Closing sitting of the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games’ Organising Committee

Closing sitting of the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games’ Organising Committee took place, presided over by First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, April 21.

Chairperson of the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games’ Organising Committee Mehriban Aliyeva addressed the sitting:

- Esteemed participants of the event.

There is less than a month left before the official opening of the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games, and today, we are holding the closing sitting of the Organizing Committee. We have to be certain that our capital is fully ready to inaugurate and hold the Games, and that all measures have been taken, the actions plan associated with the holding of the Games, covering all the directions, is being fulfilled by relevant responsible structures.

Very significant large-scale events have been held so far in Azerbaijan, and organization of each such event has received very high appreciation. We approach every issue with high degree of responsibility and are trying to reach achievements our country and people deserve, giving priority to Azerbaijan’s interests and international image. A number of large international sports competitions – both European and world championships – have been held in the Azerbaijani capital. According to general opinion, these events have been prepared and held on the highest level, from the organizational standpoint. The first European Games were held in Baku in 2015, which was a great success. These Games opened a new page in Europe’s Olympics history. According to the general view, the state of Azerbaijan organized the first European Games on the level of Olympic Games. I am hopeful the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games too have been prepared perfectly, and they will go down the history as the previous games did.

Azerbaijan is part and parcel of the Muslim world. Azerbaijan has built its relations with all Muslim countries on the basis of friendship, brotherhood and mutual respect, and great achievements have been reached in this sphere. Unfortunately, wars are waged in a number of Muslim countries, new conflicts, threats arise, and the number of forces associating the Islamic religion with terror increases. No religion, including Islam, may have any relationship with terror. A religion in itself is a factor denouncing terror, and Islam is a religion of peace and mercy. I think bringing the whole Islamic world together, uniting them around such factors as friendship, brotherhood, peace and cooperation will both become a great sports holiday and give its contribution to strengthening of cooperation in the Islamic world, among Muslim countries.

Our country has been known worldwide as a sports country. The support that the state of Azerbaijan has provided for the development of sport and the Olympic movement in Azerbaijan has been appreciated very highly by the whole world. The results of the policy pursued is obvious. First of all, this is associated with the achievements Azerbaijani sportsmen have reached recent years. Last year, our sportsmen were the first among the Muslim countries by the number of medals at the Rio Summer Olympic Games, having won 18 medals. You know very well that in the first European Games, our national team took the second place, having won 56 medals. Of course, all our people is proud of such results, and this is the indicator of the Azerbaijani state’s potential, and the capacity of the people of Azerbaijan. I am hopeful our sportsmen will make us happy during the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games too, and bestow a joy of victory upon us.

Over 3 thousand sportsmen from 57 countries are expected to participate in the Games. This figures in themselves are a record, as none of the Islamic Solidarity Games so far held brought together sportsmen from this number of countries. Athletes will compete during 10 days on 23 types of sport in 16 competition areas, and it is expected that 1600 medals will be presented at the end of the Games. The Games will be covered by over a thousand mass media representatives. The 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games will be broadcast in over 50 countries, with over 1 billion spectators watching them.

Volunteers are expected to play a special role in the holding of the Games. We all very well remember that during the first European Games, our youth demonstrated a very good, skilful and professional job. Their service during the Games were underscored specially by a number of entities, both international and local ones. Over 8 thousand volunteers are participating in the holding of the Islamic Solidarity Games, and I am certain this time too our youth will demonstrate their patriotism, professionalism, hospitality, skills and talent.

A number of actions have been undertaken by the Organizing Committee to date to ensure that the Games are held successfully, and, in general, our city is almost ready for the opening of the Games.

Coordination of the transport sector is one of the most important issues. We know this from our previous practice, and we have to work here in several directions. Timely and safe delivery of the sportsmen to and from the sports facilities, transportation of the onlookers to various sports structures and, of course, easy movement of the city residents during the Games should be secured. Needless to say, general security issues should be paid special attention. Such issues as broad use of information and communication technologies, working out tourism itineraries and cultural programmes should be shown attention. Comprehensive medical service should be ensured. In one word, no issue should remain without attention.

As I had already mentioned, this is our last sitting. We have to be sure that we have approached all issues with due care and are fully ready to hold the Games successfully in our country. Our goal is to ensure that the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games are held on the highest level in Azerbaijan. There is all conditions for this. We have been enjoying the state’s support. The Organising Committee has been working successfully, we have a team, and volunteers are ready. I am certain we will manage to reach another significant achievement in our country’s rich and glorious history.

Now, Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov will take the floor to give more comprehensive information about the Games.

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Mehriban Aliyeva, having summed up the meeting, said:

- Thank you. We have to pay attention to all issues. I would like to once more note that this is our last meeting before the official opening of the Games takes place. We have to be sure that nothing is looked over. Therefore, if there are any issues in any areas that have not been solved yet, we have to discuss them and find a solution. Does anyone want to talk?

I would like to once more underscore that the Organising Committee has approached the preparation works very seriously, and has done a great work. Today’s sitting too shows that our country and capital is fully ready to host and hold the Games on the highest level. We often use the expression “in accordance with world standards”. It seems to me that we have recently created standards of Azerbaijan. You too have participated in a number of international events held abroad. And you have had a chance to compare them. We are trying to prepare every event carefully. We have already big experience in this field. International events covering a number of areas are held in our country. We have received a number of request with regard to holding such events in future. This is to say, Azerbaijan has already shaped its image on the international arena. The international organizations that apply to us are certain that large international events to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, will meet all requirements, both in terms of security, and the organizational requirements. Again, this is, first of all, the indicator of the Azerbaijani state’s potential, and the capacity of the people of Azerbaijan.

I want to thank each of you for the works you have done. Thank you for the works you have carried out at relevant structures. I am very glad we have a well-shaped team. Again, referring to the first European Games, I am sure that the success of the Games was secured, first of all, thanks to the support by the President, the support provided by the people of Azerbaijan, and due to the joint work of a very professional team.

You know that Azerbaijani President Mister Ilham Aliyev has been keeping the preparations for the Games under constant control. Mister President gave very high appreciation to the work of the Organizing Committee in his last speeches. This is, of course, a great honour for us and, at the same time, great responsibility. We have to justify this confidence with all our strength.

As you know, by a resolution of the Azerbaijani President, the year 2017 has been declared the “Year of Islamic Solidarity”. And this, in turn, makes the essence of the Games stronger. I am sure, by our joint efforts, the 4^th Islamic Solidarity Games will be held successfully and go down the history of Azerbaijan as another victory. These Games will both become a great sports holiday and make its contribution to the strengthening of friendship, solidarity and brotherhood in the Muslim world. Thank you once more for your attention. Thank you very much.