(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 5. President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent an appeal to the
participants of the Global Summit of Religious Leaders, held under
the motto“Religions of the World for a Green Planet,” within the
framework of the 29th session of the conference of the Parties to
the UN Framework convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku,
Trend reports.
The appeal reads:
"Dear Summit participants,
I sincerely welcome you to Baku on the occasion of the opening
of the Global Summit of Religious Leaders under the slogan“World
Religions for a Green Planet.”
Climate change, atmospheric and environmental pollution,
droughts and desertification, biodiversity loss, water scarcity,
food shortages, and other global environmental problems facing our
world today pose a serious threat to the existence and future of
humanity. Addressing the climate crisis and issues of environmental
security requires the cooperation of world states and the
unification of the international community's efforts at all levels.
I appreciate that influential religious leaders have gathered here
for COP events, demonstrating their concern for the fate of our
planet and their determination to contribute to the common cause in
the spirit of inclusivity.
The abundant spiritual resources of various faiths and beliefs
can stimulate solutions to the existential problems brought about
by climate change. Religious leaders worldwide can play a major
role in addressing these challenges.
The unanimous decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan is an
indicator of high confidence in the international reputation of our
country, and this is no coincidence. Azerbaijan has joined a number
of conventions and agreements related to environmental problems,
established cooperation with various countries, and adopted
multifaceted activity programs in this field. Effective
institutional mechanisms and an investment environment have been
put in place by creating the necessary legislative framework for
environmental protection in our country. Important steps are
currently being taken to implement“green energy” projects, the use
of alternative and renewable energy, as well as the evaluation and
elimination of the negative effects on the environment. The year
2024 has been declared the“Green World Solidarity Year” in
Azerbaijan.
Enhancing international security, peace and calm in the world is
one of the important factors to combat climate change and
environmental problems in general. In the recent past, our country
was involved in an unjust war, having been subjected to groundless
territorial claims, and had to experience the severe consequences
of this bloody war. During your visit to Karabakh, the ancient land
of Azerbaijan, you will have the opportunity to see the painful
consequences of such criminal acts as ecocide, culturicide, and
urbicide committed by Armenia in the 30 years of occupation. You
will see firsthand the large-scale reconstruction work underway in
our country based on the green economy and renewable energy in
order to restore the ecological balance in the region.
It has already become a tradition for Azerbaijan to host
prestigious events such as the Global Summit of Religious Leaders,
where human problems are discussed. I believe that the effective
activities of this Summit will further strengthen the status of our
country as a space for inter-civilizational dialogue and make a
significant contribution to the Baku Process on intercultural
cooperation. Your solidarity, wise suggestions, and recommendations
for the sake of a green world will support us in achieving common
goals.
Dear religious leaders!
I am sure that the Summit dedicated to these fateful problems
will be held under conditions of a constructive exchange of views
and to discuss the possibility of establishing a platform for
inter-religious cooperation within the framework of the COP.
Azerbaijan, the land of tolerance and multiculturalism, is the most
suitable place for this.
Once again, I wish you all the best and every success in your
benevolent activities for the future of mankind."
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