To celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity, observed annually on May 22, Azerbaijan Fish Farm, a subsidiary of LU-MUN Holding, carried out a large-scale environmental initiative in the Neftchala region: 100,000 sturgeon and 20,000 Caspian salmon were released into the Caspian Sea.
The ceremonial event brought together more than 170 distinguished guests — including representatives of government ministries, international organizations, foreign embassies, NGOs, as well as leading experts in aquaculture and sustainable development. Among the attendees were Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov, representatives of the Ministry of Ecology, and key corporate partners.
This initiative reaffirmed Azerbaijan Fish Farm’s strong commitment to preserving the Caspian Sea ecosystem and restoring endangered fish populations. This year’s event was made possible with the support of strategic partners: Azerbaijan Poultry Company (Mercan), Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), SOCAR, Wings (Sakura), Gilan Holding, Azvarvara, CMS Properties, and Alltech Coppens — companies actively advancing ESG practices and sustainable development projects.
In his address, Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov noted that in December 2024, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree establishing the National Center for Fisheries and Aquaculture — a landmark step towards the protection of rare species in the Caspian basin and the restoration of biodiversity at a national level.
Head of the Executive Authority of Neftchala District, Mirhasan Seyidov, emphasized that environmental stewardship has long been a national priority, rooted in the legacy of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. He highlighted that this course of action continues to evolve under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, reaching new levels of scale and impact.
Chairman of the Management Board of LU-MUN Holding, Emil Mammadsadikhov, underscored that the fish release into the Caspian Sea directly reflects the President’s environmental agenda. He stressed that such initiatives are an integral part of national priorities and a clear example of how the business community can actively support the country’s goals in nature conservation and ecosystem recovery.
Director of Azerbaijan Fish Farm, Nurlan Abdinov, stated that the company’s long-term goal is to gradually increase the number of fish released into nature to one million. “This is not a one-time campaign — it’s an essential part of our daily operations. We are consistently implementing the principles of sustainable aquaculture aimed at restoring natural populations,” he said.
Fidan Farzaliyeva, Advisor to the President of Azerbaijan Airlines, added that biodiversity preservation is one of the core pillars of the airline’s ESG strategy. “For us, sustainability means not only reducing emissions, but also supporting natural ecosystems, protecting habitats, and backing projects inspired by nature itself,” she said.
Following the official ceremony, guests visited the Kura Experimental Sturgeon Breeding Facility, where they saw firsthand how modern technologies are helping the company protect endangered species and develop sustainable aquaculture.
