BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 30. A high-level
panel discussion on “Strengthening Environmental Governance and
International Cooperation for the Protection of the Caspian Sea”
was held at the UN headquarters in Geneva, co-organized by the
Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and
other international organizations in Geneva, the Caspisnet
Scientific Network and the Secretariat of the Tehran Convention,
Trend reports.
Addressing the official part of the event, Heydar Aliyev
Foundation VP Leyla Aliyeva, highlighted the global significance of
the Caspian Sea, the environmental threats it currently faces, and
the importance of the science-based cooperation to preserve it for
future generations. Leyla Aliyeva emphasized that the ongoing
shrinking in sea levels and the loss of biodiversity could result
in increasingly severe consequences unless timely, coordinated
measures are implemented. She urged the event participants to
maintain discussions on the Caspian Sea, pursuing concrete steps
that yield tangible results.
Speaking at the event, Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the
UN Office at Geneva, and Galib Israfilov, Permanent Representative
of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the UN Office and other
international organizations in Geneva, underlined the paramount
importance of such discussions in fostering dialogue between
government agencies, international organizations, and the expert
community. The speakers underscored that enhancing institutional
collaboration in environmental governance, alongside the active
exchange of information and experience, will significantly bolster
collective efforts to protect the Caspian Sea.
The discussions were followed by panel sessions featuring an
exchange of views among key participants, including Arnold
Kreilhuber, Regional Director of the UN Environment Programme’s
Europe Office, and Francesca Racioppi, Head of Office at WHO
European Centre for Environment and Health, who were joined by
leaders and representatives from the University of Geneva, the
Geneva Water Hub, and Caspisnet, as well as several other
international organizations and think tanks. The discussions
focused on environmental governance, the critical role of
scientific research, and the significance of international
collaboration and water diplomacy in protecting the Caspian Sea,
resulting in the proposal of various strategic initiatives.
Afterwards, a short documentary highlighting the environmental
challenges facing the Caspian Sea was screened. The event concluded
with an interactive Q&A session.