The 12th session of the General Conference of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) started in Baku yesterday.
The Director General of ISESCO, Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, addressed the opening of the session. He expressed his sincere gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for hosting the session and the conditions "created for a successful event in this beautiful city." The head of ISESCO wished him great success in the promotion of Azerbaijan "towards the path of sustainable progress and prosperity" and expressed his gratitude for the Order of Friendship (Dostluq).
The Director General also welcomed the first lady of Azerbaijan, the president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, a goodwill ambassador of ISESCO, Mehriban Aliyeva, expressing his gratitude for her support of the organization. "I know that she does a lot of work in the field of science, culture and education, plays a very active role in the development of the country," Altwaijri said.
Talking about the history and activities of the organization, he said that ISESCO "has adapted to the changes that have been occurring in the Islamic world over the past three decades."
The ISESCO director general also spoke about the activities of the organization as a global research center in the field of education, science, technology, culture and communication.
Altwaijri touched on "the serious situation in the Islamic world," stressing the need "to use every opportunity to address the challenges faced by all the member states."
According to him, Azerbaijan's development under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev "is an example of a modern state in the Islamic world". This country, based on its historical values, promotes peaceful coexistence and making progress in ensuring social peace and justice," Altwaijri said.
He expressed confidence that Azerbaijan will "achieve the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh". "We know that the Armenian occupation has resulted in a great destruction," the General Director of ISESCO said, stressing that religious, historical and cultural monuments have been destroyed on the occupied territories.
Altwaijri, referring to all the states of the region, stressed the need to "put an end to this occupation and restore the violated rights." He also urged the participants of the conference "to adopt a declaration, a resolution to demand the withdrawal of the Armenian forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the surrounding areas."
"The Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani lands is a crime against humanity," the head of ISESCO stressed. "Such crimes must be prevented. The important region of Azerbaijan must and will be released," Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri noted.
