“I am very pleased to speak at the 9th meeting of the CICA Youth Council. First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the CICA Secretariat and all member states for their continuous contribution to strengthening cooperation among youth within the organization.”
elchi reports that Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov said this during his speech at the 9th meeting of the Youth Council of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) held in Baku.
According to the Minister, youth account for approximately 22.5 percent of the population in Azerbaijan, and investing in youth is one of the main priorities of state policy: “Under the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, a comprehensive policy is being implemented that strengthens the participation of youth in the fields of education, entrepreneurship, innovation, volunteering, sports, and international cooperation.
Our country has always encouraged the participation of youth in international cooperation. Numerous international youth events and initiatives have been organized in Azerbaijan that promote dialogue, exchange of experience, and finding joint solutions to common challenges. The active participation of youth is also of great importance in addressing global challenges.
Within the framework of COP29 hosted by Azerbaijan, youth have actively contributed to discussions on climate action, green development, and sustainable development. At the same time, the World Urban Forum has played an important role as a platform for youth to participate in shaping more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities. These experiences once again show that youth should participate not only in the implementation of solutions but also in the process of developing those solutions.”
Farid Gayibov stated that there is great potential for further deepening cooperation among our youth within the CICA framework: “By sharing best practices, supporting joint initiatives, and strengthening partnerships, we can contribute to the formation of more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable urban communities in our region.
In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the CICA Secretariat, the organizers of this meeting, and all distinguished participants for their efforts and valuable contributions. I am confident that today’s discussions will further strengthen our cooperation and inspire new initiatives for a more peaceful, sustainable, and prosperous future under the leadership of our youth.”