Leyla Aliyeva spoke at the plenary session of the World Parks Congress and held a number of bilateral meetings.

On November 14, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action) Public Union, spoke at the plenary session of the World Parks Congress held in Sydney by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Leyla Aliyeva informed the Congress participants about Azerbaijan’s advantageous geographical location, its nature, rich flora and fauna, as well as favorable climatic conditions. She also highlighted the work carried out and progress observed in the field of nature and environmental protection in the country, and presented information on the projects implemented by the IDEA Public Union, established in 2011, for the protection of endangered wildlife in Azerbaijan and the region. It was noted that five major animals in the Caucasus at risk of extinction have been identified, and a conservation action plan has been developed. In this context, more than one hundred gazelles have been reintroduced to their historical habitats in Azerbaijan under the IDEA Public Union’s project “Reintroduction of Gazelles to Their Historically Inhabited Areas in the Caucasus.”

In addition, on May 7, 2014, on the initiative of the IDEA Public Union, the first International Summit on the Biodiversity of the Caucasus was held, during which the conservation of leopards in the region was widely discussed.

In her speech, Leyla Aliyeva also provided information about other areas of activity of the IDEA Public Union, including the planting of more than three million trees in the country on IDEA’s initiative, measures to prevent deforestation, the organization of shelters for stray animals, the implementation of environmental events and competitions, and projects aimed at reducing industrial and household waste.

After the speech, Leyla Aliyeva answered the audience’s questions regarding Azerbaijan and the activities of the IDEA Public Union.

Among the speakers at the session, Luvuyo Mandela, the descendant of former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela, spoke about the importance of experience exchange and expanding protected areas, including reserves.

Sean Wilmore, President of the International Rangers Federation, in his speech emphasized the special role and the hazardous work of rangers in nature conservation and expressed his gratitude to them for their efforts.

On November 14, Leyla Aliyeva also held a number of bilateral meetings within the framework of the World Parks Congress.

During the meeting with Julia Marton-Lefevre, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Leyla Aliyeva provided information on the successful projects implemented by the IDEA Public Union, which she founded, in Azerbaijan and the region in the field of nature conservation, protection of the rich flora and fauna of the Caucasus region, and conservation of endangered wildlife, including rare animals. Leyla Aliyeva highly appreciated the joint projects and effective cooperation carried out with the IUCN since the establishment of the IDEA Public Union and emphasized the importance of further strengthening this partnership.

Ms. Marton-Lefevre described IDEA’s activities as exemplary and noted the significance of the implemented projects. The IUCN Director General also expressed her gratitude to Leyla Aliyeva for the regular support of IDEA’s nature conservation efforts.

Later, Leyla Aliyeva met with Mr. Frederic Launay, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Zayed Conservation Fund and Advisor to the Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency.

Leyla Aliyeva informed Mr. Launay about Azerbaijan’s rich nature, its favorable geographical location, the national parks and reserves established in the country, and the activities of the IDEA Public Union, which she founded, in the field of nature conservation in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region.

Mr. Frederic Launay spoke about the achievements in the field of nature and environmental protection on the Arabian Peninsula and noted the importance of the IDEA Public Union’s activities for Azerbaijan and the region in general.

As a result of both meetings, the parties agreed to continue cooperation and exchange experiences.