BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 10. Cooperation on
the protection of nature and biodiversity should be strengthened,
the Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
on Climate issues and COP29 President, Mukhtar Babayev, said at the
event held within the framework of the Baku Climate Action Week
2026, Trend's
correspondent reports from the event.


According to him, Azerbaijan is expanding cooperation with the
countries of the Turkic world in the field of nature and
biodiversity protection.


Babayev noted that the Hyrcanian forests are one of the examples
that demonstrate the importance of cooperation in the protection of
natural heritage.


"This ancient ecosystem is currently part of a transnational
UNESCO World Heritage site that Azerbaijan shares with neighboring
countries. Its protection demonstrates the importance of bringing
together science, management of specially protected areas, and
local knowledge," he explained.


He also said that Azerbaijan is expanding its efforts to protect
nature at the national level.


"With the recent establishment of two new national parks, the
number of national parks in Azerbaijan has reached 12. Specially
protected natural areas account for more than 10.5% of the
country's territory," Babayev emphasized.


The COP29 President said that Shusha's experience in the field
of cultural cooperation can also be applied to the protection of
nature and biodiversity.







"Shusha, which became the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World
in 2023 and the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2024, has
become an important platform for bringing our cultures and
institutions closer together. We must build on this experience and
apply the same spirit of cooperation to cooperation in the field of
nature and biodiversity," he said.


Babayev pointed out that the Turkic world has diverse ecosystems
and shared traditions related to natural resources.


"From mountains and forests to steppes, swamps, and the Caspian
Sea, our region has diverse ecosystems. At the same time, we share
many traditions of living with and managing natural resources," he
emphasized.


According to him, traditional knowledge should be combined with
modern conservation approaches, and practical experience should be
exchanged between countries.


"Our national parks can cooperate directly. Our scientists and
foresters can conduct joint research, training, and biodiversity
monitoring. By linking cultural heritage with nature conservation,
we can strengthen both the protection and international recognition
of these unique landscapes and traditions," Babayev noted.


"Let us build on our solid foundation of friendship and
cooperation throughout the Turkic world. Our culture has taught us
to respect nature. Today, it's our responsibility to translate this
common value into joint action," he added.