Kazakhstan proposes ski competition in memory of Azerbaijani national hero

Kazakhstan has put forward a proposal to dedicate a ski competition for children in the member states of the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts to honour Azerbaijani National Hero Hokuma Aliyeva.

The suggestion was made by Kazakh Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports Yerzhan Yerkinbayev during the Eurasian Mountain Tourism Forum in Shahdag, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Speaking at the forum, Yerkinbayev stated, “She was a true hero, whose professionalism and selflessness saved lives.”

Hokuma Aliyeva, a senior flight attendant with Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), tragically died on December 25, 2024, when an Embraer E-190 aircraft traveling from Baku to Grozny crashed. Aliyeva was posthumously honoured with the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan due to her remarkable courage and dedication in saving the lives of passengers during the tragic incident.

The much-anticipated Eurasian Mountain Tourism Forum has officially launched at the Shahdag Tourism Centre, marking a significant event for the region’s tourism industry. 

Organised by the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts in collaboration with the tourism centre, the forum is a key component of the second Festival of Mountain Resorts of Eurasia. The event has brought together over 150 tourism professionals from across Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, South Korea, Belarus, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan, with representatives from Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency in attendance. The forum, which runs until March 6, will address several important topics, including the Alliance's work plan for 2025-2026, the advancement of mountain tourism, the development of new tourist routes, and resort safety. 

Discussions will also focus on enhancing cooperation among the countries and establishing a unified set of standards within the Alliance. A key highlight of the forum is the exchange of ideas on strengthening ties with Central Asian countries, and the participants are expected to outline projects to foster greater collaboration in the tourism sector. In addition to the talks, the forum features exciting activities, including ski competitions among representatives of the Alliance member states and a vibrant festival covering national cuisines from across the region.

By Naila Huseynova