No:169/25, Press release on the International COP Simulation Conference in Khankendi
26 April 2025 16:57
On 26 April 2025, the “International COP Simulation Conference” was organized at Karabakh University located in the city of Khankendi, jointly organized by the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization and the Eurasian Regional Center of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum.
At the opening ceremony of the international event, attended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Science and Education, leading universities of Azerbaijan, and 60 young representatives from foreign countries, speeches were delivered by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and COP29 Chief Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Science and Education Metin Karimli, Rector of Karabakh University Shahin Bayramov, Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization and COP29 Youth Climate Champion Leyla Hasanova, and Director of the ICYF Eurasian Regional Center Rafiq Ismayilov.
The speakers noted the symbolic significance of holding the first national event of Azerbaijan’s COP29 presidency in liberated Khankendi, hosted by Karabakh University, emphasized the importance of active participation of youth in global processes related to environmental protection and climate change, and highlighted the implementation prospects of the decisions adopted during COP29 held in Baku in November 2024, as well as its contributions to global environmental processes.
Subsequently, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elshad Iskandarov delivered the opening lecture of the Conference, providing young participants with detailed information about Azerbaijan’s initiatives in the field of the peace-climate nexus and the Baku Call on Climate and Peace Action adopted during COP29. Emphasizing that during the occupation period these territories were subjected to ecological destruction and massive mine contamination, the ambassador noted that the resolution of the conflict has opened the way for the environmental protection of this unique natural area of universal importance.
During the two-day event, young participants will be divided into working groups and will discuss issues such as the effectiveness of efforts undertaken in different countries to address global climate change, the role of youth in this process, alternative energy, and the concept of a green world.
Within the framework of the Conference, it is planned to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the ICYF Eurasian Regional Center and the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization, as well as the Khankendi Youth Pact.
