Türkiye’s Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) plans to launch a joint project with Azerbaijan’s International Development Agency (AIDA) in several African countries.

TİKA Chairman Abdullah Eren announced the plans during a panel discussion at the Baku conference titled “Promoting Global Solidarity through Cooperation for Humanitarian Support and Development”, The Caspian Post reports.

Eren did not disclose details of the planned project but highlighted TİKA’s extensive international network.

“We are represented in 53 countries, where 57 of our offices operate. In some countries, more than one representation has been opened - for example, in Afghanistan [in Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat and Kabul] and Pakistan [in Islamabad and Karachi]. But we clearly see that it is necessary to find reliable and sincere partners within the country. When providing assistance, we understand that the management and further sustainability of projects in one way or another remain with the local partner. Therefore, the key task is to build capacity and expand the opportunities of the local population,” Eren said.

Somalia’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Abdinur Dahir Fidow highlighted AIDA’s role in providing humanitarian assistance to countries in need and praised Azerbaijan’s focus on education.

“For Somalia, the topic of today’s conference is especially relevant. My country has repeatedly faced humanitarian challenges, food shortages, displacement and other difficulties. This experience has demonstrated the importance of international solidarity and the need to address the root causes of vulnerability to ensure the sustainability of communities and overcome crises,” the diplomat said.

South Korea’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kang Kym gu spoke about his country’s transition from an aid recipient to a donor.

“This is a unique experience that many traditional donors do not have, and it is one of Korea’s strengths as a development cooperation partner. I believe this is also one of Azerbaijan’s strengths. Azerbaijan and Korea have different histories and different experiences, but I believe our common path as donor countries gives us a deeper understanding of each other and creates a special bond between our countries,” the ambassador said.

Azerbaijani MP Fariz Ismayilzade also highlighted AIDA’s international work, saying he had personally witnessed the agency’s assistance to countries in need.

“I am very proud that today my country is a donor country. We provide assistance to more than 150 countries. This demonstrates the strengthening of our country, our society and our foreign policy. I have recently been in Ethiopia and seen the excellent work our mission is doing there,” Ismayilzade said.