A conference was held on "Role of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in environmental protection in Azerbaijan".

On May 20, a conference on "Role of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in environmental protection in Azerbaijan" was held at the Batabat Astrophysical Observatory in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic under the organization of the authorized representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan State University, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the Council of Trade Unions.    
At the conference dedicated to the 101st anniversary of the birth of the National Leader, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" and the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - COP29, the dear memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and our martyrs was commemorated with a minute of silence.    
Fuad Najafli, authorized representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, greeted everyone and wished success to the work of the conference. The authorized representative said that National Leader Heydar Aliyev carried out complex measures in the direction of protecting the ecological balance during both periods of his leadership in our country, and a fundamental change was made in the field of environmental protection. As a result of the work done, the rich diversity of flora and fauna of our country has been preserved, and the efficient use of natural resources has been kept in mind as a priority. In our country, state institutions regulating activities in this field have been established, and at the same time, an advanced legislative base has been formed. In accordance with the provisions of Azerbaijan's development concept, the unity of economic development with ecological balance has been achieved. In a word, along with other areas, the new environmental policy formulated by the Great Leader in the field of environmental protection created the basis for fully ensuring people's right to live in a healthy environment.  
Fuad Najafli, recalling the views of the eminent statesman, "Those who harm nature, cut down trees, pollute and spoil nature, are the enemies of our society and all of us", pointed out that the visionary policy of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, including recommendations in the field of ecology, are being successfully continued today by the President of the country. According to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, dated December 25, 2023, 2024 was declared the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" in our country. He also noted that one of the five national priorities for socio-economic development of Azerbaijan until 2030 is the "Clean environment and green growth country" approach. In accordance with that priority, the main goal is to improve the environment in our country, ensure efficient use of water resources and sustainable energy sources. The President of the country has already declared the freed Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, as well as the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, a green energy zone, the restoration of the ecosystem, the application of innovative approaches such as "smart city" and "smart village" have begun.
The authorized representative emphasized that, as in every part of the world, unstable weather conditions are felt in Azerbaijan, which makes it necessary to hold country-level events related to climate problems, including scientific and practical conferences. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - COP29 will be held in our country this year. It goes without saying that thanks to the political will and international influence of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan will make important contributions to the fight against climate change within the framework of COP29. Today, the works done by the President of Azerbaijan and the existing legislative system in our country allow the implementation of systematic measures in the field of environmental protection. At the conference on "Role of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in environmental protection in Azerbaijan", attention will be paid once again to the measures implemented in this field in our country and new goals will be determined.  
Fuad Najafli pointed out that our head of state declared Nakhchivan a green energy zone as part of activities aimed at environmental protection in Azerbaijan and emphasized that specific projects will be implemented in this direction. In the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, a meeting was held under the leadership of the authorized representative office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, together with relevant institutions, on the declaration of 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" in our country, the Working Group on the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" and COP29 was formed, and measures were started in this direction. Noting that today's conference is also important in this sense, the authorized representative wished success to the work of the conference, thanked the organizers and participants, and ended his speech with the thoughts of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, "I want you all to be nature protectors."
Rector of Nakhchivan State University Elbrus Isayev highlighted the importance of the conference. He noted that COP29, which is one of the most prestigious events in the world, will contribute to the wider development of Azerbaijan in terms of economic and tourism, along with political and other directions. The Rector emphasized that the process of rapid urbanization is currently underway in the countries of the world. Today, this process is 50 percent. Observations show that urbanization will exceed 70 percent in 2050. It is important to increase the volume of environmental measures in order to eliminate the complications that this process will bring. It is no coincidence that in the "State Program for the socio-economic development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for the years 2023-2027", the protection and development of the ecosystem is defined as one of the priority areas. Elbrus Isayev, who emphasized the need for a wider study of the ecological environment of Nakhchivan, said that the conference will be an important contribution to the COP29 events.
Khanlar Mustafayev, deputy minister of ecology and natural resources of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, acting minister, talking about the work done in the direction of environmental protection, said that there is 1 national park and 3 state nature reserves in Nakhchivan. This is about 149 thousand hectares or 28 percent of the territory of the autonomous republic. 211 species of flora and 131 species of fauna in the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, included in the "Red Book" of the Republic of Azerbaijan, are protected in Specially Protected Nature Areas. Khanlar Mustafayev pointed out that climate change, environmental protection and transition to "green energy" are among the most important priorities in the world today. Compared to the base year, Azerbaijan has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030, and by 40 percent by 2050. Azerbaijan aims to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the installed capacity of electricity production to 30 percent by 2030. Tree planting actions are being held in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in accordance with the relevant orders of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev on declaring 2023 as the "Year of Heydar Aliyev" and 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" in the Republic of Azerbaijan. One of the five national priorities of Azerbaijan's socio-economic development until 2030 is "Clean environment and green growth country". The main goal of these actions is to contribute to the preservation of the ecological balance and the health of the environment in the country, to commemorate the dear memory of the Great Leader, to continue the greening traditions of the great personality, to promote ecological culture and care for nature among people.
Gazanfar Abdullayev, Deputy Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Council of Trade Unions of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, said that Azerbaijan, as a reliable and responsible member of the international community, contributes to the fight against the consequences of climate change, and important steps are being taken to improve the environment, restore and increase greenery, and ensure the efficient use of water resources and sustainable energy sources. The "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" has set a new agenda for the environment and green development. Today, the main task facing every citizen and every field is to support these important actions. The Council of Trade Unions of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan also expands its activities in this area and closely participates in the activities carried out in the direction of environmental protection and joins tree planting actions.    
Alovsat Guliyev, correspondent member of ANAS, general director of the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, "Efficient use of soil and water resources in the protection of the environment in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic", vice-rector for science and innovation of Nakhchivan State University, doctor of philosophy in biology Elsever Asadov "Heydar Aliyev and the nature of Azerbaijan", professor of the Chair of Pharmacy and Biochemistry of Nakhchivan State University, full member of ANAS Tariyel Talibov "Rare, endemic and valuable specimens of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic" and Tural Askerov, head of the chair of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, made reports on "Works carried out in the field of environmental protection and proper use of waste".
The event continued with the artistic part. The music ensemble of Nakhchivan State University Music College performed love songs.
Then a greening action was held in Batabat area of ​​Zangezur National Park named after Academician Hasan Aliyev. The authorized representative planted a tree with volunteer students of the university. During planting, the seeds of bush plants suitable for the climatic conditions of the area were also used.
Fuad Najafli took a commemorative photo with volunteer students. Students displayed posters dedicated to the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World".
Within the framework of the conference, teachers and students of the Faculty of Arts of Nakhchivan State University organized a study on the mysterious nature of the Batabat plateau.  
Within the framework of the conference, a cleaning action was held in Batabat territory with the participation of volunteer students.