ICESCO opens a regional office in Baku

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has officially opened its new regional office in Baku.

The opening ceremony took place within the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve and was attended by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center.

Among other attendees were Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Anar Alakbarov; Culture Minister Adil Karimli; ICESCO Director-General Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik; Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev; ANAS President Isa Habibbayli; ambassadors of Central Asian countries to Azerbaijan; President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Aktoty Raimkulova; and other diplomats and public figures.

Abdulhakeem AlSenan, Director of the new regional office, expressed gratitude to participants at the "historic" event.

Addressing the ceremony, Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik said the office was a long-held aspiration and would serve as a hub for education, science, and culture across Azerbaijan and Central Asia. He praised the support of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, as well as Leyla and Arzu Aliyeva, for their roles in making the project a reality.

AlMalik emphasized the office would support regional cooperation, foster innovation, promote artificial intelligence, protect the environment, and invest in youth development. "This office will be the seed of a mighty tree whose roots are wisdom, branches are peace, and fruits a legacy of hope," he said.

The event featured a video on ICESCO’s activities and its partnership with Azerbaijan. Leyla Aliyeva also left a note in the office’s guestbook.