Inside Azerbaijan's COP29: How traditional tea service takes center stage
At the UN climate conference in Baku visitors experience authentic Azerbaijani hospitality. While delegates work on agreements local tea-and-sweets stations create a warm cultural atmosphere
The UN climate summit in Baku showcases Azerbaijanʼs well-known tea traditions alongside serious climate discussions. The mega-sized indoor meeting space — which takes up several football fields worth of space — offers countless spots for tired conference-goers to re-energize
At every corner of the venue theres an eye-catching display of local sweets: sugar-dusted pakhlava piled high in geometric patterns and moon-shaped shekerbura (filled with cardamom-spiced nuts). The sweet-and-warm combo helps delegates push through long negotiation sessions
The heart of Azerbaijans cultural display lies in its nations pavilion where local hostesses in traditional Baku attire serve steaming cups of tea. These ladies — dressed in ornate silk dresses with gold-threaded details — pour the amber-colored drink from copper samovars into special pear-shaped glasses
- Pakhlava: multi-layered pastry with nuts
- Shekerbura: crescent pastries with spiced filling
- Traditional tea service: served in special glass cups
- Cultural elements: national dress worn by servers
The mix of modern climate talks and age-old customs creates an interesting backdrop for the global gathering. Its not just about keeping attendees caffeinated; its about sharing Azerbaijans hospitality-focused culture with the world
