Aghdam-hosted ECO Forum features plenary panel on "High-level perspectives: The role of youth in regional development"

As part of the ECO Youth Forum on July 1, a plenary panel titled "High-level perspectives: The role of youth in regional development" was held in Aghdam, Report informs.

Moderated by Zarifa Zulfugarova, Head of the International Relations Department of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the panel featured a speech by Soiuzbek Nadyrbekov, First Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan, who highlighted his country’s youth policy. He noted that Kyrgyzstan’s annual youth forum gathers approximately 2,000 young participants each year.

"Let us ensure that the Youth Forum held in Aghdam becomes the beginning of a new idea and strengthens solidarity among us," Nadyrbekov urged forum participants.

Mehmet Akif Kireçci, President of the ECO Educational Institute (ECOEI), emphasized that the forum brought together the individuals who will shape the future of the ECO region. He highlighted the importance of education, which encompasses all areas of life.

"In development mechanisms, education is considered a model. Young people must have access to educational opportunities that provide not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills tailored to modern demands. We must encourage the most capable youth to lead the way. It is equally crucial that young people remain well-informed about global developments," he stressed.

Shahnozakhon Rakhmanova, a young representative from Uzbekistan, emphasized the unique significance of youth meeting directly with policymakers and academic leaders at this forum. She noted that the ECO region is home to more than 500 million people, the majority of whom are young, and highlighted that the forum is an essential platform for youth to express their views.

Seyed Komail Tayebi, President of the ECO Science Foundation, underlined the importance of science for economic development.

"Where there is science, there is development — and that drives inclusive economic growth. Science shapes human capital, which is the foundation of sustainable development. As an organization, we invest in education, which ultimately leads us to sustainable growth. The ECO region, including Azerbaijan, holds immense potential, especially given its young population. The advancement of youth education should be a special priority. The experiences of leading countries in this area can serve as valuable models for the region and guide us toward a secure future. I call on the countries of the region to invest more in policies focused on science, education, and innovation. Young people must have a stronger presence in science, technology, and innovation," he said.

Elmar Mammadov, Head of the Economic Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted Azerbaijan’s introduction of the Global Baku Initiative within the COP29 framework, aimed at building human capital for climate resilience.

"We also developed the Baku Guiding Principles, which consist of 12 principles, and we adopted a joint declaration with 14 international organizations. We now see that these guiding principles, initiated in Baku, are being endorsed by various countries. Another of our initiatives involves investments in climate finance and trade. For the first time, we have integrated these two sectors to support countries in transition. The Asian Development Bank has expressed support for these proposed initiatives. I believe we can implement similar initiatives within ECO as well," he added.

The plenary panel continued with an exchange of views and in-depth discussions on the topics.