ICYF-DC praises Azerbaijan’s contribution for Islamic World

The Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC), aimed at coordination of youth activities in the OIC countries, is ready to contribute to the successful implementation of the tasks for 2017, which was announced as "Year of Islamic solidarity" in Azerbaijan.

In a letter sent to Azerbaijan the Forum appraised the country's activity in establishing mutually beneficial relationships in the Islamic World, organizing a series of global cultural events, as a member of OIC, ISESCO and other respectable international organizations uniting the Muslim countries.

President Ilham Aliyev declared 2017 the Year of Islamic Solidarity in the country during a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on January 10, as this spring will see the next significant sporting season for the country.

On May 12-22, Azerbaijan will host the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, a multinational and multisport event involving the elite athletes of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, with a record number of participants. As many as 57 countries have confirmed their participation.

The country will welcome over 5,000 athletes to compete in 20 sports disciplines during the 12-day competition.

Hosting the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku in 2017 serves as another contribution of Azerbaijan towards strengthening of Islamic Solidarity, the message said.

ICYF-DC family thanked the head of the country for firm stand in boosting friendship among and development of youth of the OIC countries and strong support toward the institutionalization and development of the ICYF-DC as an international institution affiliated to the OIC.

Since the establishment of ICYFDC in 2004, Azerbaijan hosted numerous ICYF-DC conferences and programmes, including its Founding General Assembly (Baku, 2004) as well as ICYF-DC Eurasian Regional Center in Baku.

The decision of Azerbaijan to host the 4th session of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (ICYSM) adopted at the 3rd session of the ICYSM co-organized by ICYF-DC (Istanbul, October 2016) is yet another implication of such a strong support. ICYF-DC community very much appreciated the policies of the Government toward support of youth, providing them with opportunities for maturing to true leadership in various fields of the country’s life, the statement read.

ICYF-DC established at its Founding General Assembly held in Baku in 2004, aims at carrying out advocacy for youth interests, supporting sustainable development, promoting formal and non-formal education, strengthening moral values of young generation and engaging in the dialogue among cultures and civilizations.