Geneva hosts Azerbaijani exhibiton "My Seas, My Oceans" PHOTO

The exhibition "My Seas, My Oceans" has been launched on the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the IDEA Public Association (International Dialogue for Environmental Action), with the support of the United Nations (UN) Geneva Office and the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the UN.

Director-General of the UN Geneva Office Tatyana Valovaya, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Founder and Head of the IDEA Public Association Leyla Aliyeva, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Geneva and public organisations, our compatriots took part in the opening of the exhibition, Azertag reports.

In her speech, Director-General of the UN Geneva Office Tatyana Valovaya noted that in June, UN conferences and other events dedicated to the protection of oceans and water basins are traditionally held. The organisation at such a time of an exhibition that pays attention to the ecological state of the oceans and seas through art is of particular importance.

The ecological system of water resources, seas and oceans, which occupy more than 70 per cent of the planet's territory, is gradually being increasingly exposed to negative impacts.

She expressed gratitude to Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Founder and Head of the IDEA Public Association Leyla Aliyeva and the artists who participated in the exhibition with their works, as well as the curators of the exhibition for presenting such an important topic to the public through art.

In her speech, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Founder and Head of the IDEA Public Association Leyla Aliyeva welcomed the guests at the exhibition with pleasure. She noted that this exhibition is an occasion to draw attention to some global issues through art.

Because artistic creativity is one of the best ways to reach people's hearts: "At IDEA, we always use art and artistic creativity to communicate the importance of environmental protection. Our organisation was established in 2011 with the mission of protecting our nature and biodiversity. We want to involve people in education, art, music, enlightenment, and most importantly, spending as much time as possible in nature."

It was noted that IDEA also pays attention to the fight against pollution, the protection of animals and the vulnerable ecosystem in the seas. Because water is essential to human existence, water is life. It is very difficult to admit that 50 per cent of marine life has been destroyed in 50 years.

Humanity has dealt a serious blow to rivers, seas and oceans: "I would say that people and nature are closely related to each other. By depriving nature, we first of all harm ourselves. However, I do believe that through positive thinking, we will be able to glue the torn pieces together. I believe that the happier people are, the more they will care about nature. And nature makes us happy," said Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Founder and Head of the IDEA Public Association Leyla Aliyeva.

Leyla Aliyeva expressed her gratitude to the partners, curators for organising the exhibition and the artists who presented their works.

The Director of the European Office of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Bruno Pozzi, expressed satisfaction on behalf of the organisation, which has been an IDEA partner for a long time, from participating in the exhibition. It was noted that the exhibition draws attention to the problem that worries the whole world. Water is the most important resource and source of life on our blue planet. Our planet cannot exist without water, and therefore initiatives aimed at protecting water basins and the living world in them must be supported in all possible ways. In the modern period of changes in climate change, the priority among global challenges should be the protection of water resources.

Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN Geneva Office Galib Israfilov thanked the UN Geneva Office and the IDEA Public Association for organizing the exhibition. He stressed that this exhibition reflects the artistic expression of young Azerbaijani artists on a global challenge that makes the world think.

After the performances, the Irs children's dance ensemble operating in Geneva presented an artistic program of Azerbaijani folk songs. This was followed by a public viewing of the exhibition.

The exhibition at the Palace of Nations in Geneva (Palace of Nations), which will last until June 30, presents the work of nine contemporary Azerbaijani artists. The works on display highlight the importance of protecting water resources for future generations, while at the same time reminding us that the best way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals is through creativity.

A partnership between governments, the private sector and civil society is essential in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to make sure we leave a better planet for future generations.

Undoubtedly, art is one of the most effective means of conveying the importance of the world's environmental and sustainable development goals. Such challenges include advancing environmental education opportunities, including issues such as climate change, pollution, overfishing and extinction.

At the exhibition, Javid Ilham, Diana Aliyeva, Elshan Garaja, Erkin Alakbarli, Gunel Ravilova, Leyla Aliyeva, Mirali Seyidov, Nazrin Khalafova and Nazrin Mammadova send messages about such issues in their works, provide a broader understanding of the topic, seek public support, thereby contributing to the achievement of global goals.
On June 14, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the IDEA Public Association Leyla Aliyeva, who is on a visit to Geneva (Switzerland), met with the Director-General of the UN Geneva Office Tatiana Valovaya.

Valovaya expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the exhibition of works by Azerbaijani artists "My seas, my oceans" in the UN Geneva office. She said that the exhibition, which coincides with the UN Summit on Oceans and Water Basins in June, will promote this global theme through the arts. Valovaya emphasised the importance of the works presented at the exhibition, especially the relevance of the water problem and its significance at the global level.

Leyla Aliyeva expressed her gratitude to Valovaya for her personal attention to the organisation of the exhibition and participation in its opening.

At the meeting, the importance of studying the possibilities of cooperation between the UN, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and IDEA was emphasized, and the need to build up contacts shortly was noted. An exchange of views also took place on the participation of IDEA employees and experts in projects related to the Sustainable Development Goals, youth, gender equality, environmental protection and other issues, as well as various events in the UN Geneva office. Given the relevance of such an important issue as protecting women's rights and strengthening their role in society, they also discussed cooperation in this area.

During the conversation, they also touched upon the forthcoming visit of Valovaya to Azerbaijan and meetings in Baku.

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On the same day, Leyla Aliyeva got acquainted with the presentation related to the reconstruction of the "Azerbaijan Room" located in the residence of the UN Geneva Office.

It was noted that there are rooms and halls dedicated to more than 20 countries in the UN Geneva Office. The "Azerbaijani room", restored in 2007 by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and decorated with national carpets, works of Azerbaijani artists and masters of applied art, is used to hold important meetings and events on regional topics. To ensure that the room meets technological standards, a new project has begun. The German company “Luther Design” came up with a project that represents Azerbaijani culture, art, handicrafts and national music while maintaining the concept of the historical building where the room is located.

Reconstruction of the "Azerbaijani room" will begin at the end of this year.

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Leyla Aliyeva visited the sculptural monument titled "Thoughts and Dreams" donated by the Azerbaijani state in Ariana Park, located in front of the Palace of Nations at the UN Geneva Office.

It was noted that the Palais des Nations, built in 1929-1938, is one of the largest public buildings in the world, and the Ariana Park, where it is located, with an area of 46 hectares, is one of the largest parks in Geneva. More than 2,000 works of art, painting and sculpture are presented in the building of the Palace of Nations and Ariana Park. This rich collection covers topics such as peace, equality, development, progress, freedom, human rights, environment, which are the core values of the UN.

The authors of the monument, presented on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Azerbaijan's membership in the UN, are People's Artists Salhab Mammadov and Ali Ibadullayev.

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Aliyeva presented books about Azerbaijan to the library of the UN Geneva Office.

The head of the library, Francesco Pisano, expressed gratitude for the publications that enriched the library fund and spoke about the history of the library.

It was noted that the library held many important documents, as well as archival documents relating to the Paris Peace Conference. This archive is of exceptional importance for Azerbaijan since the originals of many historical documents relating to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic are stored here. Among these documents are letters and appeals prepared by the Azerbaijani delegation that took part in the Paris peace talks, maps and other important historical documents. In 2016, these materials were digitized and included in the online catalogue.

Pisano expressed hope that in the future the library fund would be expanded with even more books about Azerbaijan.