Gland: On January 29, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and head and founder of the IDEA Public Union, met with Grethel Aguilar, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in Gland, Switzerland.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the meeting involved an exchange of views on the role of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges in Azerbaijan and the region. Discussions emphasized the importance of coordinated global and regional approaches and the potential for strengthening dialogue in these areas.

The IDEA Public Union, a full member of IUCN since 2014, actively participates in international initiatives aimed at nature conservation and biodiversity protection. This involvement contributes to expanding collaboration in this field, as highlighted during the meeting.

The participants reflected on the joint pavilion and other projects presented at the previous IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. They noted the positive experiences gained and expressed confidence in the continued success of their cooperation.

Further discussions included organizing a high-level regional dialogue with IUCN in Azerbaijan and exploring cooperation opportunities at international events like the World Urban Forum (WUF13), World Environment Day, and COP31.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a Declaration of Intent to expand cooperation ties and work towards opening an IUCN country office in Azerbaijan. Both parties regarded these discussions as a significant step in developing long-term and multilateral cooperation between the IDEA Public Union and IUCN.

The IUCN, established in 1948, is a leading international organization in environmental protection and sustainable development. It is known for establishing the Red List of Threatened Species in 1964, contributing to global ecological assessment and decision-making processes.