Reverse Linkage

88 REVERSE LINKAGE H elping those in need is one of the traditional values of the Azerbaijani people. Care and hospitality are deeply rooted in the culture of the nation, one that has chosen an independent path of foreign policy, based on historical experience, current achievements and a firm vision for the future. Dynamic economic development over the last decade has enabled a transformation from a recipient to an emerging donor of foreign aid. Today, Azerbaijan provides humanitarian, technical and financial aid to other developing countries to facilitate their efforts towards attaining prosperity and better living standards. Azerbaijan is an active partici- pant of South-South Cooperation (SSC) and widely shares its experience and know-how with interested parties. In the early years of independence, the Republic of Azerbaijan was confronted not only with social and economic challenges, but also with political instability aggravated by conflict with neighbouring Armenia over the Nagorno Karabagh region, resulting in the occupation of Azerbaijan territories and the notorious ethnic cleans- ing. The country faced humanitarian catastrophe with the expulsion of more than one million Azerbaijanis from their homeland. During these difficult times the country received continuous help and support from the international commu- nity. Today, politically stable and economically developed, Azerbaijan is a good example for many developing coun- tries. The government continues to show its gratitude for the aid and support provided by donor countries and interna- tional organizations to help overcome the initial challenges of a newly-established state and is keen to assist countries facing similar challenges in socio-economic development. The strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) serves to foster prosper- ity and stability worldwide. 2017 has been declared Year of Islamic Solidarity by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev. This initiative shows the country’s willingness to promote friendly and peaceful coexistence through all Muslim countries. In celebration of prominent achievements in sport and the important role that sport plays in developing mutual understanding and tolerance between nations, Azerbaijan hosted the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in May 2017. The purpose of this event was to strengthen Islamic Solidarity at all levels, inter- national, national and local. Partnership with international organizations has flour- ished in diverse areas, including development assistance and humanitarian aid, with IsDB currently among Azerbaijan’s main partners in promoting global sustainable development. The Azerbaijan government is highly committed to assisting the sustainable socio-economic development of developing countries, for which purpose the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established in 2011. The agency is an important tool through which Azerbaijan provides humanitarian and development assistance to countries that are in need of it. Healthcare and governance are among the main areas of cooperation in which Azerbaijan has achieved significant progress. AIDA works to ensure the exchange of know-how and experience in these areas between interested parties. The various programmes are designed to share Azerbaijan’s best practice with the developing world, involv- Alliance to Fight Avoidable Blindness, a strategic partnership Nigar Asgarova, Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) A man getting ready for prayer after successful cataract surgery by Azerbaijani doctors, Cameroon, 2013 Image: AIDA