Azerbaijan was represented at COP17 – PHOTO
Milli Majlis deputy Parvana Valiyeva took part in the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17), held in Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar.
As AZERTAC reports, a number of discussions were held within the framework of the event, which brought together high-ranking officials from 196 countries, representatives of international organizations, experts, parliamentarians, and members of academic circles.
On August 25, during the High-Level Parliamentary Forum, P. Valiyeva presented Azerbaijan's experience, touching upon global challenges related to land degradation, desertification, drought, and sustainable water resources management.
The deputy noted that Azerbaijan has formed a comprehensive legal and policy framework in the field of protecting land, forests, and biodiversity, as well as managing specially protected natural areas. She also emphasized the importance of the National Drought Plan and the commitment to restore 270,000 hectares of territory by 2030 within the framework of the Bonn Challenge initiative.
P. Valiyeva pointed out the particular importance of environmental restoration issues in the territories liberated from occupation. It was emphasized that contamination with mines and unexploded ordnance, as well as the damage inflicted on infrastructure and natural ecosystems over many years, necessitate comprehensive restoration measures in these territories.
The deputy also took part in a round table of parliamentarians within the framework of COP17, dedicated to the issue of synergy between the Rio conventions under Türkiye's presidency at COP31. Speaking about the results achieved during Azerbaijan's presidency of COP29, she drew attention to the role of parliaments in improving environmental legislation and fulfilling global commitments at the local level.
Within the framework of COP17, Azerbaijan was elected a member of the Central and Eastern Europe Regional Group of the conference Bureau and vice-president of COP17. At the same time, the Azerbaijani delegation chaired the plenary discussions.
Along with this, Azerbaijan's successful chairmanship of the Central and Eastern Europe Regional Group, covering the years 2024-2026, came to an end. Due to the impossibility of electing a new chair, on the basis of a unanimous decision of the Regional Group, an agreement was reached on Azerbaijan continuing its activity as co-chair.
