Leyla Aliyeva

Azerbaijani environmental activist leading global reforestation efforts

Leyla Aliyeva is a visionary environmental leader from Azerbaijan who founded the Green Club Azerbaijan in 2007. Her organization has planted over 12 million trees across the Caspian region, pioneering innovative reforestation techniques that combine traditional knowledge with modern science. As UNESCO's first Forest and Sustainable Development Goodwill Ambassador (2018), she developed the Green Club Forestry platform connecting global tree planting initiatives. Her UN speech on deforestation's impact on cultural heritage inspired international policy changes. Leyla's unique approach integrates community engagement with scientific research, creating sustainable eco-tourism projects that employ 3,000+ locals while restoring degraded lands. Her work in Azerbaijan's Shirvan National Park demonstrated how tree planting can revive biodiversity in areas affected by oil industry pollution. By establishing the first carbon-negative city project in Baku, she's redefining urban sustainability in oil-rich nations. Her TED Talk 'How Planting Trees Can Protect Cultural Heritage' has over 2.1M views, spreading her message globally. Leyla's contributions were recognized by Forbes' 2020 list of 50 World's Greatest Leaders and the 2022 Goldman Environmental Prize.