30/06/2015
In Featured, Members Area
Azerbaijan Minister of Youth and Sport meets UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt
Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Azerbaijan Republic with UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt
The development of climbing and mountaineering and the role the UIAA could play was front and centre at a meeting between UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt and Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Azerbaijan Republic.
“The UIAA is grateful to the Minister of Youth of Sport for his enthusiasm and goal to develop climbing and mountaineering in Azerbaijan,” said Vrijlandt. “We stand ready to do anything we can as the international body for climbing and mountaineering, representing millions of climbers and mountaineers around the world.”
“Climbing and mountaineering groups, environmental groups, academic institutions and now the government of Azerbaijan Republic are working closely with the UIAA to develop our sport in this beautiful country,” said Vrijlandt after the meeting.
Vrijlandt said the help the UIAA could give included the expertise of UIAA experts in the field of competition ice climbing, medicine, mountain protection, training, mountain medicine and equipment safety.
Among the issues discussed between Vrijlandt and Rahimov were:
- The hosting of a UIAA-style ice climbing competition or event in Azerbaijan with the help of the Azerbaijan Republic.
- An upcoming route setter and guide course in Azerbaijan being organized by the UIAA and the Air and Extreme Federation of Azerbaijan (FAIREX) with the support of the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF)
- The successful hosting of the recently concluded European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan in in June that involved 17 days of sporting and organizational excellence involving more than 6000 participants from the 50 European countries competed in 20 sports in 18 venues.
In recent years, the relationship between the UIAA and climbing, mountaineering, environmental and other civic society and educational institutions in Azerbaijan has grown.
Western University and Golden Rock Travel of Azerbaijan are key sponsors of the UIAA Mountain Protection Award. It recognizes associations and travel agencies that work in the mountain environment in a sustainable manner.
The UIAA Mountain Protection Award carries a cash prize of US$5,000 and supports community-based tourism that simultaneously contributes to the conservation of ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods for local people. Projects submitted involve environmental concerns and activities linked with energy efficiency, conservation initiatives, waste management, community activities and water conservation.