The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), represented by its Regional Office in Baku, participated with a dedicated pavilion in the 12th Baku International Book Fair, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan from 21 to 25 October 2026. The pavilion hosted a rich program featuring cultural, scientific, and intellectual activities, attended by officials, researchers, experts, and cultural figures from Azerbaijan and ICESCO Member States.

The pavilion’s program included five intellectual sessions: “Shusha and the Arab World: From Books to Cultural Exchange” and “The Future of Reading: Culture, Society, and New Generations,” featuring Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ICESCO; Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue; and Mr. Murad Aliyev, Expert in the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector. The program also featured a panel discussion titled “Calligraphy and Manuscripts: The Beauty of Writing and the Memory of the Book,” with the participation of Idham Hanash, Head of the ICESCO Center for Calligraphy and Manuscripts; a panel discussion titled “Azerbaijan on the Silk Roads: Books and Knowledge at the Crossroads of Civilizations,” with the participation of Dr. Hani Albalawi, Head of the Communication Department at the Center; and a session on knowledge in the age of artificial intelligence.

The sessions aimed to raise awareness of the cultural and intellectual heritage of the countries of the Islamic world and Central Asia and to explore ways of harnessing knowledge, publications, and translation to strengthen ties between communities across languages, generations, and borders. They also addressed the ethical challenges posed by the rapid development of artificial intelligence and ways to foster critical thinking among young people.

The ICESCO pavilion also hosted a live Arabic calligraphy demonstration by calligrapher and abstract artist Rabab Zahra, celebrating the heritage of calligraphy and its significance in the Islamic world. In addition, folkloric performances from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan were presented by children from the Azerbaijani Republican Children and Youth Development Center.