OEC chief commends President Aliyev for reviving women’s forum in Azerbaijan After 40 years

A women’s forum has been organised in Azerbaijan for the first time in four decades, thanks to an initiative by President Ilham Aliyev, the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation (OEC) has said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the sixth OEC Business Forum held in the city of Shusha, Asad Majeed Khan praised the Azerbaijani government and the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs for their efforts in arranging the event, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

“I must thank the Government of Azerbaijan and the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs for organising this first-ever women’s forum here in the beautiful city of Lachin.

To be honest, it took us nearly 40 years to hold such a forum. I am especially grateful to the leadership of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev for his visionary initiative,” Khan said.

The forum brought together leaders and representatives from across the OEC region to discuss ways women can play a more active and effective role in the organisation’s activities and contribute to sustainable development, prosperity, and progress in the region.

The inaugural Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Women’s Forum is being held in Lachin as part of ECO Week, an initiative launched by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to promote regional cooperation and sustainable development.

The forum brings together women leaders from ECO member states and international organisations to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration and expand opportunities for women in areas such as education, climate resilience, and digital innovation.

It serves as a platform for dialogue and experience-sharing, aiming to enhance women’s roles in building inclusive and stable societies.

Organised alongside the 6th ECO Business Forum in Fuzuli, the event highlights gender inclusion, youth engagement, and economic connectivity as core themes of ECO Week, which runs from July 1 to 4 across several Azerbaijani cities.

ECO Week will culminate in the 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi on July 3–4, where Heads of State, ministers, and international partners will convene to discuss strategies for advancing regional prosperity.

Founded by countries including Azerbaijan and Iran, the ECO promotes economic, cultural, and trade cooperation across Central Asia, the Middle East, and South Asia.

By Aghakazim Guliyev