I have learned with deep sorrow the demise of H.E. Azad Rahimov, Minister of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan. I wish Allah’s mercy be upon him and convey my heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to his family, colleagues and all youth and sportsmen of brotherly Azerbaijan on his untimely loss. 
Minister Rahimov has made invaluable contributions to the youth and sports agenda of the Turkic Council. He generously hosted plenty of youth and sports activities of the Turkic Council in Azerbaijan such as a meeting of Ministers of Youth and Sports of the Turkic Council, Turkic Council International Youth Camp, International Youth Festival, Young Leaders Forum, General Assembly of the Youth Platform, Turkic University Sports Games (Turkic Universiade), and International Professional Kick Boxing Tournament, to name but a few. He also actively participated in all ministerial meetings and youth and sports activities, as well as enriched the ongoing cooperation among the brotherly countries with new ideas and initiatives stemming from his rich experience.  
The youth and sports cooperation within the framework of the Turkic Council that Minister Rahimov has greatly supported will continue unabated and reach further horizons, and his remarkable contributions will always be remembered by the youngsters and sportsmen of the Turkic Speaking countries.
Baghdad Amreyev
Secretary General of the Turkic Council