A panel discussion on "Protecting Leopards in the Context of Climate Change" was held as part of COP29. The event was organized by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, IDEA Public Union (International Dialogue for Environmental Action), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
According to Report, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of IDEA, noted that climate change and negative trends in the global ecological system threaten many living species, including Caucasian leopards. She emphasized that rising temperatures and numerous other natural disasters make it difficult for leopards to survive in the wild.
Project participants were presented with detailed information about IDEA's activities, including the "Leopard Population Recovery in Azerbaijan" project, implemented by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in cooperation with WWF. This project has made a significant contribution to increasing the leopard population in the country.
Leyla Aliyeva mentioned that the 2014 Caucasus Biodiversity Summit drew attention to issues of ecological balance and fauna protection in the South Caucasus. According to her, thanks to the measures taken, the leopard population in Azerbaijan has reached 23 individuals in recent years.
In conclusion, she called for strengthening international efforts for effective leopard protection.