Baku Initiative Group marks growth with dozens of global events

The Baku Initiative Group has organised more than 35 international events since its establishment in 2023, focusing on issues affecting former and current colonial countries, Executive Director Abbas Abbasov said.

Speaking at the youth forum “Strengthening the Role of Youth in the Postcolonial Era,” Abbasov noted that the organisation was created during an international conference on the eradication of colonialism in July 2023.

“The Baku Initiative Group was established during an international conference dedicated to the eradication of colonialism in July 2023. And since 2023, we have successfully held more than 35 international events dedicated to various topics such as the consequences of colonial and neocolonial policies, issues of decolonisation, protection of human rights, protection of the rights of indigenous peoples and protection of the rights of ethnic minorities,” Abbasov said.

He added that since 2024, the group has expanded its work to operate as a think tank. Over this period, it has published three books and more than 40 reports, while also preparing and submitting analytical materials to international organisations and relevant institutions.

Abbasov also highlighted the group’s international engagement, noting that it has established cooperation with more than nine overseas territories that continue to experience the effects of colonialism, as well as with more than 15 countries affected by neocolonial policies.

“We have successfully established cooperation with more than 9 overseas territories, which unfortunately still suffer from colonialism, and have also successfully established cooperation with more than 15 countries affected by neocolonial policy. In addition, we have established cooperation with international organisations and their institutions such as the UN and its agencies, the Human Rights Council, the Human Rights Committee, the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and the UN Youth Office, as well as with the Non-Aligned Movement,” he added.

By Tamilla Hasanova