From May 31 to June 2, the 12th Conference of Tourism Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was held in Khiva, Uzbekistan, under the theme "Development of a Sustainable and Resilient Tourism Industry".

A delegation from the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan represented the country at the event. As part of the conference, a meeting of Senior Officials from OIC member states took place, followed by the Ministerial Conference on June 2, during which Uzbekistan assumed the chairmanship of the forum.

Speaking at the event, Kenan Guluzade, Advisor to the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, highlighted that in the first four months of 2024, 43% of visitors to Azerbaijan were from OIC member states, underscoring the strengthening tourism ties within the OIC framework. He also emphasized Azerbaijan’s vast tourism potential and the state’s commitment to the sector’s development, particularly in the restoration of tourism infrastructure and Islamic heritage sites in liberated territories.

Additionally, Kenan Guluzade informed participants that in November 2024, Azerbaijan will host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), noting that beyond climate discussions, the event will have significant implications for the tourism sector.

During the conference, Dakar (Senegal) was designated as the Islamic World Tourism Capital for 2025, Cairo (Egypt) for 2026, and Lahore (Pakistan) for 2027.