OIC youth delegates tour Shusha and Khankendi, explore Karabakh’s history PHOTO

Participants of the international program "Shusha - Youth Capital of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 2024" recently toured Shusha and Khankendi.

The visit included stops at Karabakh University and Khankendi town square, followed by a tour of Yukhari Govharagha Mosque and Shusha Fortress, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The visitors were briefed on the towns' history, including their prolonged occupation by Armenian forces.

The program concluded on December 4 with a ceremony marking the end of the "Shusha – OIC Youth Capital 2024" event, which was jointly organized by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Youth and Sports, the OIC Youth Forum, and the Ministry of Culture.

 The event began with the performance of Azerbaijan's National Anthem, followed by a moment of silence in honour of martyrs who gave their lives for the country.

Aydin Karimov, the presidential representative in Shusha, spoke about the destruction caused by the Armenian occupation. Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sports, Farid Gayibov, expressed gratitude to the youth from Islamic countries for their participation and pride in hosting the event in Shusha, Azerbaijan's cultural capital. He also highlighted Azerbaijan's success in organizing major international events, including the COP29 conference.

The three-day program saw participation from around 300 representatives of OIC member and observer states, as well as youth and volunteers.

In October 2023, the OIC Youth Forum named Shusha as the OIC Youth Capital for 2024.

At the ceremony's conclusion, Shusha's youth presented a symbolic key to the "Youth Capital" to representatives from Morocco, where next year's OIC Youth Capital Forum will be held.

By Tamilla Hasanova