State Committee on Work with Diaspora (Azerbaijan)
The State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan () is a governmental agency within the Cabinet of Azerbaijan in charge of establishing and maintaining contacts with the Azerbaijani diaspora abroad and support Azerbaijanis around the world in their efforts for national unity. The ministry is headed by Fuad Muradov. History. Since the restoration of independence of Azerbaijan in 1991, supporting Azerbaijanis in other countries in defending national interests of Azerbaijan has become a priority for Azerbaijani government. In order to foster better ties with ethnic Azerbaijanis around the world, preserve  their national identity, establish a network of Azerbaijani organizations around the world to ensure national solidarity, the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev signed a decree on holding a World Azerbaijanis Congress on 23 May 2001. Therefore, the "1st World Azerbaijanis Congress" was held on 9–10 November of the same year. Four hundred representatives from over 200 diaspora organizations from 36 countries participated in the congress. Over 700 representatives and 844 guests from 130 state and public organizations of Azerbaijan, members of 25 political parties took part in the conference. On 5 July 2002, President Heydar Aliyev signed a decree on  creation of "State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad". On 19 November 2008 the Presidential Decree No. 54 superseded the committee with the new "State Committee on Work with Diaspora". Structure. The committee is headed by a Chairman and Deputy Chairman. The committee cooperates with other central and local executive and municipal bodies, diplomatic representations of Azerbaijan in other countries, and NGOs working with Azerbaijanis living abroad. The committee provides organizational, informative material (books, publications, films) and cultural assistance to Azerbaijanis living abroad and to the diaspora organisations established by them. The main functions of the committee are helping  Azerbaijanis living abroad to preserve and develop their national identity, study and increase application of their native language; providing favorable conditions for Azerbaijanis living abroad to create and develop close ties with the Azeri state bodies and NGOs in Azerbaijan; engaging ethnic Azerbaijanis in the economic, social and cultural development of Azerbaijan; help preserve national ideas and national-cultural values ensuring the worldwide solidarity of Azerbaijanis around the world; involving Azerbaijanis living abroad in economic development creating favourable conditions for Azeribaijanis to attract investment in Azerbaijan; providing assistance to Azerbaijanis living abroad to hold events of importance to Azerbaijan such  as Khojaly Massacre, Black January and Day of Azerbaijani Genocide. First department. The main responsibilities of the first department: Second department. The main responsibilities of the second department: