Baku Hosts Official Opening of ICESCO Regional Office in Azerbaijan
Baku, The Gulf Observer: The official inauguration of the new regional office of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Azerbaijan took place on Monday within the historic premises of the “Icherisheher” State Historical-Architectural Reserve in Baku.
The high-profile event was attended by Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva, and Head of the Baku Media Center, Arzu Aliyeva, alongside senior Azerbaijani officials, foreign diplomats, and representatives of regional and international organizations.
Among the notable attendees were Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Anar Alakbarov; Minister of Culture, Adil Karimli; Minister of Science and Education, Emin Amrullayev; President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Isa Habibbayli; ICESCO Director-General Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik; as well as ambassadors of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other accredited countries. President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Aktoty Raimkulova, also participated in the ceremony.
Director of the ICESCO Regional Office in Baku, Abdulhakeem AlSenan, extended his gratitude to all guests, describing the occasion as historically significant for both Azerbaijan and the broader ICESCO community.
In his keynote address, ICESCO Director-General Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik hailed the establishment of the regional office as the fulfillment of a longstanding vision. “This office is a hub where education, science, culture, communication, modernity, and tradition coalesce in harmony,” he remarked, adding that the office will serve not only Azerbaijan but also ICESCO’s member states across Central Asia.
He emphasized the symbolic significance of Baku as a historical crossroads of civilizations and a modern center of intercultural dialogue. The Director-General praised Azerbaijani leadership for their unwavering support: “This achievement is the result of genuine leadership, a clear vision, and a profound commitment to a brighter future. We express our deep gratitude to His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev for his wisdom and dedication, and to First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, ICESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador, for her tireless advocacy for education and culture.”
Special thanks were also extended to Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva for their support and dedication to fostering collaboration between ICESCO and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
AlMalik further stated that the Baku office will champion innovative approaches, emphasizing environmental protection, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, youth engagement, and the safeguarding of cultural identity. “This office will be the seed of a mighty tree whose roots are wisdom, whose branches are peace, and whose fruits are a legacy of hope for generations to come,” he said.
The ceremony continued with a video presentation on ICESCO’s history and its multifaceted cooperation with Azerbaijan. In a symbolic gesture, Leyla Aliyeva wrote heartfelt words in the guestbook of the new regional office, marking the occasion with a personal message of support.
The opening of the ICESCO regional office in Baku marks a significant milestone in Azerbaijan’s role as a center for intercultural cooperation and regional diplomacy in the Islamic world.
