A ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Azerbaijan has been held at the Buta Palace.

The President of Azerbaijan and President of the National Olympic Committee Ilham Aliyev attended the ceremony.

The ceremony participants warmly welcomed President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva.

The President made a speech at the ceremony.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

- Dear ladies and gentlemen, dear friends!

It is a wonderful and very significant day in the history of our country today. We celebrate the
20th anniversary of the National Olympic Committee. I cordially salute all the guests who have
come to Azerbaijan to join us in our celebrations of this holiday.

The National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan was established 20 years ago. We all know very
well how difficult the early years of our independence were.

The negative developments unfolding in the country in the first years of independence, the
chaos, crisis, anarchy, economic downturn inevitably had a negative impact on sports.

After the return of great leader Heydar Aliyev to power in 1993, sport, and indeed all other areas,
embarked on a path of success. A public policy was developed and, as in all other areas, we
achieved success in sports.

The history of the National Olympic Committee coincides with the history of our independence.
The National Olympic Committee was established a year after the restoration of independence. It
can be said that since the mid-1990s to the present, a lot has been done in Azerbaijan in the area
of sports and the Olympic movement. The well-known sportsmen, coaches and professionals
who left the country in the first years of independence returned home. Perfect conditions
were created for training, specific steps were taken to develop various sports and strengthen
federations. The Ministry, the National Olympic Committee, federations, sports associations and
clubs began to work like a family, which led to our success in sport.

Indeed, if we look at the history of the development of sports in 20 years, we can see that we
have consistently built up our sporting success. At the same time, our international relations have
expanded and strengthened. The representatives of the countries who have come to Azerbaijan
to take part in this holiday today are our dear guests. Their visit to Azerbaijan also shows how
broad and rich our international relations are.

Azerbaijan is an active member of the International and European Olympic Committees.
Azerbaijan has already become a sports nation. Our success is recognized by international
sporting bodies.

The international support and assessment of the development of sports and the Olympic
movement are at a very high level. With support from international federations, our country
has hosted numerous sporting events, including European and world championships in both
Olympic and non-Olympic sports. In September and October, for the first time in the history of
Azerbaijan, Baku hosted the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the highest level. I can say that
this experience will enable us to organize even more prestigious international competitions in the
future.

Azerbaijan has conducted all international competitions at a high level. Our hospitality and
organizational capabilities and skills have created a unique environment. Most importantly,

all the athletes participating in competitions enjoy excellent conditions. We have an excellent
sports infrastructure and Olympic centers. At the same time, Baku is becoming prettier and
improving, the number of visitors coming to Baku is increasing. I am very glad that the number
of sportsmen among them is also growing every year.

We have a broad approach to the development of sports, we take comprehensive measures. Of
course, first of all, a very successful state policy is conducted in this direction. Thanks to the
state policy, we can introduce Azerbaijan to the world community as a sports nation. It is no
coincidence that 2012 was declared the Year of Sport in Azerbaijan. This is an indicator in itself.

I want to repeat that all the bodies dealing with sport and responsible for its development act
on a single policy. I can say that Azerbaijan is one of a handful of countries where there is no
misunderstanding among the Ministry of Sports, the Olympic Committee, sports federations and
associations. On the contrary, there is maximum understanding and mutual support. Because it is
our common cause.

We can say that sport has become an important factor in the public life of most countries.
Countries compete with each other in sports events, especially the Olympics. It is not by chance
that sporting achievements correspond to the indicators of developed countries. Typically, sport
develops in developed countries. Azerbaijan, as a developing country, has achieved great success
in sports.

Our public policy covers such important areas as the promotion of sport, creation of conditions
for people to engage in sports, enlightenment, education of the young generation. Particularly
important among them is the creation of a new sports infrastructure. I am very pleased that
this program, which was initiated by the National Olympic Committee, has already become
widespread in the country. The first Olympic sports center was built by the National Olympic
Committee in Baku in 2000. After that, 35 regional Olympic centers have been built and put into
operation throughout Azerbaijan, while the construction of eight others is currently under way.
Thus, there will be no city without an Olympic sports center meeting the highest standards in
the near future. Such centers train professional athletes. At the same time, regional children and
youths visit sports clubs and enhance their professionalism.

I am very glad that the younger generation is growing up. Our young people encourage us. At
the first World Youth Olympic Games Azerbaijani youth showed a very good result and finished
in 11th place. This is really a great and historic achievement. It shows that there is continuity in
sport. The younger generation is growing up. Well-known athletes show very good results and
serve as an example for young people and children who strive to emulate champions. And this is
also a very important factor.

We have created an atmosphere in Azerbaijan where it is very honorable and prestigious to be
an athlete. Our Olympic, world and European champions are, in the true sense of the word, our
heroes, there is enormous love and respect for them in society. Although this is a public policy,
it is also evidence of a positive attitude to the sport and athletes in society. Our athletes are very
respected members of society today.

I am very pleased that our outstanding athletes, Olympic, world and European champions are
role models. And so it should be because their actions, activities and attachment to the homeland
also educate the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism.

The activities of regional Olympic centers are very successful and broad, and this the main
source of our human resources. There are very talented young people and children in our regions.
Now they have the conditions to do sports. They should and do use these conditions effectively.
We have a focused policy on sport and the Olympic movement. Azerbaijan is an active member
of the Olympic movement and shares its ideals. Olympic Games are the world's biggest
international event for the number of participating countries, while the Olympic atmosphere of
friendship, brotherhood and mutual understanding is quite unique. There is no other international

event or forum in the world that would epitomize so much the ideas of kindness, mercy, peace
and friendship. Olympic Games are a unique and inimitable format worldwide.

