The Regional Office of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Baku organized its first regional workshop under the theme “Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Education, Science, and Culture.” The workshop aimed to promote integration among Central Asian and Caucasus countries in ICESCO’s areas of work, operationalize the role of the Office as a regional hub that advances ICESCO’s strategic goals, and support the plans and priorities of Member States in the region.

The workshop, held at ICESCO’s Office in Baku on Friday, 18 July 2025, opened with remarks by Dr. Abdulhakeem AlSenan, Director of ICESCO’s Regional Office in Baku, who welcomed the participants and affirmed the Office’s role as a bridge linking countries of the region to the broader Islamic world in the fields of education, science, and culture. Dr. AlSenan noted that the workshop marks a significant step toward strengthening joint action.

Following this, Mr. Farid Jafarov, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, delivered remarks in which he emphasized the importance of ICESCO’s Regional Office, the unwavering support it receives from the Azerbaijani government, and the country’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its role and activities.

For his part, Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, expressed the Organization’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Member States in the region through its Regional Office, by implementing projects aligned with their development priorities and responding to the cultural, educational, and scientific challenges they face.

Moreover, Dr. Salim Al Habsi, Head of the General Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, underscored the Organization’s interest in the strategic role of its Baku Office and its commitment to supporting it as an effective platform for implementing regional programs.

During the second session of the workshop, delegations from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan presented their national priorities in education, culture, and scientific research. They expressed their interest in expanding collaboration with ICESCO’s Office and developing joint projects for capacity-building and enhanced cultural and scientific exchange. The delegations also presented innovative initiatives and ambitious proposals reflecting a spirit of partnership and openness to new avenues of cooperation.

The workshop concluded with a SWOT analysis session to assess the status of ICESCO’s Regional Office, during which participants reviewed its strengths, opportunities, current challenges, and development proposals. The participants agreed on the importance of continuing such coordination meetings to strengthen regional cooperation and share expertise in priority areas.