With its centuries-long history of statehood and the first democratic republic in the Ancient East, Azerbaijan has chosen the path of building a modern democratic state based on its national state traditions, history and cultural heritage. The Republic of Azerbaijan was subjected to military aggression during the initial stage of its independence, faced with internal instability, economic crisis, difficulties in its transition and other challenging problems. Nevertheless, under the wise leadership of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, the Republic of Azerbaijan overcame all these obstacles and determined the right strategic development and is now successfully moving forward under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Commander-in-Chief, Ilham Aliyev to become a modern country developing dynamically from the economic, political and other perspectives.

The Ministry of Defence Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan also contributed to the glorious triumph of our victorious Army in the 44-day war to restore historical justice and international law, which opened a new page in the history of Azerbaijani statehood under the wise leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Ilham Aliyev. Thanks to this brilliant victory, our army has etched its name in gold on the most glorious page of the history of Azerbaijan. As part of this victory, we will take the necessary measures to equip our Army, our source of pride, with more modern weapons and equipment, as well as to strengthen the national defence industry and to boost the local production of military products.

In a world where globalisation is becoming more widespread and dynamically changing, countries are increasingly facing security challenges. Among the measures taken in this direction, the relevance of the exchange of modern technologies and security facilities is steadily increasing. In the context of rapid global changes, individual countries and the whole world face a number of threats, such as terrorism, conflicts, the rise of transnational organised crime, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, environmental pollution and illegal drug trafficking. These factors make it necessary to identify the priorities of each state, the risks to security, and to take adequate measures to prevent and eliminate those risks.

The leading countries of the world will showcase the latest achievements in the field of security and protection, and advanced technology and equipment as part of the Securex Caspian-2022 exhibition that can be attributed to the abovementioned measures. The exhibition will be an effective platform for establishing business contacts and creating new areas of cooperation for reputable foreign companies and organisations from friendly and allied countries worldwide.

By demonstrating the achievements in the field of security and defence, Securex Caspian-2022 will provide extensive opportunities for participants, experts and visitors to learn about new products and technologies, including the sharing of knowledge and experience, and effective business contacts. It will also remain committed to its tradition of establishing mutually beneficial contracts.

I believe that this exhibition will bring together the leading security and rescue organisations and manufacturers in our country and abroad, and will be an important event in the region. The equipment and technology that will be displayed at the exhibition, including the exchange of experience will contribute to the creation of new business relationships and cooperation opportunities with all the participants, as well as to ensuring security and stability in the region.

Once again I feel proud to welcome the exhibitors to Baku and wish them a fruitful time during the exhibition.

ADEX, which has already acquired a traditional character, has become an ideal platform that opens up a wide range of opportunities bringing together military-industrial enterprises, foreign companies, organizations and specialists that play an important role in the development of international military-technical cooperation and which/who are producers of modem weapons and technologies, as well as establishing businesslike relations between/with them and signing new treaties (or contracts).

The support of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, to the ADEX exhibition has given a great impetus and a valuable contribution to the exhibition, enhanced its international authority and image on a global scale, led to an increase in the number of participating countries and companies, as well as interest in the exhibition from year to year.

These exhibitions are important for our country, which actively cooperates with leading countries in the military-technical field and is confidently advancing along the path of establishing its own strong defense industry, in terms of recognizing and promoting the achievements of the defense industry over the world, simultaneously, creates conditions for the exchange of good experience and the strengthening of the scientific and technological capacity building of our national defense industry.

Special attention is paid to the application of new technologies and innovative means in maintaining public order, combating crime, including its transnational organized forms, and, certainly, our constantly strengthening businesslike relations will be a valuable contribution to domestic and international security.

Let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to the organizers and all participants on the opening of the exhibitions and wish them success and new achievements.

Independent Azerbaijan, founded by the national leader Heydar Aliyev, responding to the challenges of the globalizing world with its historical achievements and new development model, and becoming the region’s leading country under the leadership of the President Ilham Aliyev, is regarded by the global power centers, the words and promises of which is trusted in and open for cooperation.

Under the wise leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, the glorious Army of Azerbaijan won a brilliant victory in the 44-day Patriotic War and liberated our ancestral lands occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years and restored territorial integrity At present time, large-scale restoration and reconstruction works are underway in these areas.

