News

On December 18, Associate Professor Hiroaki Mohri (Faculty of Commerce) invited Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Gursel Ismayilzada, to deliver a special lecture to over 150 Waseda students and guests.

Ambassador Ismayilzada presented basic information about Azerbaijan and discussed the country’s economic and business environment as well as its position within the former Soviet Union. The Ambassador went into detail about the dispute between Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region and explained that Azerbaijan is home to many World Heritage Sites, and is growing stronger economically as it gradually expands from the oil industry into other fields.

While responding to a student’s question, the Ambassador told the audience, “Azerbaijan’s tourism industry is growing. There are cultural treasures, wine, and various fruits not only within the capital of Baku, but also around the country.” The Ambassador later recalled when Baku was up for the 2020 Olympics nomination. “I set aside my pride so I could root for Tokyo!” said the Ambassador, making an appeal for friendly relations between the two countries.