Baku, July 21, AZERTAC
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regional cooperation and Burkinabe abroad of Burkina Faso posted on its official Facebook account about a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) and the ministry’s Institute for Advanced International Studies, in Baku, on July 11.
This cooperation was described as an important step in expanding the geography of BIG's activities in Africa. While BIG has previously signed such documents with political parties and political movements in various countries, it has now established cooperation with a government institution.
The document envisages the development of result-oriented cooperation with leading research institutes, think tanks, and civil society organizations in African countries, as well as strengthening scientific and practical ties and implementing joint initiatives between BIG and partners in the Global South.
Within the framework of the cooperation, it is planned to prepare joint analytical reports and policy papers on the problems created by colonialism in Africa, neocolonial governance, the exploitation of natural resources, mechanisms of economic dependence, and issues of reparations, as well as to present them to the international community. The parties agreed to expand cooperation and put forward joint initiatives within the framework of international organizations in these areas.
Within the framework of the cooperation, it is also planned to hold regular dialogues, joint research projects, and annual international conferences on decolonization and neocolonialism. It was noted that these initiatives will contribute to raising awareness of the realities related to Africa, as well as of crimes against humanity allegedly committed by colonial powers.
Additionally, the Memorandum envisages the participation of BIG experts in events held in African countries. It also provides for exchange and training programs for young researchers, as well as the implementation of other academic activities.