Global Canal Rowing Action Concludes in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the Occasion of COP29

The annual Global Canal Rowing Action (GCRA) concluded its 2024 edition last weekend in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).

Spanning six continents and bringing together 41 countries and 199 cities, this year’s GCRA reached a remarkable 12,000 participants, promoting canal culture and advocating for low-carbon environmental protection as part of the global movement for sustainable development.

According to Ken Lee, co-initiator of the Global Canal Rowing Action, this year’s event built on its success in previous editions.

“The 2024 GCRA has evolved into a true global movement, connecting people from Yangzhou to Asia, Africa, Europe, and America before culminating in Baku. With over 12,000 participants, we’ve continued to spread the message of ‘Zero Carbon, Clean Water’ to communities worldwide,” he said.

The Baku finale, held as part of the COP29 “Break Day” activities, featured a Sustainability Parade with 55 boats, including rowing and paddling teams led by local and international athletes. World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland, International Canoe Federation President Thomas Konietzko, and International Dragon Boat Federation President Claudio Schermi joined the parade, reinforcing their shared commitment to combating climate change.

Cultural and Community Highlights

The Baku edition was more than just a sports event. Participants, ranging in age from 9 to 75 years, celebrated the local culture with traditional Azerbaijani music, dance performances, and a showcase of local delicacies. The event also saw widespread community involvement, including youth and families, supported by government campaigns and extensive media coverage from 10 Azerbaijani TV channels.

On the next day, COP29 hosted a “Canal Day” event in its official program. This session, themed “Canal Global Canal Rowing Action – Green Future with Youth” highlighted canals as critical resources in the fight against climate change. Speaking at the Biosphere III Pavilion, Jean-Christophe Rolland emphasized the value of initiatives like the GCRA:

“This operation combines people and nature, sports and culture, while raising awareness of protecting water resources. Awareness is the first step, but we must go further by engaging more people in addressing the challenges of climate change.”

A Lasting Legacy

Looking to the future, Azerbaijan has pledged to make the GCRA an annual water climate event, expanding its reach to neighboring European countries. Ken Lee echoed this commitment:

“Through rowing and paddling, we hope to inspire more people to take action for a sustainable future. As we head toward COP30 in Belem, Brazil, we look forward to welcoming South American and Amazonian athletes to this global movement.”

The 2024 GCRA in Baku stands as a symbol of the transformative power of sports in fostering collaboration, cultural exchange, and environmental action.

Attendees included representatives from the World Historic and Cultural Canal Cities Cooperation Organization (WCCO), the Azerbaijan Youth and Sports Ministry, the Azerbaijan Canoe and Rowing Federation, international leaders from COP29 and Wang Shi, Founder of GCRA and Honorary President of the Asian Rowing Federation.