Int'l canoe and kayak race held in Baku in support of COP29

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan Canoe and Rowing Federation (AKAF) has organized a swim in the waters of the Baku Boulevard under the motto "Row in clean water!" in support of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

The event dedicated to National Revival Day (November 17), was attended by the Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov, the Culture Minister Adil Karimli, the Chairman of JSC "Azerishig", the head of AKAF Vugar Ahmadov, the President of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) Jean-Christophe Rolland, the International Canoe Federation Thomas Konietzko, the International Dragon Boat Federation Claudio Schermi, the Honorary President of the Asian Rowing Federation and the Global Canoe Slalom Federation Wang Shi, the Chairman of the Board of Charles Regatta Frederic Schoch, the authorized representative of the Global Canoe Slalom Federation Ken Lee and more than 50 honorary guests who visited Azerbaijan as part of COP29.

The swim under the motto "Rowing on Clean Water" as part of the Global Canal Browning Action covers more than 100 cities around the world, and this time it acquired special significance in Baku.

The main goal of COP29 is to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The conference emphasizes the urgent need for solid investments in climate action. This approach involves increasing ambition through national plans and transparency while incentivizing action with effective financing to reduce emissions and eliminate climate impacts.

A memorandum of cooperation was signed between AKAF and Deep Dive, which operates 22 water sports centers in 13 cities in China, within the framework of which mutual visits will be carried out between athletes from Azerbaijan and China, exchange of experience, competitions will be organized, etc. The memorandum was signed by AKAF Secretary General Farhad Aliyev and Global Canal Browning Action co-initiator Ken Li.

Interestingly, the heads of international federations also took part in the swim. The guests were presented with a concert program and national pavilions.