During the meeting, the sides highlighted that the Global Summit of Religious Leaders, held in Baku under the banner "World Religions for a Green Planet" as part of COP29, played a crucial role in fostering interreligious dialogue and building bridges, the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Caliber.Az.

The discussions also focused on Azerbaijan's efforts to promote the green agenda and combat climate change, as well as strengthen interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Moreover, the meeting explored potential areas of cooperation between Azerbaijani institutions and KAICIID.

Alharthi briefed attendees on the projects and initiatives being implemented by KAICIID. KAICIID is a distinctive intergovernmental organisation that operates through a unique governance system, comprising a Council of Parties made up of states and a Board of Directors consisting of religious leaders. 

This structure enables to unite individuals from different religious traditions, religious leaders, and policymakers. Advisory Forum, which includes over 60 religious leaders from major global faiths and cultural traditions, plays a key role in fostering connections and building networks across communities worldwide.

Member states — the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Holy See as a founding Observer — along with the Board of Directors, ensure the independence of programmes, free from the influence of any single nation or religious group.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan this November. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary session in Dubai on December 11, 2023. During two weeks, Baku will become a global hub, welcoming around 70,000 to 80,000 international guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, aimed at preventing dangerous human interference with the climate system. 

The abbreviation COP means "Conference of the Parties" and refers to the highest decision-making body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the UNFCCC. The Convention has 198 member states. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, the COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in Berlin in March 1995, and its secretariat is based in Bonn.

By Naila Huseynova