Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network addressed the 46th General Assembly of AIPA

On 18 September, Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network delivered a speech at the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. 

The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, as well as speakers and representatives of the parliaments of member states and countries with observer status. In their addresses, the speakers highlighted the role and place of AIPA in international parliamentary diplomacy, the importance of cooperation within the framework of the organization, and the contribution of parliamentarians to addressing global challenges.

Addressing the plenary session of the General Assembly, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova stated that with the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy, AIPA has evolved into a significant and successful platform that brings parliaments together and creates new ideas and opportunities for closer cooperation. According to Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, the organization makes an important contribution not only to cooperation among member parliaments, but also to the development of dialogue and mutual understanding between parliaments from different regions of the world.

The Speaker also drew the attention of participants to the fact that the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, established at the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan, and currently chaired by the Milli Majlis, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with AIPA in March 2023. She noted that this demonstrates the intention to develop institutional cooperation and contribute to the achievement of shared objectives.

Referring to the main theme of the General Assembly—inclusive development and sustainability—Speaker Sahiba Gafarova emphasized that this issue occupies an important place on the agenda of parliamentary discussions. She noted that parliaments, through their legislative, budgetary, and oversight functions, are among the key stakeholders in this process.