The Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) H.E. Baghdad Amreyev took part in the international conference entitled “Advancing post-conflict humanitarian agenda: Sustainable development through revitalization of cultural environment” held on 19-20 May 2022 in Shusha, Azerbaijan.

The Forum was hosted by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Anar Karimov and attended by ICESCO Director General Dr. Salim Mohammed Al Malik, TURKSOY Secretary General Mr. Sultanbai Raev, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Shusha district Mr. Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in liberated part of Karabakh Economic Region Mr. Emin Huseynov, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye Dr. Serdar Çam, heads of other international organizations, including ICCROM, ITCHF, UNAC, IPO as well as over 100 representatives from more than 30 countries, worldwide experts in the fields of preserving and restoration of cultural heritage, tourism, biodiversity and creative industries.

The Secretary General addressed the Forum and highlighted the importance of the Conference theme, emphasizing that Shusha has always been one of the important historical centres of the Turkic World. He pointed out that considering the importance of the cultural heritage of Shusha, it has been granted the status of “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2023”. 

Secretary General also informed the audience that in cooperation with the relevant Azerbaijani authorities OTS will organize various meetings and activities of the Organization as well as those of the Turkic Cooperation Organizations in Shusha during 2023.

Noting that huge efforts are taken by the Government of Azerbaijan towards development of Karabakh, Baghdad Amreyev pointed out that the OTS for its part, will keep organizing business events in the liberated areas to attract companies of the Member and Observer States to the construction of new cities and villages in this land. 

The Secretary General stated that a number of OTS projects in the field of tourism are planned to be implemented in Karabakh for its post-conflict restoration and preservation of cultural heritage for future generations, in order to secure peace and achieve sustainable development goals in the region.

At the margins of the Conference Baghdad Amreyev had a meeting with Anar Karimov, Minister for Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The sides discussed the ongoing Turkic cooperation in the field of culture and joint activities to be held in line with Istanbul Summit decisions.

Besides, B.Amreyev held a meeting with Salim Mohammed Al-Malik, Director General of the ICESCO. The parties exchanged views on ways of strengthening cooperation between Turkic Cooperation Organizations and ICESCO as well as touched upon the topic of the opportunities of implementing joint projects in the fields of education, science and culture in the Turkic World.