I am very glad that Azerbaijan has successfully participated in Olympic Games and maintains its
sporting glory at a high level.

The participation of Azerbaijan as an independent state in the Summer Olympics began in 1996.
If we look at the dynamics, we can see that our success has been growing each time. In 1996,
our team won one medal, in 2000 three, in 2004 five, in 2008 seven, and in 2012 10 medals,
including two gold, two silver and six bronze. In the medals table Azerbaijan finished the
London Games in 30th place. We were 24th for the total number of medals, 15th among European
and third among Muslim countries. This is a great and historic achievement. It is clear evidence
of the work done in Azerbaijan in the field of sport and the Olympic movement, an indicator of
the country’s successful development.

Azerbaijan is known to the world as a dynamic, modern and young country. Our economic
success is known to the international business community. The economic development observed
in Azerbaijan is unparalleled. Because a three-fold, i.e. 300-per-cent economic growth over
eight to nine years is a unique figure in the world. In all other areas, such as political reform,
social security, the introduction of the ICT – we are in leading positions in all these areas.
These days Baku has hosted the international forum on Internet governance, over 1,000 guests
have come to Azerbaijan from different continents and countries. My meetings with leaders of
international telecommunication organizations show again that Azerbaijan’s progress in this area
is an example for the whole region. Azerbaijan is a regional leader in this field. There is no such
Internet freedom as in Azerbaijan in many countries. Our experience has been studied in the
region. Our progress in the field of the Internet and ICT, investment and plans for the future are
acknowledged by international organizations.

So whatever industry you look at, there are specific programs and specific deadlines for each
of them. At the same time, we have a specific conceptual approach to the future, to the present,
to development in all directions, including sports. I want to repeat that sport is an integral part
of our society. As President of the National Olympic Committee and President of Azerbaijan,
I want ever more people to do sports in Azerbaijan. The popularity is already growing, but it
is still not at the desired level. Every citizen, every young person must exercise. Because sport
means, above all, health and a healthy lifestyle. The vast majority of athletes have good human
qualities. Sport is also a culture, people who do sports feel very comfortable and confident. We
should try to form a healthy youth. Sport has a large role in matters related to health. Of course,
as in other areas. The environmental situation, clean air, quality food, clean drinking water – all
these issues are resolved in Azerbaijan, including sports. All these factors serve one goal – our
citizens must live well, in prosperity, be healthy and serve their people and country.

In short, sport is not just a competition, not just a victory. Whenever our national flag is raised
and anthem played, every patriotic citizen of Azerbaijan is proud to experience these wonderful
moments. Because the victory of the country, the victory of our athletes, our success delight
every patriotic citizen. But sport is not just a victory in a competition. Sport has a large and
diverse influence in society. I want to return to my previous idea: sport usually develops in
developed countries. So the development of sport is an indicator of overall development of a
country.

Although our independence is only 21 years old, our state has asserted itself. Azerbaijan enjoys
great international respect. The international community supports us, and clear evidence of
this was our election to the UN Security Council last year. A total of 155 countries supported
us, showed their respect, confidence and trust. Azerbaijan is actively involved in the processes
ongoing in the world. So we work hard both in the regional and international arena. We have a
clear and independent policy, we conduct successful economic reforms. Among all the factors I
have mentioned sport also has an important place.

I have no doubt that sport and the Olympic movement will develop rapidly in Azerbaijan in
the years. The major Olympic centers and sports facilities currently under construction in Baku
demonstrate once again our extensive and well-considered policies.

A new Olympic stadium is currently under construction in Baku. This 70,000-seat stadium will
be the largest and most modern Olympic stadium in the region. A large gymnastics center is
also under construction. We recently began the construction of a modern aquatic center. This
year we also built the large Chrystal Hall required for sporting events in Baku. Stadiums and
sports facilities are built in the regions. Our work in this area will be continued, we will create
a sports infrastructure to allow Baku to host any international competition. This is precisely our
goal. I hope we will achieve our goals in this direction. I believe that in the time left for the next
Olympic Games we must succeed in the sports that are non-traditional for us.

The outcomes and successes of each Olympic Games, the frustration experienced sometimes
are also a kind of a roadmap for future work. Because both successes and failures should, as
they say, teach us how to increase success in our traditional sports, what steps to take to train
professionals in the new sports for us.

I think that in terms of the number of medals and performance of our athletes, the London
Games deserve a good assessment. Ten medals were won. But we all know that at least another
five should have been won. Our athletes were close to that. The value of some medals should
have been higher. We remember some moments of the Olympics. But the injustice that was
observed sometimes should not knock us out of the way. We must work with even more
perseverance and determination to increase our success.

The 20th anniversary of the National Olympic Committee is celebrated in Baku today. These
commemorative events have been held in Baku for a few days.

This reception brings together our guests, our outstanding athletes, the sports community. I
congratulate the entire sporting community, the people of Azerbaijan on this wonderful event
again. I wish the athletes new victories, new success. Thank you!

XXX

The next speaker, a member of the Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committee and President of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia, Janez Kocijancic, conveyed greetings on behalf of the President and members of the Executive Committee of the European Olympic Committee. “Congratulations, you have made great progress and fantastic achievements in sports,” he said, noting that this was confirmed by Azerbaijan’s success at the London Games.

Describing Azerbaijan as a forward-looking sports nation, Janez Kocijancic presented a gift on behalf of the European Olympic Committee to President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the National Olympic Committee.

The President of the International Wrestling Federation, Rafael Martinetti, spoke about the close collaboration between the structure he is leading and the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan and expressed gratitude on behalf of all the wrestlers for the support provided to the development of sport in Azerbaijan, in particular wrestling.

The ceremony continued with a concert.