The 5th Annual CAMCA Regional Forum has kicked off at ADA University in Baku.

‘CAMCA’ stands for Central Asia, Mongolia, Caucasus and Afghanistan, countries that are a part of the Central Asia-Caucasus Fellowship Program of the Rumsfeld Foundation and Central Asia-Caucasus Institute. It is not only massive in terms of geographical coverage, but also in terms of its goals. The CAMCA Network is unique in its aim to boost regional cooperation by creating linkages between rising leaders across all sectors in the ‘CAMCA’ countries.

The CAMCA Regional Forum grew out of the Rumsfeld Fellowship Program and is an initiative of the program’s impressive and growing alumni network.

The Forum was established to provide a creative platform for region-wide discussions on means of advancing economic growth, social development and regional cooperation in the CAMCA region.

The Forum was established as one of the first and only platforms to bring together representatives of the 10 CAMCA countries spanning from the South Caucasus to Mongolia to discuss opportunities for regional cooperation.

The CAMCA network is a collection of professionals committed to sharing ideas, knowledge, expertise, experience and inspiration across the 10 countries of Central Asia, Mongolia, the Caucasus and Afghanistan (CAMCA). This new generation of regional leaders values free market economic systems, good governance, the rule of law and basic human freedoms; supports the sovereignty of their countries and traditional national values; and acknowledges the importance of regional and global cooperation. As an initiative of alumni of the Central Asia-Caucasus Fellowship Program, members of the CAMCA Network believe in the value of a connected region and are passionate to contribute to the development, prosperity and cooperation of the CAMCA region through a variety of joint activities and projects.

The Rumsfeld Foundation encourages leadership, public service and free political and economic systems in the U.S. and abroad. The Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for rising leaders, honoring service to nation and to promoting liberty.

The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI) strives to promote study and policy-related work on the vast territory of Central Eurasia stretching from Turkey to Western China, encompassing eight former Soviet republics as well as Afghanistan through five main channels: impartial research; publications and dissemination; forums and conferences; teaching; and acting as a "switchboard" for knowledge and information. Founded in 1997, CACI is affiliated with the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, D.C., and forms a Joint Transatlantic Research and Policy Center with the Institute for Security and Development Policy’s Silk Road Studies Program in Stockholm.

Baku CAMCA Regional Forum attracts high-level regional and international speakers and influencers representing government, business, science, education and civil society from 20 countries.

In his remarks, rector of ADA University Hafiz Pashayev expressed his confidence that the forum will feature fruitfull discussions and that the participants will familiarize themselves with Azerbaijan.

Addressing the event, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Novruz Mammadov praised the Rumsfeld Foundation’s activities. He underlined that the Foundation aims to train leaders. “Such organizations should play a key role in shaping intergovernmental relations,” he said.

PM Mammadov noted that Azerbaijan is located in a volatile, but also an important region of the world, where East and West, and the Christian and Muslim worlds meet. “Azerbaijan is a country rich in economic and human resources. Azerbaijan embarked on cooperation with the West and Europe, and has not changed its position so far, implementing major projects in this regard. Azerbaijan plays a role in restoring the Silk Road, linking Baku and Europe via railways. Azerbaijan has successfully implemented energy projects so far.”

Prime Minister Novruz Mammadov also highlighted Azerbaijan’s significant contributions to ensuring peace, security and stability both inside the country and in the region.

He provided an insight into the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The prime minister said no world media highlight the refugee problem in the country, adding that however biased and fake news regularly appear in the European press. Novruz Mammadov said that although the UN Security Council adopted resolutions on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, no normal position on the issue has been put forward so far. He said that leaders of world powers do not highlight international law, justice in their speeches, statements. “When there is no justice, there is a wrong approach. Azerbaijan has been waiting for a fair stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for over 25 years. When there is no justice, the world faces such a situation,” PM Mammadov said.