H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), on the sidelines of the launch of the celebration of Shusha, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2024, which takes place under the high patronage of the President of the Republic.

At the beginning of the meeting, held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Shusha, Dr. AlMalik expressed his deep thanks and gratitude to H.E. President Aliyev, for his continued support to ICESCO in its areas of competence, and for its high patronage of the Shusha year-round celebration, emphasizing that this city deserves to be the capital of culture in the Islamic world due to its natural purity, its cultural diversity, its historical richness, its distinguished geographical location and its role in preserving Azerbaijani identity.

The meeting focused on the fruitful cooperation between ICESCO and Azerbaijan, stressing the importance of continuing this distinguished partnership between the Organization and Azerbaijani institutions.

The ICESCO DG highlighted that the Organization signed a memorandum of understanding with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the fields of education, science and culture, in order to implement joint programs in several countries, particularly on the African continent.

He reviewed the preparations made by the Organization for an active participation in COP29, which Azerbaijan will host in Baku, next November, and indicated that ICESCO would establish its own pavilion at this Global Forum, to help raise awareness of the need to address the negative impacts of climate change and related challenges.

For his part, the Azerbaijani President appreciated ICESCO’s efforts in the development of education, science and culture in its Member States, emphasizing his country’s continued support for the various programs and activities of the Organization, and welcoming ICESCO’s participation in COP29.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented President Aliyev with the shield of the celebration of Shusha, Culture Capital in the Islamic World.