As is known, the ultimate goal of the Azerbaijani state is the nation’s welfare, and one of the main terms to ensure it is the citizens’ safety. President Ilham Aliyev, approaching the ensuring of the society’s safety in the light of modern standards, signed a decree on establishment of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan in December 2005, in order to improve the level of protection of the country from emergencies and various hazards along with economic development.

As a result of special care and attention by the President Ilham Aliyev, who since the first day has assigned very strict tasks for us on ensuring the safety of citizens’ life and activity, “applying of every kind of advanced technologies in all spheres in Azerbaijan”, the equipment parks of all bodies of the Ministry of Emergency Situations have been enriched with the most modern machines and mechanisms. Significant works have been done in raising of the level of cadre potential, implementation of advanced experiences in management of various emergencies, applying the most recent achievements of IT.

Through applying the national development strategy our country has already become one of the main venues for international events and exhibitions not only in economic, humanitarian, cultural and sports, but also in security spheres. The Ministry of Defense Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan, achieving great progress within a short period of time, successfully increases its capacity and broadens its productive potential year by year. A wide range of new generation defense products and other military goods, produced at the enterprises of the Ministry of Defense Industry, are successfully exported along with supplying the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan.

I should also note that gathering in Azerbaijan the leading manufactures of security, safety and rescue equipment, as well as companies, businesses and industrial units in this sphere, is a great honor and the huge interest shown in the exhibition is an obvious sign that our country, which is one of a few members of the “space club” and known as the island of stability and security, has become an important strategic partner in the regional and international markets. The exhibition that is quite important event for Azerbaijan to demonstrate its non-oil sector potential and achievements creates an excellent opportunity for mutual information exchange among the participants, visitors, as well as the companies and establishing a new foundation of future successes.

I believe that the exhibition “Secures Caspian 2022” will significantly contribute to establishing new useful cooperative relations.

New threats and challenges faced by the countries in the modern world necessitate strengthening existing capabilities for the security, defense and protection of each state, development of military-technical cooperation, establishment and enhancement of the national defense industry potential.

As a result of the successful continuation by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces İlham Aliyev, the national security strategy founded by the national leader Heydar Aliyev, as well as the purposeful and thoughtful policy of deep reforms carried out over many years, created security and defense opportunities in compliance with modern standards.

As a result of the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, which became a golden page in the statehood history of our country, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan under the command of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. İlham Aliyev, liberated territories that had been under Armenian occupation for 30 years.

It is a source of deep pride that all the tasks set by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief before State Border Service during the Patriotic War were fulfilled at high level, and now Azerbaijani border guards are honorably defending national interests at the borders in the liberated territories.

The successful application of the products of the defense industry of our country on the battlefield during the Patriotic War was the result of real reforms and purposeful work carried out in this area for many years.

I am confident that this event, which has become a tradition for our country, will make a positive contribution to the military-technical cooperation of the participating countries, will serve as a favorable platform to identify new opportunities and approaches for manufacturers specializing in security and defense.

I wish all participants useful and productive discussions.

This exhibition is an important platform from point of view of demonstrating modern technical means, weapons and special equipment, presenting specific products, as well as establishing business contacts.

As a result of purposeful domestic and foreign policy pursued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, our country has taken a worthy place among the states of the world, the reforms successfully carried out in the political, economic and social spheres have borne fruit, and great progress has been achieved.

The preservation and further enhancement of the successes achieved in all areas poses important tasks for the intelligence agencies, along with other structures of the country. The State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan builds its activities in this direction in accordance with the requirements of the time.

Efforts are increasing to fulfill the tasks arising from the concept of national security, which provides for the further development of the republic`s security system, as a result of interaction with other law enforcement agencies, the fight against threats directed against the interests of the people, the constitutional order, territorial integrity, political and economic independence of the state is intensifying every day, including terrorism and various types of transnational organized crime.

In the State Security Service, which has made an important contribution to ensuring international security, perceived by foreign special services as a reliable partner, the role of using new equipment and technologies is irreplaceable. In this context, we consider it worthy of approval to hold such exhibitions demonstrating the latest achievements in science and technology.

I hope that the institutions and organizations represented, as well as the participants, having received the necessary knowledge at the exhibition, will be able to effectively use this in further activities for their application and exchange of experience.

Once again I congratulate the organizers and participants of the 13th International Exhibition for Internal Security, Safety and Rescue Equipment “Securex Caspian-2022” and wish them success in their work.