An international conference dedicated to the 16th Social Business Day 2026, titled "Social Business: The Language of Peace in a Fractured World," was held in Savar, near Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, jointly organized by the Yunus Social Business Center and Grameen Bank.
EDnews reports that numerous guests from different countries of the world attended the conference organized to mark the 50th anniversary of Grameen Bank and the 20th anniversary of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of the social business concept, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and Grameen Bank being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
IEPF President Umud Mirzayev, who participated in the aforementioned international conference, was among the keynote speakers at the panel discussion titled “The Role of New Technologies in Solving Global Challenges”. In his speech, he spoke about the social impact potential of modern technologies, especially in supporting communities affected by conflicts, and the application of innovative approaches in education, rehabilitation and sustainable development processes in mine-affected areas. He also provided information on Azerbaijan’s post-conflict rehabilitation experience, combating mine threats, the return of internally displaced persons to their homelands, and the participation of civil society in these processes.
During the visit, IEPF President Umud Mirzayev met with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Professor Muhammad Yunus. During the private meeting and joint lunch, they exchanged views on expanding cooperation between IEPF and the Yunus Center, the contribution of the social business approach to the socio-economic development of communities affected by the conflict, as well as future joint initiatives.
Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed his pleasure in recalling his first visit to Azerbaijan at the invitation and organization of IEPF, the extensive presentation of the book "Banker of the Poor" held at the IEPF head office, his meetings at ADA University and Azerbaijan State University of Economics, his visits at the invitation of the Nizami Ganjavi Center and during COP29. He particularly noted his meetings with the head of state, President Ilham Aliyev, and emphasized that the pleasant impressions he had about Azerbaijan after the first visit were memorable.
During the meeting, the parties agreed to expand the areas of cooperation between IEPF and the “Yunus Center”, develop the activities of the “Yunus Social Business” center operating at UNEC, and explore opportunities for cooperation in the social business, community development, youth participation, and humanitarian fields. Aysaba Umutlu, a member of the IEPF Board of Trustees, also attended the meeting.
It should be noted that the annual Social Business Day is one of the global platforms formed at the initiative of Professor Muhammad Yunus and brings together public figures, social business representatives, academics, innovators, youth, and civil society representatives from different countries.
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