ASCO presented the "Art Plast" project as part of the "Year of Solidarity for a Green World" initiative

Presentation of “Art Plast” project implemented by ASCO under the “Less Plastic, More Life: Together for a Clean Sea” motto, which is part of the “Caspian Heritage” series within the framework of the “Solidarity for a Green World Year” initiative, took place.

The presentation was attended by Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and COP29 President-Designate, Khanlar Agalarov, Chairman of the Board, Seaside Boulevard Department, Rauf Valiyev, ASCO Chairman of the Management Board, as well as seafarers, environment engineers, volunteers, public and media representatives.

The event was opened by showing a video about the projects implemented by ASCO in the field of ecology.

Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and COP29 President-designate, spoke about the green movement policy implemented in Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. He said ASCO, as an international shipping company, plays an important role in this process by applying new technologies and switching to cleaner fuels.

The Minister also spoke about the importance of the “Art Plast” project implemented by ASCO on the territory of the Seaside Boulevard. He mentioned that installations created under the project reveal the idea of a different view of waste and such initiatives are of great importance in the fight against environmental pollution.

In his speech, Mukhtar Babayev emphasized active participation of Seaside Boulevard in such environmental projects and noted that the work done recently in the National Park is admirable.

In his speech, ASCO Chairman of the Board Rauf Veliyev spoke about the importance of declaring 2024 as “Year of Solidarity for a Green World” in Azerbaijan by the President Ilham Aliyev decree and hosting COP29 event in Baku. He also informed about ASCO's work on the goal of achieving zero emissions by 2050: “We have organized our activities in this direction in accordance with the state policy in the field of ecology, as well as the requirements of international conventions. This is a complex process that requires painstaking work. We are confident that by making efforts and working together we will overcome everything”.

Chairman added that each of us has responsibility to fight global climate change and as part of ASCO corporate social responsibility we are implementing various projects, including educational activities. One of them is “Art Plast” project held within the framework of the “Solidarity for a Green World Year” under the “Less Plastic, More Life: Together for a Clean Sea” motto, which aims to inform society about the importance of keeping environment clean, as well as to instill the idea of recycling waste into useful products.

At the end of his speech, Rauf Valiev thanked all those who participated in the creation of the project, as well as the management and staff of the Seaside Boulevard for their support and creation of conditions for placing the installations.

The event was continued by showing a video about clean-up action of the territory of “Bibi-Eybat” shipyard by “Marine Volunteers” created on the basis of ASCO Maritime College, “Surakhani” ship-museum and “Young Volunteers” public association together with “Eco Volunteers” of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources within the framework of “Art Plast” project, as well as a video about installations preparation process.

Also “Certificates of Appreciation” were presented to employees who made a significant contribution to the project at the event.

Guests were then introduced to the following installations - 5 meter long fish made of metal, plastic and other household waste, installations of seagull, seal and seahorse each over 2 meters high, 4 meter long world map made of plastic bottles, and flowerbeds made of decommissioned boats.

Guests were informed that eco-art installations, created through strenuous work of group of employees of ASCO “Zykh” ship construction and repair yard as well as “Bibi-Heybat” ship repair yard emphasize the importance of keeping the environment clean. They also draw attention to the threats of plastic pollution to ecosystem and demonstrate possibility of turning waste into useful products, including creation of works of art, thus emphasizing the importance of protecting marine life. Unique installation in the form of a perch fish will also be available for residents and tourists to recycle plastic waste. Collected wastes will be sent for recycling on a regular basis.

Later, guests disposed plastic waste collected by the volunteers into the fish-shaped installation. 

At the end, guests familiarized themselves with the exhibition halls of the ‘Surakhani’ ship-museum.

It should be noted that as part of the event “Surakhani” ship-museum announced "Open House Day" during which special master class on waste recycling was held for visitors. Additionally, guests were treated to an engaging musical program.

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