Baku hosts first environment forum
By Nigar Orujova
The declaration of the First Azerbaijani Environment Forum was adopted on March 18.
Baku hosted the first Azerbaijani forum on environment at the initiative and with the organizational support of the Public Association IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Protection) on March 18.
The forum, which was held under the slogan "Together we will create a green future for Azerbaijan", brought together representatives of government agencies and NGOs operating in the field of environmental protection.
It played the role of a single platform for exchanging views on environmental issues that the country faces.
The declaration states that the Forum participants recognize the achievements of many countries, including Azerbaijan, in the sphere of environmental protection, and note the importance of studying their acquired experience as an integral part of the public policy.
They also emphasize the importance of media coverage of environmental issues for creating a ethics of the rational use of natural resources, the declaration stressed.
The document also said the forum participants emphasize the need to apply the principles of sustainable development, and called on all public and private organizations to conduct such activities, which would meet the requirements of ecological civilization and environmental ethics.
Meanwhile, the declaration stated that the forum participants urged national and international bodies, including various environmental organizations, to systematically hold forums, conferences, actions, trainings, discussions, and round-tables to achieve progress in solving the problems of protecting the environment and making use of the nature.
Speaking at the event, Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Huseyn Baghirov said Azerbaijan's development in all spheres is obvious, and the role of civil society is very important in the process.
Baghirov said a lot of work has been done in this area.
Many issues at the center of public attention are important for this activity, including landscape gardening, waste management, expansion of protected areas, and creation of a modern infrastructure to manage them better, he said.
He also pointed to the creation of the Environment Council in the ministry.
"Participation in the Council's meetings is open for all. Many important documents should be discussed in the Council, after which they are worked on with due consideration given to the opinion of NGOs."
There is a need for a strong civil society, Baghirov believes. "Inner strength and unity are very important. IDEA, which held this forum, implements important measures and supports large-scale projects."
Speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Baku Antonius Broek said joint work and mutual cooperation are important factors in protecting the environment.
Broek stressed that young people must also be drawn to this work, and expressed his appreciation for IDEA's active involvement of young people in this issue.
People around the world have begun to realize that they had related to the issues of environment protection in a wrong way before, he added.
Broek expressed confidence that the discussions held at the forum will have a significant impact on the future activities in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development, both in Azerbaijan and around the world.
Other guests who spoke at the forum also expressed their appreciation to the head of the Public Association IDEA and vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva for her unique initiatives in the field of environmental protection in Azerbaijan, and wished success for the IDEA's activities.