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Laman Ismayilova

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Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Conservation) Public Union Leyla Aliyeva has participated in the panel discussions on the topic "The role of marine mammals in the health of the marine ecosystem and climate change mitigation" held within the framework of the cooperation between IDEA Public Union and the Great Whale Conservancy, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the event organized within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Leyla Aliyeva emphasized the importance of marine life in ensuring ecological balance and climate sustainability.

Highlighting the role played by whales, the world's largest mammals, in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, Leyla Aliyeva said that despite the relevant moratorium that came into effect in 1985, whaling is still continued by a number of countries.

Then, the panel participants were informed that the population of Caspian seals has decreased by about six times compared to the beginning of the 20th century.

Touching upon the activities carried out by IDEA over the past 13 years, Leyla Aliyeva noted the awareness-raising activities carried out for youth and a wide audience, the cleaning of coastal areas with the participation of volunteers, the release of baby fish into the water, and a number of other measures aimed at protecting the unique biodiversity of the Caspian Sea.

Continuing the panel discussions, founder and director of the Great Whale Conservancy Michael Fishbach and general director of the Hasan Bey Zardabi Museum of Natural History Tariyel Eybatov, provided detailed information to the event participants about the importance of various marine creatures, including whales and seals, to the marine ecosystem, and the impact of water pollution on the environment.