Baku, September 10, AZERTAC
The Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW2026) featured a roundtable titled “Cultural Heritage and Biodiversity Conservation in the Turkic Civilization: From Shared Traditions to Joint Action”.
In his remarks, Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and President of COP29, highlighted the crucial role of the Hirkan Forests in efforts to preserve Azerbaijan’s natural heritage.
According to him, this ancient ecosystem is an integral part of a transboundary UNESCO World Heritage site shared with neighboring countries, underscoring the importance of scientific research and effective protected-area management.
Addressing the roundtable, Nigar Arpadarai, Azerbaijani MP and Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29, highlighted the Turkic peoples’ centuries-long connection with nature and with one another.
According to her, this shared heritage provides an opportunity to enhance cooperation among the Turkic states.
Other keynote speakers included Saken Kalkamanov, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan’s International Green Technologies and Investment Projects Center; Hijran Huseynova, Chairwoman of the Committee for Family, Women’s and Children’s Affairs of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis; Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture; Fariz Ismayilzade, a member of the Milli Majlis; Aytaj Alisultanli, Member of the Board of Directors of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve; and Ceyda Öztosun, a member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Türkiye National Committee and the International Committee on Underwater Cultural Heritage (ICOMOS ICUCH).