Against an ambitious six-month timeline, Pico delivered the largest temporary infrastructure in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties' (UNCCC COP) history, showcasing unparalleled expertise in sustainable construction and large-scale event management.
Event brief
Held from November 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) was the second largest in this globally significant event’s history.
With Pico working as main official contractor for the event’s Blue Zone, it represented a milestone in sustainable event management and an impressive demonstration of how large-scale event activations can align with sustainability goals.
Event highlights
Led by Pico’s multinational team of more than 1,200 professionals and workers, the project transformed the 215,000m2 Baku Stadium into the COP29 ‘Blue Zone’.
Themed Make Waves, it contained vital conferencing and negotiation facilities, country/corporate pavilions, and an offsite information centre within central Baku. The Blue Zone was the biggest design-and-build temporary infrastructure around a permanent facility in the history of UNCCC COP.
A further significant feature was the COP29 information centre, designed and built as a permanent structure to serve future events right in the heart of Baku. Pico also designed and built pavilions for Azerbaijan, Singapore, FINS Initiative, and the Zero Waste Pavilion.
The event’s information centre and country/corporate pavilions also not only demonstrated effective environmental stewardship, but also exceeded the Conference’s needs by increasing Azerbaijan’s long-term capacity to host environmentally responsible international gatherings.
Challenges
Key project challenges included balancing the zone’s massive infrastructural needs with health, safety and environmental standards – and completing its full planning and execution within six months. The team responded with an intensive mobilisation programme for the workforce, production sites and key supply chain partners designed to overcome logistical challenges.
The Pico team took an innovative approach to the ‘Blue Zone’ by implementing realistic sustainability goals for design and construction that would allow for ISO20121 event certification at the outset.
Over a six-month period, the team leveraged expertise in design, management, master site planning, branding, wayfinding and signage design, and substantially reduced carbon footprint and increased potential with venue facility optimisation capabilities. Among other project elements, Pico was responsible for site groundwork, steelwork, temporary infrastructure and AV-CCTV conduit works.
The team executed a comprehensive interior fit-out including detailed design, VVIP joinery, flooring, furniture, landscaping and decor. Executed tasks also included the construction of toilet and kitchen infrastructure, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), and art exhibition curation.
A solar glass-powered entrance arch introduced design features for renewable energy generation and was a significant development in integrating cutting-edge technology and functional design for sustainable event spaces without compromising aesthetic appeal or operational efficiency.
The project integrated sustainable construction methods with local supply chain initiatives, developed permanent infrastructure and in turn transferred valuable skills and knowledge as legacy for Azerbaijan’s events industry.
Event 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29)
Organiser COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company
Venue Baku Stadium
Date November 11-22, 2024
Attendance Over 70,000 visitors from all over the globe
