Ilham Aliyev: Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers to strengthen solidarity, partnership
The fourth OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers, bringing together about 40 delegations representing OIC countries, kicked off in Baku on April 18.
The fourth OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers, bringing together about 40 delegations representing OIC countries, kicked off in Baku on April 18.
Youth and sport ministers, chairpersons of state agencies and committees, as well as leading international organizations took part in the two-day event.
President Ilham Aliyev received the youth and sport ministers attending the session.
Addressing the meeting, President Aliyev expressed his pleasure that Azerbaijan is hosting such an important international event.
“I am sure that this meeting will strengthen solidarity, partnership between our countries and create a very positive dynamic in the development of cooperation. Azerbaijan is a very active member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In recent years, we have organized numerous events at the ministerial level,” he noted.
Azerbaijan always feels the support of fraternal Muslim countries and, in turn, supports the brothers in all international organizations, according to the head of state.
“We actively cooperate in the UN, of course, in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, other various regional organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation. Azerbaijan will continue the policy of strengthening solidarity and partnership with fraternal countries,” he added.
President Aliyev recalled that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation adopted several resolutions related to the settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which led to the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands by neighboring Armenia.
“As a result of this conflict, more than a million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) on their land. We were subjected to ethnic cleansing. Armenia committed genocide against the Azerbaijanis in Khojaly. Currently, this genocide is recognized by more than ten countries of the world. We are deeply grateful to our brothers -members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation -- for their constant support to Azerbaijan in resolving the conflict on the basis of the resolutions of the UN Security Council and other international organizations within the framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,” he said.
He went on to say that the leadership of Armenia destroyed everything in the occupied lands.
“The OSCE twice sent factfinding missions to the occupied territories. Their report shows that an act of vandalism has been committed against our historical and religious monuments,” he said.
“Our people were also subjected to cultural genocide. But, as I always say, they cannot destroy our memory, our faith,” the President noted.
The head of state further said that after part of the occupied lands were liberated two years ago, Azerbaijan decided to restore this territory, and now people live there.
“We built a village of 150 houses, a school, a medical center and a mosque. This mosque is analogous to a mosque destroyed by Armenians in the ancient city of Shusha. Thus, we once again show the barbarians that they cannot destroy our destiny. We will return to all the occupied territories and restore them. We will return life to these territories,” he noted.
President Aliyev further stressed that Azerbaijan makes a great contribution to the solidarity of Muslim countries.
“Last year was declared as the Year of Islamic Solidarity in Azerbaijan. Having organized numerous events in Azerbaijan and abroad, we demonstrated the unity of Muslim countries. We demonstrate the true face of our religion, our culture, historical heritage, potential and contribution to the development of mankind,” he said.
Having recalled the fourth Games of Islamic Solidarity held last year, the head of state said that they also demonstrated the unity.
“It was a demonstration of our unity, solidarity and opportunities. Therefore, we are trying to contribute to the solidarity between all Muslim countries,” he added.
The President further informed that ancient city of Nakhchivan this year is declared the capital of Islamic culture by ISESCO.
“We have very good ties with Muslim countries. Bilateral relations are very good. We support each other politically. Azerbaijan is also embarking on some projects that create good economic prospects and strengthen our potential. We must not only demonstrate solidarity, which is important, but also support each other economically. Today Azerbaijan, being a donor country, implements numerous social and humanitarian activities related to humanitarian aid, education, healthcare in many Muslim countries. We build schools, we help refugees. The last demonstration of our solidarity is the humanitarian assistance extended to the refugees of Rohinj,” he added.
“I believe that the current meeting in Baku is significant for our youth. I know that your conference has started successfully, and I wish it a successful conclusion,” President Aliyev concluded.
Speaking at the meeting, Secretary General of the OIC Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen emphasized that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation supports the rightful cause of Azerbaijan in the Armenian-Azerbaijani NagornoKarabakh conflict.
“This is a priority for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, we note this in all our resolutions, both within the framework of the summit and in the resolutions of foreign ministers. This is a just cause, and we simply demand the implementation of United Nations resolutions,” he said.
The OIC head went on to say that young people make up a large segment of our population in the Muslim world, and we need to instill hope in them by our attitude to regrettable events, extremism and terrorism.
“Thus, I want the OIC Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers to ensure the drawing up of a program which envisages the participation of the younger generation only in a good way - through both sporting and other activities. I always say that our youth has certain positive qualities, otherwise it would be engaged in bad deeds. The best thing is to develop a meaningful program and policies exclusively for the youth and society in Muslim countries,” he noted.
Al-Othaimeen also expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for the idea to initiate this forum here in Baku back in 2005.
“Today your country has become the center of the region in terms of tourism. We are proud of this and, as you rightly noted, we support economic cooperation between our countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Tourism is an important element of how to successfully implement this cooperation,” he stressed.
Then, on the basis of the decision of the Board of the OIC Youth Forum, Ilham Aliyev was awarded the first Honorary Badge “Patron of Youth” for the initiative and role in the creation and development of the Youth Forum, the activities aimed at the development of the youth of the OIC, and the constant and exclusive support rendered to strengthening solidarity between the member countries.
Later on the same day, the fourth OIC Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers was held by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sports with the joint organization of the OIC, the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) and the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF).
Addressing the event, Azad Rahimov, Acting Minister of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan, spoke about the state youth policy successfully implemented in the country, the priority goals and directions in this field, as well as Azerbaijan's position in the OIC space in the future.
Rahimov noted that Azerbaijan, which in the next two years will chair the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of OIC, will try to achieve important innovations in the field of youth policy in the OIC space.
As a result of the two-day session, the OIC Youth Strategy, resolutions on joint activities on youth and sports policy, the final report of the conference, the decision to determine the place and date of the next ministerial meeting, as well as the final Baku declaration were adopted.
The need to restore the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the return of refugees to their homes, the call to support the international campaign “Justice for Khojaly” initiated by Leila Aliyeva, and boycotting all youth and sports events in the occupied territories were reflected in the final Baku Declaration, which mentions the commitments of the member states on the adopted decisions.