Young leaders from GUAM countries gather in Baku
Baku, 23 December (AZERTAC). GUAM Young Leaders Forum has kicked off in Baku bringing together delegates from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as government experts on youth affairs and members of the diplomatic corps.
Initiated by Azerbaijan`s Youth and Sports Ministry and Azerbaijan Students Youth Organizations` Union, ASYOU, the forum is aimed at strengthening partnership and experience exchange among young leaders of GUAM member countries, supporting their participation in the EU Eastern Partnership Programme, and improving cooperation among GUAM countries` national youth organizations.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Azeri deputy youth and sport minister Intigam Babayev expressed hope “the forum will contribute to developing mutual partnership and implementing new projects”.
GUAM Youth Forum chairman Ilqar Mustafayev said the forum was founded in Kiev, Ukraine, in 2007. “Under the forum`s charter, its chairmanship changes every two years on a rotating basis,” he added.
ASYOU chairman Shahin Seyidzade said “apart from discussions the forum`s participants will have a chance to familiarize themselves with rich history and culture of Azerbaijan, particularly its capital Baku”.
The opening ceremony featured the presentation of Azerbaijan Youth Fund set up with the aim of assisting the implementation of youth programs in the country.
The forum will include plenary sessions which will see the participants discuss a wide range of topics, including military and ethnic conflicts, youth`s entrepreneurship activities, youth organizations, and social media and the Internet.
The forum will adopt the Baku declaration, in which young leaders from GUAM member states will outline new areas of their activities.
Other news in this section
