AZERBAIJAN — ISESCO
The Republic of Azerbaijan has been a member of ISESCO since 1991. The relations established in 1991 entered the stage of successful development by conferring on November 24, 2006, the First Lady of the Republic Mehriban Aliyeva the title of ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador. President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva became the first woman to be awarded the high title of this organization, which includes Islamic countries.
At present, the authority of the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture —ISESCO is growing around the world. Former ISESCO Director General Abdelaziz Osman al-Tuwaijri has repeatedly expressed his satisfaction with the level of cooperation with our country and his interest in expanding this cooperation, and since 2006 he has actively participated in a number of international events held in our country. Among them, the following should be specially noted: International Conference "Youth for the Alliance of Civilizations" (November 1—2, 2007), Forum "The Role of Women in Intercultural Dialogue", initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation with the support of UNESCO and ISESCO (June 10—11, 2008) .), VI Conference of Ministers of Science and Education of Islamic Countries (October 6—7, 2008), Opening Ceremony of the Year of Culture "Baku —Capital of Islamic Culture —2009" (February 18, 2009), VI Conference of Ministers of Culture of Islamic Countries (October 13—15, 2009), Baku Summit of World Religious Leaders (April 26—27, 2010), World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue and the Baku International Humanitarian Forum.
Under the organization of the leadership of ISESCO, the books “The Coryphaeus of Modern Arabic Literature” and “Azerbaijan Writing in Arabic Letters” by the prominent orientalist-scientist A.Imanguliyeva were published in Arabic.
In the monthly special magazine ISESCO, a wide place is always given to relations with Azerbaijan. It should be noted the comprehensive support provided by the leadership of ISESCO in holding the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Morocco in 2008. The decisions adopted by ISESCO reflect articles on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
April 7—9, 2011 General Director of ISESCO A.O. al-Tuwaijri visited Baku to participate in the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.
In 2011 A.O. Al-Tuveijri was awarded the Golden Plane International Prize of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for fruitful activities in establishing ties in the field of science, education, and culture, establishing a dialogue between peoples. On May 9—11, 2011, he visited Baku to present an award and took part in events dedicated to the 88th anniversary of the national leader Heydar Aliyev and the 7th anniversary of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. On October 17, 2011, within the framework of the 2nd meeting of the Coordinating Center of the Alliance of Civilizations in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, an event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the state independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held at the Permanent Headquarters of ISESCO.
On December 12—14, 2011, in Baku, ISESCO and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan organized an international event "Promoting Girls' Education: Current Situation, Challenges, and Prospects".
On February 24, 2012, a ceremony dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was held at the ISESCO headquarters.
Particularly noteworthy are the efforts of the Director-General of ISESCO A.O. al-Tuveijri for the preparation and holding of the event, his fair and courageous speech at the ceremony dedicated to the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the Khojaly genocide.
General Director of ISESCO A.O. al-Tuwaijri visited our country in 2012 to participate in the 23rd Annual Crans Montan Forum in Baku. During the visit of A.O. Al-Tuveijri was received by the Lady of the Republic, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva. Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded a commemorative gold medal on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of ISESCO.
General Director of ISESCO A.O. Al-Tuweijri visited Azerbaijan on October 4—5, 2012 to participate in the Second Baku International Humanitarian Forum. During the visit of A.O. al-Tuveijri was received by President Ilham Aliyev. A.O. al-Tuwaijri presented the head of state with an emblem dedicated to the 30th anniversary of ISESCO for the high care and support provided to the activities of the organization.
On May 7, 2013, a solemn ceremony dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev was held at the ISESCO headquarters.
General Director of ISESCO A.O. Al-Tuweijri was on a visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the Third Baku International Humanitarian Forum (October 31—November 1, 2013), the Second World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, held in Baku with the support of UNESCO and ISESCO (May 29—June 1, 2013), "International Conference on Cooperation in the Field of Terrorism Prevention", jointly organized by ISESCO and the UN in Baku.
On October 22—24, 2013, Baku hosted the "Regional meeting of the secretaries-general of the ISESCO National Commissions for the Asian region".
On November 11—12, 2013, the IV Ministerial Conference on Children of the ISESCO Member States was held in Baku. The main topic of the conference was the problems of children and urbanization in the Islamic world. The conference was preceded by a meeting of high-level experts on children's issues from ISESCO member countries on 8—9 November.
On March 11, 2014, a special event dedicated to Azerbaijan was organized in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, within the framework of the international conference "Promoting Peace in Muslim Communities".
ISESCO provided organizational support to the International Competition for Young (under 20) Classical Music Performers among the Countries of the Islamic World, held in Baku on April 24—26, 2014.
On November 19, 2014, by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, ISESCO General Director A.O. al-Tuveijri was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the Baku International Center for Multiculturalism.
On November 23—24, 2015, the 36th meeting of the Executive Council of the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture was held in Baku.
In accordance with the order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated November 25, 2015, ISESCO General Director A.O. al-Tuveijri was awarded the Order of Friendship for his effective work in establishing all-round successful cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and ISESCO and exceptional merits in promoting the cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people at the international level.
On November 26—27, 2015, the 12th General Conference of the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture was held in Baku. The opening ceremony was attended by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife, ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva.
On November 11, 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State Agency for the provision of services to citizens and social innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture.
The purpose of signing the Memorandum of Understanding is to further strengthen the existing bilateral cooperation between the State Agency and ISESCO, and promote cooperation in the application of the “ASAN” service model to further improve the provision of public services in ISESCO member countries.
On June 20, 2018, the opening ceremony of "Nakhchivan — the capital of Islamic culture-2018" was held in Nakhchivan. The event was attended by ISESCO Director General Abdelaziz Osman al-Tuwaijri and official guests from different countries.