Baku,Azerbaijan-On November 12, 2009 Secretary General of Organization of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu was awarded the first ever Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy Outstanding Leadership Award of 2009. In his opening remark, ADA rector Hafiz Pashayev underlined the tremendous efforts undertaken by Mr. Ihsanoglu for strengthening peace, stability and mutual understanding across the world in his position as general secretary of OIC. The rector of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy reiterated that Mr. Ihsanoglu's activity has contributed significantly to reducing tension between different religious groups and the world’s mainstream religions at large.

Prof. Ihsanoglu thanked Mr. Pashayev for the award and lauded the vision of ADA for organizing the two-day conference “Inter-civilizational dialogue: insight from Azerbaijan”. He noted that participants, consisting of researchers, academics, activists and policymakers from across the globe, were given a unique opportunity to witness and participate in the co-existence of modernity and Islam in Azerbaijan.

In his address, Prof. Ihsanoglu emphasized the importance of education in development and international cooperation and reminded the audience to be vigilant in ensuring that Islam and the perception of Muslims in the media should not be dominated or hijacked by radical and extremist tendencies.
The OIC Secretary General underlined the contribution of ADA to educational development in the country which will serve to the better understanding and recognition of Azerbaijan on the global stage.