BIG, Burkina Faso's Foreign Ministry Institute ink memorandum PHOTO

The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Institute for Advanced International Studies of Burkina Faso's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking the organisation's first cooperation agreement with a state institution in Africa.

The memorandum was signed in Baku on July 11 by BIG Executive Director Abbas Abbasov and Philippe Sandwidi, Director General of the Institute for Advanced International Studies, Caliber.Az reports per the BIG press release.

According to BIG, the agreement is intended to expand the organisation's engagement with African partners and strengthen cooperation with research institutes, think tanks and civil society organisations across the continent.

The memorandum provides for joint analytical reports and policy papers on issues including the legacy of colonialism in Africa, neocolonial governance, the exploitation of natural resources, mechanisms of economic dependency and reparations. The parties also plan to promote these initiatives within international organisations and develop joint proposals in these areas.

The agreement also envisages the participation of BIG experts in events held in African countries, as well as exchange and training programmes for young researchers and other academic cooperation.

BIG said the memorandum represents a significant step in expanding its activities in Africa. While the organisation has previously signed cooperation agreements with political parties and movements in various countries, this is its first partnership with a government institution on the continent.

By Sabina Mammadli