The 5th Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network dedicated to the theme of “The Role of Parliaments in Ensuring Climate-Resilient Urbanization in the NAM Area” took place in Istanbul, Türkiye, on April 15, 2026, with about 200 participants from 44 delegations, including Speakers and Deputy Speakers of their respective national parliaments, as well as inter-parliamentary organizations.

 

The participants of the 5th Conference were welcomed by Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network. In her opening remarks, Ms. Sahiba Gafarova recalled that we commemorate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement at the First Summit Conference held in Belgrade in September 1961. She noted that 65 years on, the aim of that very first conference, which was to contribute more effectively to world peace and security and peaceful co-operation among peoples, has still not lost its credibility. Significant challenges, such as enduring geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, economic inequalities, climate change and other complex global issues, demand us to put aside our differences and stand together in unity to face these challenges. As today’s political discourse is heavily focused on dealing with these issues, the founding principles and objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement provide invaluable guidance on how to move forward. Ms. Sahiba Gafarova also stated that today, it is really gratifying to witness so much interest of representatives of parliaments and partner organizations in the Parliamentary Network. Active engagement of member parliamentarians in the work of the Network demonstrates not only our determination to complement the efforts of our governments, but also increase our role in realization of the Movement’s goals. Our dialogue and collective efforts in the framework of the Network are testimony to our commitment to help achieve peace, stability, development and prosperity through parliamentary means.

 

In this context, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova highlighted the particular importance of further developing and strengthening institutional mechanisms and organizational structure of the Network which gains special significance. She expressed confidence that the discussions hold and the decisions to be taken today, will advance us in unlocking its full potential.

 

It was noted that since the last conference in Tashkent in April 2025, the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement has continued to expand its scope and international presence. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova recalled that as the Chair of the Network, she has consistently prioritized promoting its role and work during her foreign visits, meetings, and speeches at international conferences, underscoring the vital role played by the Network which.

 

It was stated that from April 2025 until now, Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network held about 35 meetings with heads of parliaments and government officials of the member countries, representatives of international organizations. These meetings focused on further increasing effectiveness of this platform and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.

 

Highlighting the relevance of the theme of the 5th conference, Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network stated that today, nearly 3 billion people live in inadequate housing conditions, with over 1.1 billion in informal settlements and more than 300 million experiencing homelessness. According Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, the global housing crisis continues to accelerate, affecting all regions, especially the developing countries, and also undermining efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

 

In her speech, Ms. Sahiba Gafarova also provided information about the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17 to 22, 2026, under the theme of "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities".

 

The Speaker noted that The World Urban Forum is a high-level international platform established to address the challenges of rapid urbanization and assess its impact on cities, national economies and climate change. After successfully hosting the COP29, this global event is yet another demonstration of the trust put in Azerbaijan’s ability to unite collective efforts in the face of common challenges. Having declared 2026 as the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture”, Azerbaijan has a rich experience in urban planning.

 

Ms. Sahiba Gafarova stated that today, Azerbaijan, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Ilham Aliyev, is implementing large-scale construction and reconstruction projects in the formerly occupied and totally destroyed Garabagh and East Zangazur regions. New settlements, transport, energy and economic infrastructure are being built by applying advanced urban-planning principles, including innovative concepts, such as “green energy zone”, “smart city” and “zero waste”. Three National Urban Forums, organized in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, served as a vital platform for sharing experiences and new initiatives, thus contributing to enhancing cooperation in this field. It was noted that the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will mark the midterm review of the New Urban Agenda. It will reflect on the past decade and define the priorities that will carry us to 2036.

 

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova called on all members to engage actively with the forum agenda and to carefully consider its outcomes in addressing rapid urbanization and the challenges it presents. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis emphasized that by adopting a holistic approach and drawing on existing best practices, we, as parliamentarians, can meaningfully contribute to shaping effective solutions and supporting actions undertaken by our respective governments. In this context, she called for joint action to ensure that the cities of tomorrow are inclusive, resilient, and, above all, provide a dignified home for every citizen.

 

At the end of her speech, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova once again reiterated her confidence that the NAM Parliamentary Network, through its activities, will continue to play an important role in advancing inter-parliamentary cooperation, promoting common values, strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding.

 

Subsequently, speeches were delivered at the conference by Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Mr. Numan Kurtulmuş, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Ms. Tulia Ackson, Secretary General of the IPU Mr. Martin Chungong, Speaker of the National People’s Assembly of Algeria Mr. Brahim Boughali, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mr. Hesham Badawy, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi Mr. Sameer Gaffar Suleman, Speaker of the People’s Majlis of Maldives Mr. Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Speaker of the House of Councillors of Morocco Mr. Sidi Mohamed Ould Er-Rachid, Chairperson of the National Assembly of Nepal Mr. Narayan Prasad Dahal, First Vice President of the Senate of Cambodia Mr. Borith Ouch, First Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Bahrain Mr. Abdulnabi Salman Nasser, Chairman of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Sergei Aleinik, Chairman of the Economic Affairs Commission of the Islamic Parliament of Iran Mr. Seyed Shamseddin Hosseini, Second Vice-President of the National Assembly of Venezuela Ms. Grecia Colmenares, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania Mr. Daniel Baran Sillo, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of Lao PDR Mr. Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Member of the National Assembly of Gambia Mr. Kebba Lang Fofana, Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee of the Council of Representatives of Iraq Mr. Arshad Al-Salihi, Member of the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique Ms. Maria Ivone Soares Selemane, Member of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates Mr. Ahmed Hashim Alkhoori, Member of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe Mr. Tawanda Karikoga, President of the Arab Parliament Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Alyammahi, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States Mr. Ramil Hasan, Secretary General ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Mr. Widhya Chem, Representative of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Mr. Nuri Aksu, who highly appreciated the work carried out under the chairmanship of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan towards the institutional development of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement, established at the initiative of President of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and the enhancement of the organization’s international standing.

 

The speakers also shared their views on the relevance of the conference theme, “The Role of Parliaments in Ensuring Climate-Resilient Urbanization in the NAM Area”. At the end of the conference the Istanbul Declaration was adopted.

 

Decisions were also adopted on the establishment of the Headquarters of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network in Baku and on granting observer status in the Parliamentary Network to the Arab Parliament.