Baku hosting 1st Global Forum on Youth Policies
By Nigar Orujova
The first Global Forum on Youth Policies kicked off in Baku on October 28.
The three-day forum is co-organized with the assistance of Azerbaijan's Youth and Sports Ministry, UN Development Program, Office of the United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, UNESCO and the Council of Europe. The event has brought together ministers, experts and young leaders from many countries.
Opening of the event, Head of the Department of Public and Political Issues of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov read out Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's message.
Addressing the event, Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov said such a forum is being held in Baku for the first time, adding that it is of great importance to hold forums like this.
The minister noted that such forums have not been held in the
world since 1998. He added that the forum that is being held for
the first time in the 21st century is very important for the
youth.
He said representatives from 160 countries are participating at the
forum.
Azerbaijani minister added that the document to be adopted at
the forum will give a new impetus to the development of global
youth policies and allow to set new priorities in this sphere.
"As a country with 50 percent of population being youth, Azerbaijan
supports the global youth policies," he said.
Rahimov went on saying that Azerbaijan has achieved sustainable
development by using its energy resources.
"However, that's not a determining factor. The main conditions of
development are political will, decisiveness and availability of
specialists," he said. "Namely therefore, Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev has called for turning the 'black gold' into the human
capital."
In his video address to the forum participants, UN Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon talked about the contribution of the youth to
the world politics.
"We have one message for you: The United Nations is ready to work with you," he stressed.
Following this, various panel discussions kicked off at the forum.