Garayev was born on November 13, 1956, in Baku, Azerbaijan. He graduated from the Azerbaijan University of Languages in 1978. From 1978 until 1980, he worked as the teacher of English in a secondary school in Saatly Rayon. In 1980-1989, he held various positions within the Azerbaijan Communist Party. In 1992, he completed a course at the North-West Academy of Public Administration in Russia. In 1992 through 1993, Garayev worked as a professor at the Azerbaijani Academy of Public Administration. He also attended specialized courses on Management and Marketing in the Russian State Administration Academy in 1992. In 1993-1994, he held several managerial positions at Improtex Commerce. Mr. Garayev is also actively involved in scientific work and pedagogical activities; he is author of several books and is an Associate Professor of Azerbaijan Tourism Institute since 2006. Fluent in Azerbaijani, Russian, English, Turkish, and French.
Political career
Dr. Abulfas Garayev is the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan since 2006. Previously, he held the position of Minister of Youth, Sport and Tourism from 2001 to 2006, Minister of Youth and Sport from 1994-2001. Prior to his appointments, he was CEO of “Improtex Commerce” company, worked as a lecturer at the Academy of Political Science and State Administration from 1992 till 1993. Mr. Garayev began his career as an instructor of Organizational Department of Youth League, held several managing portfolios within the organization, from 1981-1985 served as a head of section in Youth League Steering Committee. Mr. Garayev received his PhD in philosophy and culture from the Academy of Social Sciences, Moscow-Russia and degree from University of Foreign Languages and Pedagogy, Baku, Azerbaijan in 1978. He is chair of the Organizing Committee of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue has been holding Baku since 2011 in partnership with UNESCO, UN Alliance of Civilizations, UNWTO, Council of Europe and ISESCO and co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Commission on cooperation between Azerbaijan and Cuba since 2009. During is term as minister of Culture and Tourism, he was the chair of the 6th Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers, headed OIC Tourism Ministers Conference, TURKSOY Permanent Council of Culture Ministers, UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for intangible Cultural Heritage and CIS Council on Cultural Cooperation. Dr. Garayev was appointed chair of National Organizing Committee of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations 7th Global Forum held 25–27 April 2016 in Baku. He is also President of the ISESCO General Conference for 2015–2018 years as well as chair of the National Commission for ISESCO. He is member of UNWTO Executive Council and vice-chair of the National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO. Mr. Garayev has received Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts from the Coventry University in UK in recognition of his inspirational support to the Baku Process for intercultural dialogue.
