BAKU: Azerbaijan’s Baku Olympic Stadium is undergoing final preparations to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change this November, with recent developments including a media tour of the enhanced facilities.
According to Trend News Agency, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Anar Alakbarov highlighted during the media tour that the Baku Olympic Stadium has been equipped with two large halls capable of seating 1,600 and 1,300 attendees respectively, with the larger hall named “Nizami.” He noted that the opening event and a summit of leaders will occur in the larger hall on November 11, with other significant events scheduled at the venue.
Director of Venue Management Department for COP29, Turan Suleymanov, emphasized the readiness of the COP29 Blue Zone, detailing the availability of 26 meeting rooms, 9 parallel event rooms, and a pavilion zone featuring 155 country pavilions equipped with essential technical support to facilitate me
etings. Guest comfort is a priority, with on-site services ensuring a conducive environment for participants.
The Green Zone, managed by Leyla Mahmudova, Head of Sponsorship and Partnership Division COP29 Azerbaijan, spans an impressive 37,500 square meters. It is designed to host dynamic pavilions for local and international businesses and public sector stakeholders, featuring 18 B2B spaces. While the pavilions require investment, the Green Zone will offer free access to the community, enhancing public engagement.
Pirim Pirimov, COP29 Media Operations Director, detailed the capabilities of the Media Center, which is set to accommodate 1,200 media representatives across a 6,325 square meter area. The center is equipped with 300 desks each for TV, radio broadcasters, and print media, alongside reservation-capable studios and standup positions. The media center will operate daily from 08:00 to 20:00 (GMT +4), with the accreditation process still underway.
The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan was made dur
ing the plenary meeting of COP28 in Dubai on December 11 last year. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, established at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, aims to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The annual COP meetings serve as the highest legislative body overseeing the convention’s implementation, with the first session held in Berlin in 1995.