COP29 Uniform Distribution and Accreditation Centre Now Open

On October 19th, the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company hosted an opening ceremony for the COP29 Uniform Distribution and Accreditation Centre.   Attendees at the inauguration included Mukhtar Babayev, the President-Designate of COP29; Narmin Jarchalova, Chair of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company and Chief Operating Officer; Leyla Hasanova, the Youth Climate Champion for COP29; and Hikmat Mustafayev, Chief of Staff at the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company.  They explored the facilities of the Uniform Distribution and Accreditation Centre and witnessed the beginning of the accreditation and uniform distribution process.   The Centre is set to support nearly 10,000 individuals engaged in the organisation of the COP29 event, including staff, volunteers, and representatives from contractor companies. It will ensure the efficient and organised distribution of uniforms and accreditations necessary for accessat Baku Stadium.   The uniforms designed for the COP29 workforce have been  developed in line with sustainability principles. The clothing sets and their various elements are crafted from eco-friendly and recyclable materials. Moreover, in line with COP29’s commitment to reduce carbon footprint and emissions, uniforms are being provided by a local partner.   The COP29 Uniform Distribution and Accreditation Centre, located at the National Gymnastics Arena, will be open six days a week from 10:00 to 18:00.

Azerbaijan Prosecutor General’s Office and UNODC held a special session in Vienna

On October 17, a delegation led by Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev paid a working visit to Vienna.   A special session titled “Protecting People and Planet Through a Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Lens – From Vienna (UNTOC-COP12) to Baku (UNFCCC-COP29)” was organized by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).   Senior officials from foreign embassies accredited in Vienna, along with representatives from the Prosecutor General’s Offices of Austria and Thailand, the International Anti-Corruption Academy, and the International Association of Prosecutors, attended the event. The event was opened by Ghada Waly, UN Under-Secretary-General, Executive Director of UNODC, and Head of the Vienna Office. In her speech, she highly praised Azerbaijan’s efforts in preparing for COP29, the most significant climate conference to be held in the country this November.   Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev noted that the preparations for COP29, under the direct leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, were nearing completion. The attendees were informed about a high-level session titled “Mobilizing Law Enforcement for Enhanced Climate Action,” organized by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan and UNODC and co-chaired by the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates. This session is scheduled for November 15 as part of COP29.   A promotional video for COP29 was also shown.   Mr. Shahin Shahyarov, Senior Negotiator of COP29 outlined the vision and plans of the COP29 Presidency. The urgent need to address the environmental impact of organized crime was emphasized, as the link between the illegal activities and environmental harm is clear- driving ecosystem destruction and acceleration climate change.   Subsequently, Elnur Musayev and Erkin Alikhanov, directors from the Prosecutor General’s Office, shared insights on Azerbaijan’s progress in combating environmental crimes, the outcomes of the 29th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) held earlier in Baku, and details of the upcoming high-level session to be held within COP29.   During the visit, Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev held a bilateral meeting with UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly. The Prosecutor General expressed satisfaction with the robust cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United Nations, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between Azerbaijan’s law enforcement agencies and UNODC in combating transnational crime. Ghada Waly expressed her gratitude for the preparations for the joint event at COP29, praising the work done by the Azerbaijani Prosecutor’s Office.   Additionally, a meeting was held with the leadership of the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates. The greetings of Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the UAE, were conveyed to Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev. Gratitude was expressed to the Azerbaijani side for agreeing to co-chair the high-level session to be organized within the framework of COP29.     Rovshan Sadigbeyli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Austria was present at the meetings.

Accessible Infrastructure at COP29 for Inclusive Participation

The COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company is rolling out a range of initiatives at Baku Stadium to foster an inclusive atmosphere for the COP29 climate conference, to promote  accessibility and comfort for all attendees.   One of the seven core commitments of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company’s sustainability policy is to ensure inclusivity and accessibility, which is a top priority in organising this year’s  conference. To achieve this, the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company for the first time in COP history will provide sign language interpretation services at the COP29 Plenary Hall. The Baku Stadium will also have an audio induction system for individuals with hearing and speech impairments. Sign language interpreters will be on hand to facilitate accessibility during sessions and panel discussions.   The design of the event venue has been thoughtfully crafted to include designated zones and rooms with contrast colours for individuals with visual impairments. Individuals with vision challenges will also have access to coloured door signs, information boards, venue maps, and a range of brochures produced in Braille to help them navigate the venue with ease.  Notably, the majority of these materials have been developed by individuals with visual impairments residing in Azerbaijan.   To guarantee inclusive access to event information, there will be a dedicated  accessibility information point throughout the conference Here, sunflower symbol ribbons will be provided for individuals with invisible disabilities, along with a Braille-designed venue map. In addition, there will be a wheelchair maintenance service, featuring check-ups and technical support, as well as a charging station for electric wheelchairs. Spare wheelchairs will also be available for those in need.   Furthermore, to facilitate the movement of individuals with physical disabilities throughout the venue, appropriate ramps and lifts will be installed, along with designated parking spaces, accessible restrooms, and quiet rooms. To enhance access to the event venue, “green crossing” zones will be created at Pedestrian Screening Areas (PSAs), and tactile maps will be installed at the entrances to the Blue and Green Zones, another first in COP event history.   The commitments to accessibility and inclusivity will extend to accommodation and transportation services. Participants will receive a detailed list of accessible lodging options, along with various transport alternatives to ensure seamless travel to and from Baku Stadium.   To support individuals with physical disabilities attending the event and foster an inclusive environment, the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company is organising targeted training sessions for its staff, COP29 volunteers, and personnel from various service sectors.  During these training sessions, company employees and volunteers will develop the essential skills needed to assist all participants.