Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network addressed the Opening Ceremony of the 11th G20 Speakers’ Summit

On 01 October, 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 opening ceremony of the 11th Summit of Speakers of Parliament of the Group of Twenty (G20), held in Cape Town, the Republic of South Africa.

Describing the Summit as a valuable platform demonstrating parliamentarians’ commitment to working together, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova noted that the theme adopted by South Africa for its G20 Presidency—“Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”—addresses the core needs of today’s world.

At the opening ceremony, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova also provided information on the activities of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, established in 2021 at the initiative of President of Azerbaijan H.E Mr. Ilham Aliyev and currently chaired by the Milli Majlis. She stated that the establishment of the Parliamentary Network is clear evidence of Azerbaijan’s strong support for and commitment to inter-parliamentary cooperation. In addition to expanding and deepening interaction among parliamentarians of NAM member states representing the Global South, the Network actively cooperates with other inter-parliamentary organizations to advance parliamentary diplomacy.

The opening ceremony of the Summit was attended by representatives of the host country’s government and parliament, as well as Speakers of Parliament from G20 member states, who also delivered addresses.