Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, met with Ms. Nosiwive Mapisa-Nqakula, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa

Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, met with the Ms. Nosiwive Mapisa-Nqakula, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, on October 7, within the framework of the participation in the 8th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit, held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Ms. Sahiba Gafarova sincerely greeted the Speaker of the National Assembly and expressed pleasure to meet her again. She recalled the meeting with Ms. Nosiwive Mapisa-Nqakula held within the framework of the Baku Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network earlier this year, and appreciated the participation of the Speaker of the National Assembly in that event. Chairperson of the Parliamentary Network noted that the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa also participated in the Inaugural Meeting of the organization held in Madrid. Ms. Sahiba Gafarova noted that the discussion of important issues in terms of institutional development of the organization were included in the agenda of the next conference, and drew attention to the importance of cooperation within this organization.

Ms Sahiba Gafarova underlined that the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network was established on the initiative of H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Speaking at the first conference of the Parliamentary Network held in Baku this year, the Head of State of Azerbaijan expressed his valuable views on the development and expansion of the organization's activities, deepening of interaction and cooperation between the parliamentarians of the NAM Member States. Ms Sahiba Gafarova expressed her belief that the Parliamentary Network will become an important platform for promoting multilateralism, dialogue and inter-parliamentary cooperation. "This Network is an institution that can contribute to coordinating the joint activities of member parliaments, making the voice of our countries heard in the international world, and solving issues of mutual interest", she added.

At the meeting, Chairperson of the Network discussed the establishment of the Youth Organization of the Non-Aligned Movement on the basis of the Youth Network at the initiative of H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the high-level Special Session of the UN General Assembly in response to COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of resolutions on ensuring equal, affordable, timely and universal access to the COVID-19 vaccines and the initiative to establish the UN High-Level Panel on post COVID 19 response measures that focus on preparing recommendations for global measures for the post-COVID period.

Ms. Nosiwive Mapisa-Nqakula, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, expressed her satisfaction with the conduct of the meeting and recalled her visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the Baku conference of the Parliamentary Network earlier this year. Ms. Nosiwive Mapisa-Nqakula highlighted the excellent organization of the conference and her good impressions when she left Azerbaijan and also confirmed their participation in the conference of the organization to be held in Manama. Speaker of the National Assembly stressed that the Non-Aligned Movement was an important platform for the Republic of South Africa and noted the establishment of the Movement's Parliamentary Network as an important initiative. She also mentioned that they stand ready to provide all kinds of support to the activities of the Network.

At the meeting, opinions were exchanged on other issues of mutual interest.