Climate changes negatively impacted Gobustan Rock Art, Deputy Minister says

“The decision of holding the COP29 event in our country is an indication of the great trust of the international community in Azerbaijan,” said Saadat Yusifova, the Deputy Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan during her speech at a panel session on “Preservation of the past and the future: cultural heritage in the context of climate change” held within framework of the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, APA reports.

She reminded that the year 2024 was also declared as the "Green World Solidarity Year" by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev: “Azerbaijan is ready to contribute to climate change.”

The Deputy Minister said during her speech that samples of cultural heritage in Azerbaijan are also not insured against climate changes: “Climate changes have also negatively impacted Gobustan Rock Art. Climate changes do not bypass architectural monumets as well.”

Saadat Yusifova drew attention to the fact that it has been observed the water level in the Caspian Sea and the water level in the Kur and Araz rivers have decreased.

“It should be noted that climate changes accelerate soil erosion as well. The melting of glaciers and the increase in the number of floods are observed,” – she added.