Azernews.Az

A special panel discussion and exhibition program under the name of FINS Initiative (International Protection of Marine Species) will be held in Baku within the framework of COP29, aiming to highlight the importance of protecting the world’s waters and underwater ecosystems.

Azernews reports that the photo exhibition is dedicated to the underwater world and the importance of the creatures living in the world’s waters, highlighting the importance of their protection. When discussing the topic of climate change, it is impossible not to take into account the waters that cover 70% of the world and their ecosystems. Protecting this ecosystem is of great importance because when the balance is disturbed, the threats that arise can be more serious than we think.

Unfortunately, there are threats to marine life in many parts of the world. More than 100 million sharks are killed worldwide every year, and in some countries, dolphin hunting is legal and even customary. For example, in Denmark and Iceland, dolphin hunting is protected by law. In Norway, whaling is legal and supported by the state, and the quotas for this hunt are increasing every year. The fact that this whale meat is turned into pet food is of great concern.

It is not enough to limit hunting alone to protect whales. Currently, large cargo ships all over the world also pose a serious threat to their lives. These ships often hit whales and pose a risk to their lives.

Norway is currently discussing opening its deep waters to local mining companies. This area is the size of Great Britain, and more than 800 international scientists have signed a petition to stop mining, stating that this activity will harm underwater ecosystems.

As FINS Initiative, our goal is to bring these important issues to the table at COP29. Over the course of 11 days, we will organize panel discussions with foreign experts, presentations, and screenings of documentary films on the topic in our pavilion set up in the green zone. Our goal is to discuss the problems of the world's oceans, including our Caspian Sea, and prepare a joint statement to propose to COP29. We hope that as a result of these discussions, we will find new ways to protect the Caspian Sea and the world's waters through new technologies and approaches.

Let us recall that 20 years ago, it was common to see walruses on the shores of the Caspian Sea, but today this has become a rare occurrence. This indicates a decrease in their number and an ecological threat to the Caspian Sea. As the FINS Initiative, we will continue to support initiatives aimed at protecting our Caspian and the world's waters.