Heydar Aliyev Center to host Caucasian Biodiversity Summit
By Nigar Orujova
The Heydar Aliyev Center is set to host the Caucasian Biodiversity Summit on May 7.
Organized by IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Protection) in partnership with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Heydar Aliyev Center, the event will focus on protection of environment and wild animals.
IDEA has so far implemented a number of projects aimed at protection of flora and fauna in Azerbaijan and the region as a whole.
Among them, the project "Big Five of the Caucasus" developed by IDEA to protect five species of animals under the threat of extinction is of great importance.
Along with Azerbaijani scientists, the event is expected to be attended by renowned international experts and representatives of several prestigious organizations, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Smithsonian Institute, Zoological Society of London and Harvard University.
The summit is expected to focus on application of modern and rational ways to protect leopards and other felines, and exchange experience in the field.
A project on protection of the Caucasian leopard, creation of a favorable environment for this specie in Azerbaijan and ways to increase their numbers, will be presented at the event.
The summit will also see presentation of a film on the nature and fauna of Azerbaijan, as well as the activities of IDEA campaign, which was launched on July 12, 2011, by Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.
The IDEA is implementing large-scale local and international projects to protect the environment, promote innovative approaches to solve environmental problems.
The campaign is based on the principles of dialogue, action, leadership, and education - all the essential components for equipping a generation with means of fostering positive and sustainable environmental change.
It is mainly focusing on the power of youth, considering it an important tool in changing the way we behave and consume our surrounding natural world.