The “Women Entrepreneurs Forum – Nakhchivan 2026” was held with the joint organization of the Ministry of Economy of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Azerbaijan Association for the Development of Women Entrepreneurship, the Nakhchivan Regional Coordinator Office of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan, and the National Confederation of Entrepreneur Organizations (Employers) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
First, the participants visited the monument to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev erected in the central square of Nakhchivan city, laid flowers at the monument, paid tribute to the cherished memory of the National Leader, and visited the Heydar Aliyev Museum, where they viewed exhibits reflecting his life and activities.
Later, at the Nakhchivan State National Drama Theatre, where the forum was held, the guests first familiarized themselves with an exhibition-sale showcasing handicrafts created by talented women from the autonomous republic, as well as products manufactured by local entrepreneurs. The exhibition-sale was met with great interest by the guests.
The official part of the forum then commenced. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played, and the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs was commemorated with a minute of silence.
During the official part, speeches were delivered by Kazim Huseynaliyev, Minister of Economy of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic; Sakina Babayeva, Chairperson of the Board of the Azerbaijan Association for the Development of Women Entrepreneurship Public Union; Ramila Seyidova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic; and Vugar Abbasov, Vice President of the Azerbaijan Confederation of Entrepreneurs and Chairman of the Board of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Confederation of Entrepreneurs.
Within the framework of the forum, plaques were presented to women entrepreneurs by Ramila Seyidova, Kazim Huseynaliyev, Sakina Babayeva, and Vugar Abbasov in recognition of their contributions to the development of entrepreneurship and their successful activities.
The Azerbaijan Association for the Development of Women Entrepreneurship presented certificates of appreciation to the heads of the Ministry of Economy of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Confederation of Entrepreneurs for their support as partners in organizing the forum.
The forum continued with panel discussions on the topics of “State Support and New Opportunities in the Development of Women’s Entrepreneurship” and “Innovation and Sustainable Development: The Role of Youth in Agribusiness and Digital Entrepreneurship.” Questions raised during the panel discussions were answered by representatives of the participating institutions and entrepreneurs.
