BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 10. On September 10, 2026, within the framework of the Baku Climate Action Week, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation organized a round table entitled “Cultural Heritage and Biodiversity Conservation in the Turkic Civilization: From Shared Traditions to Joint Action”.
The event opened with remarks by the President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Professor Aktoty Raimkulova, who also moderated the round table. The President of the Foundation expressed her gratitude to all partners for providing the necessary conditions and support for the organization of the event.
The official speakers of the round table included Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and COP29 President; Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Climate Champion and Member of the Milli Majlis; Hijran Huseynova, Chair of the Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs of the Milli Majlis; Fariz Ismailzade, Member of the Milli Majlis; Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage; Aytaj Alisultanli, Member of the Board of the Administration of the State Historical-Architectural Reserve “Icherisheher”; Saken Kalkamanov, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhstan’s JSC “International Green Technologies and Investment Projects Center”; Kambar Omarov, Member of the Board of Directors and Independent Director of JSC “ZHASYL DAMU”; Dr. Hakan Öniz, Head of the Department of Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage at Akdeniz University and Director of the Scientific Committee of the World Underwater Federation; and Ceyda Öztosun, Member of the ICOMOS Türkiye National Committee and the ICOMOS International Committee on Underwater Cultural Heritage.
The speakers addressed the impact of climate change on cultural heritage, the interconnection between cultural and natural heritage, biodiversity conservation, the preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge and practices, and ways to strengthen the resilience of cultural heritage to climate-related risks. They also discussed the importance of enhancing cooperation in this field among government institutions, international organizations, experts, and countries. Particular emphasis was placed on expanding joint projects and practical initiatives aimed at safeguarding the shared Turkic heritage and passing it on to future generations.
The event was also attended by Sabina Aliyeva, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Birol Akgün, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to the Republic of Azerbaijan; María Victoria Romero Caballero, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Mexican States to the Republic of Azerbaijan; representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan; representatives of TURKPA, ICESCO and other international organizations; scholars and experts from various countries, as well as members of the media.
The discussions held within the framework of the round table provided an important platform for exchanging views on developing common approaches to the preservation of cultural heritage and biodiversity, sharing existing experience, and identifying new areas of cooperation among the countries of the Turkic world.
The event continued with an open discussion.
