Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network delivered a speech at the 17th Session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States Conference

On January 30, Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, delivered a speech at the 17th Session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) Conference held in Algiers, Algeria.

 Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network greeted the session participants and thanked the Algerian Parliament for the invitation to the event, as well as their hospitality. Ms. Sahiba Gafarova said that the Islamic world was facing serious challenges awaiting its solution despite its rich history and cultural legacy as well as tremendous natural and human resources. Poverty, social and economic inequalities, armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, terrorism and extremism severely affect and constrain modernisation and development efforts.

Ms. Sahiba Gafarova underlined the importance of parliamentary diplomacy which has become an important tool of international politics in today’s circumstances. Chairperson expressed that the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States has every opportunity to evolve further as an effective solidarity, dialogue and cooperation platform.

Chairperson said the Non-Aligned Movement’s Parliamentary Network which was established on the initiative of H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and incumbent Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, agreed to build up mutually advantageous cooperation by having signed a memorandum of cooperation at the current conference. Ms. Sahiba Gafarova expressed her belief that this cooperation will serve our common goals.