Awarding the Youth on the occasion of the Youth Day

On February 2, on the occasion of the Azerbaijani Youth Day the ceremony of awarding the talented and creative youth was held at the Nizami Cinema Center. In the event, the election of Shamkir the "Azerbaijan Youth capital 2016" has been announced.
The Milli Majlis deputies, well-known Azerbaijani political figures and young people who distinguished themselves in various fields attended the event.
First, a video tape about the Azerbaijani youth was demonstrated.
At the event, the Youth and Sports Minister Azad Rahimov in his speech congratulated the young people on the occasion of this significant day. The minister said that every year, February 2 is traditionally reporting day for the Azerbaijani youth, as well as for the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Twenty years ago on this date, the Ist youth forum was held on the initiative and with the participation of national leader Heydar Aliyev in Azerbaijan which only just regained its independence. Thereby, the Great Leader called the young people for active participation in the country’s life, building the state and formation of civil society, emphasized their specific role. The Azerbaijani youth proved by their activity that they are worthy of this call. During this period, the spiritual and physical health of the younger generation has strengthened, their knowledge, creativity, initiative and participation have expanded.
A.Rahimov noted that the state youth policy which has been successfully implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, is developing at a qualitatively new stage. Consistent and sustainable projects have been implemented in this area. The legal basis and infrastructure have developed and improved, new forms of participation created, and international cooperation of young people strengthened. Two State Programs elaborated with regard to the youth cover the period until 2025. The youth development strategy covers the interests of all categories of young people, and is implemented with their close participation.
The minister said that a few days ago, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a meeting with a group of young people. The president's attention to youth is not only a gladness, but also responsibility and challenge for all of us.
A.Rahimov said: "2015 was a tense, successful, exciting and pride-filled year for our youth. The Ist European games held in Azerbaijan were not only major sporting event, but also turned into a great historical and cultural festival. The Games demonstrated the uniqueness of our country and people, the political will and the authority of the state administration, the state's economic strength, practical work, reliable partnership. As a result of special attention and the tireless work of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, chairperson of the Organizing Committee Mehriban Aliyeva, the Ist European Games were written in the history of this movement as the games of high appreciation, impeccable management, sincere attitude, peace and friendship. In other words, Baku-2015 relieved the true Olympic principles. There is also a share of young people in this great victory. Both the hard fight of our athletes and the preparedness of volunteers, their free of charge activities and hospitality were appreciated by everybody."
The Minister emphasized the care and attention to the Azerbaijani youth ongoing at a high level and the expansion of international relations of young people in 2015, and said that last year, 91 events were held in the field of work with youth. He noted that 76 of them were local, while 15 were international events.
Then, the young people nominated for the President’s award in 2016, were awarded.
Those who achieved best results in various events held in the main directions of the state youth policy implemented in our country were presented with the "Youth Award"  established by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Then, the election of Shamkir the "Azerbaijan Youth capital 2016" has been announced. It was stated that up to three thousand people participated in the online voting at the www.genclerpaytaxti.az site.
The executive director of the Youth Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Farhad Hajiyev presented the city's symbolic key to the head of youth and sports department of Shamkir region Emin Ismayilov.
At the end, a concert of famous masters of the art was held.

XXX               XXX                      XXX
Speech by the Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov
Dear participants,
Dear young people,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I heartily congratulate all the country's young people on the occasion of the Azerbaijani Youth Day, and wish you to be always active in our country’s life, to leave your mark in history.
February 2 is traditionally reporting day for us. Exactly 20 years ago on this date, the Ist youth forum was held on the initiative and with the participation of national leader Heydar Aliyev in Azerbaijan which only just regained its independence. Thereby, the Great Leader called the young people for active participation in the country’s life, building the state and formation of civil society, emphasized their specific role. The Azerbaijani youth proved by their activity that they are worthy of this call. During this period, the spiritual and physical health of the younger generation has strengthened, their knowledge, creativity, initiative and participation have expanded.
The state youth policy which has been successfully implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, is developing at a qualitatively new stage. Consistent and sustainable projects have been implemented in this area. The legal basis and infrastructure have developed and improved, new forms of participation created, and international cooperation of young people strengthened. Two State Programs elaborated with regard to the youth cover the period until 2025. The youth development strategy covers the interests of all categories of young people, and is implemented with their close participation.
As you know, 5 days ago Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a meeting with a group of young people. The president's attention to youth is not only a gladness, but also responsibility and challenge for all of us. I would like to remind once again these words: "The youth as active members of our society, of course, play an active role in all activities. I am sure that it will be so in the future and expect activity from young people." I should note that it was the 14th meeting of our honorable President with youth, and solely this figure has a high value in any historical and geographical comparison.
2015 was a tense, successful, exciting and pride-filled year for our youth. The Ist European games held in Azerbaijan were not only major sporting event, but also turned into a great historical and cultural festival. The Games demonstrated the uniqueness of our country and people, the political will and the authority of the state administration, the state's economic strength, practical work, reliable partnership. As a result of special attention and the tireless work of the First Lady of Azerbaijan, chairperson of the Organizing Committee Mehriban Aliyeva, the Ist European Games were written in the history of this movement as the games of high appreciation, impeccable management, sincere attitude, peace and friendship. In other words, Baku-2015 relieved the true Olympic principles. There is also a share of young people in this great victory. Both the hard fight of our athletes and the preparedness of volunteers, their free of charge activities and hospitality were appreciated by everybody.
President Ilham Aliyev highly appreciated the activities of volunteers in the time of competitions: "A large part of the burden in the course of the Games has fallen on them. Volunteers showed once again that our country has great potential, human capital. Today's young people who grew up and received education in the years of independence, is a source of pride for us."
In 2015, the union of enterprises providing social services to young people expanded. On January 13, 2015 the next "Youth Home" was put into operation in Sumgayit with the participation of Mr. President. Also the opening of "Youth home" built in Garadagh district took place, the construction works were completed in the Binagadi and Tovuz regions. At present, a total of 34 Youth Homes were handed over to young people in Baku and the regions.
Last year, to encourage the young people’s interest in science the conduction of online Olympiads within the "Talents Preparation Laboratory" project continued. To preserve the cultural heritage among young people, to promote the history and culture of Azerbaijan, the "Live Pages of History" festival was held in the Ateshgah temple and Lankaran region.
The works carried out for the development of international relations of Azerbaijani youth successfully continued. To develop the skills of young people in the field of international relations and diplomacy, the summer training camp on the "UN Model" was successfully held in the Dashkesen Youth Training and Recreation Center. In general, in 2015, 91 events were held in the field of work with youth, 76 of which were domestic, while 15 were international events. In this field in 2015, 199 people were sent to foreign countries, and 771 those were receibed in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Last year was the final year of the "Azerbaijani youth in 2011-2015 State Program". The analysis shows that the program has established a number of major frameworks. In the coming years, we will continue the development according to the results obtained based on these frameworks.
The preparation for the World Chess Olympiad, the final matches of the U-17 European Football Championship among boys and the Baku City Circuit of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe to be held in the country this year, successfully continues. We believe that the competitions will be organized at the highest level, and we will demonstrate once again the history and beauty of Baku to Europe via example of the Formula 1 fans.
Dear young people, I wish you great success in 2016, and active participation in the establishment of the confident future of Azerbaijan.
Thank you very much for your attention.