Antalya, The Europe Today: Leyla Aliyeva at COP31 spent a busy day in diplomacy. In a series of high-level meetings on November 14, she pushed Azerbaijan’s youth, environmental education and the future of the Caspian Sea onto the world climate agenda. Aliyeva is Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union. Her talks with the head of ICESCO and with two leading international ocean conservationists marked one of the most active days for Azerbaijan’s delegation at the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Leyla Aliyeva at COP31 Meets ICESCO Chief: A New Green Deal for Azerbaijani Youth
On the sidelines of the summit, Leyla Aliyeva met Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). They discussed how to widen cooperation between the IDEA Public Union and ICESCO.
Young people were at the centre of the talks. Both sides looked at creating new ways for Azerbaijani youth to gain international experience in environmental protection and sustainable development. This could give a new generation of young Azerbaijanis a real place in the global climate movement.
They also discussed joint initiatives to bring environmental education into schools. These would cover greening, waste sorting, water conservation and energy efficiency, the everyday habits that experts say are key to long-term climate resilience.
Eco Summer Camps and Biodiversity Campaigns on the Table
One of the most eye-catching ideas was a plan for international environmental summer camps in Azerbaijan, bringing together young people from different countries. The two sides also explored joint awareness campaigns on biodiversity conservation.
The meeting also looked at support for youth work in environmental innovation. Both sides discussed joint efforts to develop new solutions in four areas:
reducing air pollution
improving waste management
protecting water resources
helping communities adapt to climate change
Saving the Caspian Sea: Talks With Global Ocean Experts
In a second meeting the same day, Leyla Aliyeva sat down with Max Bello, Global Ocean Expert at the Blue Marine Foundation, and Michael Fishbach, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Great Whale Conservancy.
The main topic was the falling water level of the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water. They discussed how the decline is affecting the marine ecosystem, biodiversity and coastal areas. They also discussed stronger international cooperation to tackle these environmental problems.
The talks covered expanding marine protected areas in Azerbaijan and protecting the Caspian seal and other rare marine species, along with their natural habitats. Both sides also explored sharing international experience and building closer cooperation on marine conservation.
Tonga’s Prime Minister Visits the Azerbaijan Pavilion
Azerbaijan’s presence at the summit drew more high-profile interest the same day. Lord Fatafehi Fakafānua, Prime Minister of Tonga, visited the Azerbaijan pavilion at COP31. He was briefed on its stands and the projects on display. The visit is notable because small Pacific island nations like Tonga are among the countries most exposed to the effects of climate change.
Why It Matters
The day’s meetings show Azerbaijan building on its climate diplomacy after hosting COP29 in Baku. By linking youth empowerment, green education and protection of the Caspian Sea, Leyla Aliyeva at COP31 set out a vision that ties local environmental problems to global solutions. If the plans for summer camps, school programmes and marine protection go ahead, young Azerbaijanis and the Caspian’s fragile ecosystem could see real benefits.
