On 4 December 2021, final tree-planting within the 2021 Green Marathon campaign and a cycling rally under UNDP's EU4Climate project to mark the European Mobility Week took place in Absheron National Park with participation of Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of IDEA Leyla Aliyeva.

The event was also attended by Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Defence Industry, President of the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation Madat Guliyev, as well as representatives from the United Nations, European Union, International Organization for Migration, ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Belgium, Tajikistan, Bulgaria, Greece and Israel, and other representatives of diplomatic corps.

During the event, one millionth tree of 2021 was planted within the Green Marathon – a nation-wide tree planting campaign, run by IDEA and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

As part of the campaign, masstive tree planting events have taken place accross the country in the spring and autumn of the current year. Trees like oleaster, pine, beech, cypress, acacia, maple, ash, walnut, oak, chestnut, olive and other local ones were planted in accordance with the soil and climatic conditions of different planting locations.

The main goal of the campaign is to increase the green areas and contribute to the protection of nature and the environment.

Financed by the European Union, the EU4Climate project supports the partner countries in the integration and implementation of climate change-resistant and low-emission targets under the Paris Agreement. As part of this project, a cycling race, along with the other events, was held in Absheron National Park, aiming to promote sustainable transport in the country and mark the European Mobility Week.

These environmental events carried the mission to support the global efforts on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions set at the UN’s Climate Change Conference COP 26 that was held in Glasgow in November of this year.

IDEA Public Union calls on everyone to do their part to protect the environment and contribute to the increase of greeneryat a time when actions to fight climate change and protect our Planet are seen taking place all over the world.