Assigned to be an LO (Liaison Officer) for Azerbaijan
Delegation in UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture hosted by
Cambodian Government, specifically by Ministry of Toursim, I was quite blank
since never had I known this country before, leading me to a mixture of a
little disappointment and excitement. Shortly after this, I googled Azerbaijan up
and found out some basic information but got no time to search for details
because I was jammed with deadlines at my workplace and freelance work at that
time, and most of the sites I searched were in Azerbaijan or Turkish itself, I’m
not sure, which I couldn’t understand even a word.
Prior to the event, there were a few trainings for LOs to help us be ready for the hospitality for delegations’ stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It
was so serious that got me nervous for just thinking of the stuff I was
supposed to take lead. Arranging motorcade and VIP car together with SO
(Security Officer) to mobilize delegates from Siem Reap International Airport
to the hotel and vice versa, facilitating the delegates to pay a courtesy call to
Prime Minister of Cambodia, assisting them during the gala dinner with the King
of Cambodia, and many more were alien to me. But this wasn’t nerve-wrecking as the
thought of working directly for the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of
Azerbaijan for five days. My heart beat
so fast when thinking of this. It was seriously worrisome since I was so afraid of having flaws, which could
easily displease the delegates. All I could do was prepare and prepare.
On the 2nd of Febuary, it came to welcoming my
delegates at the airport. They looked so cold that I wasn’t even able to do
self-introduction properly because of nervousness. There were two of them, one
was Mr. Nazim Samadov, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, and the other
was Ramil Abbakirov, his assistant. My first impression was they were tough that needed
me to remain professional and distanced as much as possible. I with
people from Ministry of Tourism managed to get everything done for the check-in
at the airport and the hotel but with some difficulties at the immigration
office. First mission was turned down, and many more were coming tensely. The
second day came, and it’s day I realized that they are really nice, easy-going
and so down-to-earth after accompanying them to shopping at Old Market, pre-conference
tour at Tonle Sap Lake and dinner at Pub Street. I was allowed to sit with them
and had a talk on different topics. Since then, the barrier between us was
demolished, and I started to feel close to them without being nervous anymore. Because
of this, I was even more motivated to give all I had as an LO of Azerbaijan
Delegation.
The third day which was the 4th of February was the
toughest day. I was told by my team leader to be super serious regarding the
courtesy call on Prime Minister of Cambodia by heads of delegations at Le
Meredian Angkor Hotel. Again, this mission was successfully done with the
chance to see my Prime Minister in real life for the very first time. In the
evening, there came the biggest challenge of the conference, which was “Gala
Dinner” with the King of Cambodia at the Elephant Terrace, 15-mins drive from
the hotel my delegates stayed. Since every delegate was expected to join the
motorcade with others to the venue at the same time, all LOs and responsible parties like VIP car
drivers, SOs, protocol people and Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia were closely
working together to make sure that all heads of delegations would be driven to
the venue on time and safely. If not, LOs were the only person to receive all
the blames. One of the matters that could possibly turn the process into a
disaster was delegates’ lateness. Blessed enough, my delegates are the most
punctual of all. While other LOs kept complaining about their delegates being
late, I felt really sorry for mine for having to wait for others all the time during
the conference since they were always on time. Finally, my delegates were brought
to the venue and led to their seats together with the King and other delegates
from all around the world to enjoy the dinner and Cambodian cultural
performances, and it was another first time that I saw the King in real life.
Courtesy call and gala dinner had already passed, and the thought
of indulging myself with a simple rest just came to me, but it didn't go as
wished. Another big assignment was just thrown at me. It was a number of
bilateral meetings with ministers from different countries that my delegates
proposed. Never had I thought of being responsible for this task. Honestly, it
sounded like the wall I couldn't climb because I’m not a kind who is up to
challenge, but for that time, I needed to be even if I didn't want to. Arranging
the bilateral meeting between minister and minister? Isn't it something that only
protocol or international-affair officers can do? Thankfully, with the fullest
support and cooperation from the secretariat and my fellow LOs responsible for ministers
my delegates proposed to meet, several bilateral meetings with the Secretary
General of UNWTO and the heads of delegations from Mexico, Republic of Korea,
Seychelles and India, and small meetings with Minster of Culture and Minster of
Tourism of Cambodia were smoothly arranged. OMG!!! The impossible things just
happened to me.
With just a blink of an eye, the last day already came, so I
was determined to get my delegates enjoy every single bit of the visit in Siem
Reap Angkor. According to the plan, they were supposed to join the post-conference
tour with other delegates, but because of the miscommunication with the travel
agency responsible for arranging the tour and the lateness of other delegates’,
we together with Lithuanian delegates decided to go for the tour on our own
because I so hated to keep them wait any longer. Like planned, the whole day of
temple tour was well spent. I was so humbly happy to be able to bring them to
Bonteay Srey, Ta Prum, Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple, the Elephant Ride at Angkor
Thom gate and finally another shopping for the spirit in the city center. It’s
something that I couldn't be proud more when seeing the delegates interested in
our temples.
The whole day of temple tour had gone; it was time they
needed to leave Cambodia for Azerbaijan. Their flight was at 00:10 am, and I needed to stick with them until they were on board. Ironically, I told
myself my mission was accomplished, but no. A big problem happened that almost
got me burst out crying. Their flight was scheduled to transit in Beijing for
24 hours, so they would need the luggage for the personal use, but the airline
company just sent them directly to Azerbaijan even with many notices from me
and Ramil, telling they would transit in Beijing for 24 hours. To me, it was the
darkest moment ever for being an LO. How could the worst thing happen at the
last moment? However, with a very intense negotiation with the airline company,
everything was settled, making me feel like being born again. I was assigned to
send them off till boarding, initially, but was told by a person from Ministry
of Tourism to leave the airport shortly after we were done sorting out the
problem. No choice, I had to say good bye to them, leaving me traumatized by
separation anxiety.
It was one of the greatest experiences I ever had. With the
honor to work closely with very down-to-earth Deputy Minister of Culture and
Tourism and his assistant from a far country I never knew. I got chance to
learn new things and experience doing tasks I thought I was so limited to. I
couldn’t be grateful enough for my team leaders from Council of Ministers for the
great leadership, the organizing committee for the very well-organized
conference, SOs, drivers and my fellow LOs for their undying support and cooperation, and most
importantly, my Azerbaijan delegates for accepting me as their LO and teaching
me how worthy my volunteer work is. Mission accomplished!!!
