London: Vice-President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended a Flagship Climate Dialogue in London, focusing on ‘Sea Level Fluctuations and Unequal Consequences: Case Studies from the Caspian Sea and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)’. The event was held at Marlborough House and organized in partnership with the Commonwealth of Nations, involving representatives from 56 countries, diplomatic corps, the British Foreign Office, and numerous climate organizations.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Leyla Aliyeva addressed the decline in the Caspian Sea’s water level, attributing it to water loss and plastic pollution over the past three decades. She called for practical actions ahead of COP30 and highlighted the IDEA Public Association’s role in nature conservation. Aliyeva emphasized that the treatment of nature reflects the treatment of humanity, expressing hope for the Caspian Sea’s future.

Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President and Climate Issues Representative for Azerbaijan, urged international solidarity for the Caspian Sea, akin to the Amazon’s protection. He noted Azerbaijan’s collaboration with the UN Environment Program on an action plan for the Caspian Sea from 2025 to 2035 and the joint declaration by Caspian littoral states at COP29. Babayev stressed the importance of fulfilling COP29 commitments and increasing climate finance to restore trust.

Suddhoo Arjoon, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General, commended Azerbaijan’s COP29 Presidency for addressing challenges faced by small island states. He highlighted a cooperation project supporting climate action in these countries, stemming from a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between the COP29 Presidency and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Tim Hemmings, the British Foreign Office’s Special Envoy for Small Island States, reviewed COP29’s progress and praised the event’s focus on sea-level challenges. He noted the British Foreign Office’s projects supporting these issues.

Michael Fishbach, co-founder of ‘Whale Guardians’, underscored the Caspian Sea’s biodiversity and its falling level as indicative of broader global oceanic issues. He lauded Azerbaijan’s leadership at COP29 and its green energy initiatives, emphasizing the protection and revival of marine ecosystems like the Caspian Sea.

Ambassadors from small island states, including the Bahamas, Maldives, and Antigua and Barbuda, expressed gratitude for the focus on rising sea levels threatening their countries. The event concluded with an exhibition on Azerbaijani nature and an official reception.