Azerbaijani President chairs meeting on environmental problems

In his opening remarks, the President said 2010 was declared the Year of Environment in Azerbaijan, adding the country placed a particular emphasis on solving environmental problems.

“We adopted a relevant program. It covers a wide range of spheres, and also stipulates mechanisms and financial resources for the execution of the measures set in the program.”

The President highlighted Azerbaijan`s social and economic achievements in the crisis year, stressing environmental problems “must be priority” at the same time.

The Head of State spoke of how the government had been tackling environmental problems, in particular the cleaning of oil-polluted areas and utilization of wastewater, sewage and household waste, and also outlined further priorities.

Other speakers - minister of ecology and natural resources Huseyngulu Baghirov, Baku Mayor Hajibala Abutalybov and president of the State Oil Company Rovnag Abdullayev – informed the President of projects aimed at solving environmental problems in Azerbaijan in 2010 and the years ahead.

The President stressed the importance of involving ordinary people in land improvement work in Baku and Absheron, which includes planting over 3 million trees.

President Ilham Aliyev described the putting of Hovsan Aeration Station in commission as “a tremendous contribution” to solving sewage problem in the capital, Baku.

The Head of State emphasized the significance of drawing up a project of re-utilization of wastewater on the basis of international experience.

The President also highlighted measures to improve the capital`s water supply system. “Construction of Oguz-Gabala-Baku water pipeline will be completed soon.”

President Ilham Aliyev also gave instructions to relevant officials to improve water supply system in regions, in particular increasing the number of modular facilities.

The Head of State highlighted measures to clean Baku bay, and stressed the possibility of desalinizing the Caspian water and using it for irrigation applying international experience.

The President also touched upon such issues as prevention of air pollution, protection of forests, drying up and transformation of lakes into resort areas and renewable energy sources.

/AzerTac/