On 27th -29th October, 2021, the Azerbaijan Investment and Culture Summit, dedicated to the 880th anniversary of the Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi, was held in Baku. The organizers of the event are Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) and the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), ICYF Eurasian Regional Center with the support of the ministries of Economy and Culture of Azerbaijan. The Summit was attended by the ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, representatives of international organizations, the diplomatic corps, businessmen, investors, start-ups and youth organizations among the list, representatives from more than 20 countries.
Within the framework of the summit, different topics were discussed by the panelists, such as “Investing in Karabakh prospects”, “Economic and trade prospects of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states: challenges, opportunities” and “Strong startup ecosystem for economic recovery in the post-COVID period” were also debated in panel discussions.
Mr. Vusal Gurbanov, the Acting Director General of Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum of the Eurasian Regional Center (ICYF-ERC), made speech in one of the panels of the Summit titled “Resilient Start-Up Ecosystem for Effective Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery”. In his speech, Mr. Gurbanov noted that, the regional cooperation can stimulate the process of talent and funding attraction, local innovations, and job creations. He highlighted that ICYF-ERC has been strongly contributing to the development of startups and assistance to young entrepreneurs impacted by the global health crisis.
On 29th October the participants visited Fuzuli and Shusha cities that began from Fuzuli International Airport, recently opened with the participation of Azerbaijan and Turkey presidents. The participants of the summit were acquainted with the results of devastation and vandalism in Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan during the Armenian occupation as well as reconstruction works, its historical-cultural heritage, Shusha central square, Shusha tower, Yukhari Govhar Aga Mosque, Jidir duzu and other historical monuments.
The participants also visited Ganja city, that was first flying visit from Fuzuli international airport to Ganja, where they took part in cultural event, devoted to the 880th anniversary of Nizami Ganjavi in Ganja State Philharmonic Society.