Community Nexus: Exploring the Role of American Azerbaijanis in Enhancing Bilateral Ties

The United States-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC) is pleased to present the

COMMUNITY NEXUS:

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF AMERICAN AZERBAIJANIS IN ENHANCING BILATERAL TIES

CONFERENCE

OPENING SESSION

Welcome notes by Natig Bakhishov, USACC Executive Director

Keynote Speech by Dr. Shapoor Ansari, MD, Member of the USACC Board of Directors

Keynote remarks by Ahmad Obali, Founder and President of GunAz TV

PANEL 1: TRADE & BUSINESS

ELSHAN BALOGHLANOV

Managing Director, WCC International, LLC

Maryland

LALA RAGIM

Real Estate Expert in the DMV area

Member of the National Association of Realtors 

Virginia

MAHIR ISKENDER

Serial Entrepreneur, Co-Founder

digno.io and Rabalon USA

Virginia

EMIN SAFAROV *

Staff Manager & Registered Principal 

Western & Southern Financial Group

Illinois

Moderator: Natig Bakhishov, USACC Executive Director

PANEL 2: EDUCATIONAL LINKAGES

DR. JAMES WILLIAMS

Professor, International Education and International Affairs

George Washington University

SHIRO NAKATA

Senior Economist

Europe & Central Asia, Education Global Practice

The World Bank

Moderator: Dr. Sevinj Mammadova, Associate Program Director, George Washington University

PANEL 3: CULTURAL AND SOCIAL BONDS

JAMILA JAVADOVA-SPITZBERG

Adjunct Lecturer, University of Texas at Dallas

Executive Director, Azerbaijan-American Music Foundation

Texas

DR. MUZHGAN NAZAROVA

Turkic Languages Librarian

Library of Congress

North Carolina

DR. JEIRAN HASSAN *

Assistant Professor, Music (Flute)

Utah State University

Utah

DR. MICHAEL GUL

Director of Human Resources

UHS of Delaware 

North Spring Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.

Virginia

Moderator: Vasif Eyvazzade, President, Global Peace for Human Security Council

This event is dedicated to examining the contributions of American Azerbaijanis in advancing trade, education, culture, and social linkages between the United States and Azerbaijan.

The forum will convene community leaders, business representatives, and professionals from the American-Azerbaijani community to delve into the significance of community engagement in fostering strong connections between the two nations.

Currently, tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis consider the United States their home, maintaining robust ties to their ancestral homeland, Azerbaijan. These connections play a crucial role in fostering better understanding between cultures, boosting trade, and bringing the finest American knowledge and expertise to Azerbaijan.

Panel description:

Trade and Business:

• Exploring opportunities for business partnerships between Azerbaijan and the United States.
• Discussing challenges and solutions for promoting bilateral trade and investment.
• Sharing success stories of Azerbaijani businesses thriving in the U.S. market.

Educational Linkages:

• Exploring avenues for academic partnerships between Azerbaijani and American institutions.
• Discussing scholarship programs and initiatives to facilitate student exchanges.
• Addressing challenges and proposing strategies to enhance educational ties.

Cultural and Social ties:

• Celebrating and preserving Azerbaijani cultural heritage in the United States.
• Discussing the role of the community in building bridges and fostering a deeper understanding between the two nations.
• Sharing ideas for community-led projects that contribute to the overall relationship.

REGISTRATION is required.

* online presenters