BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 27. The Baku
Declaration has established a common framework for climate action
in tourism, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency, Fuad Naghiyev,
said during a discussion titled "Tourism for a shared future: how
inclusivity, equality, and community leadership contribute to
peacebuilding" held as part of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural
Dialogue in Baku on Tuesday, Trend’s correspondent reports from the event.


According to him, the Baku Declaration on Enhancing Climate
Action in Tourism has brought together states and non-state actors
around the goals of reducing emissions and adapting to climate
change.


He noted that the declaration has established a common framework
for advancing climate action within the tourism sector.


Naghiyev recalled that, within the framework of COP29, hosted by
Azerbaijan in 2024, a joint Tourism Day was organized by the State
Tourism Agency, UN Tourism, and the COP29 Presidency. This marked
the first such event at a UN climate conference, helping to draw
greater attention to the role of tourism in combating climate
change.


The agency’s chairman pointed out that, since 2013, tourism has
been a significant component of the discussions held within the
framework of the Baku Process forum. These discussions bring
together experts from various countries around the world to explore
tourism's potential for fostering intercultural understanding,
preserving cultural heritage, and creating new opportunities for
cooperation.


According to him, the tourism sessions addressed topics such as
the promotion of mutual understanding and tolerance, social
inclusion, support for local communities, and the construction of a
more sustainable future. In collaboration with UN Tourism, best
practices were also examined that demonstrate how tourism
contributes to the recovery of communities in the post-conflict
period, as well as to the promotion of mutual respect, unity, and
peace.







Naghiyev remarked that tourism plays a significant role in
bringing people closer together. Through tourism, people get to
know one another and learn about different cultures and
traditions.


"By discovering new places, people broaden their worldviews and
become more tolerant. Tourism builds bridges between people,
helping them to understand and respect one another despite their
differences," he emphasized.


The head of the agency pointed out that not everyone has equal
opportunities to participate in tourism. Persons with disabilities
may encounter difficulties while traveling, while women and local
communities may have more limited opportunities to benefit from the
sector.


"Therefore, it’s essential to make travel more accessible,
support women in tourism, and give local communities a greater
voice in the development of tourism destinations. By making tourism
more inclusive, we can ensure that its benefits reach more people,
and contribute to building stronger, fairer, and more peaceful
societies," Naghiyev added.