The Third Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network took place in Geneva, Switzerland with more than 300 participants from 53 delegations, including Speakers and Deputy Speakers of their respective national parliaments, as well as inter-parliamentary organizations.

 

The participants of the Third 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 expressed her belief that the event will contribute dramatically to the continued evolution of the Network and the development of cooperation amongst the Member States.

 

Ms. Sahiba Gafarova stated that the number of participants of the Network has been growing steadily since its Inaugural Meeting in Madrid in November 2021. Right now, the Parliamentary Network represents more than half of the Parliaments of the Non-Aligned Movement Members States. It demonstrates not only our dedication to advance the values and principles of the Non-Aligned Movement but also our firm intention to strengthen solidarity and cooperation between parliaments.

 

Chairperson mentioned the hand-over of the Non-Aligned Movement chairmanship from the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Uganda at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement Heads of State and Government in the Ugandan capital city of Kampala in January this year. Ms. Sahiba Gafarova said that Azerbaijan’s presidency would be remembered for the commitment to strengthening the unity and promotion of multi-faceted cooperation amongst the Movement’s Member States that was demonstrated by H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Initiatives proposed by President Ilham Aliyev, regarding establishing the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network and Youth Organisation, as well as the first steps taken towards instituting the Non-Aligned Movement Women’s Platform, are significant for the Movement’s institutional growth.

 

Chairperson also noted that the Parliamentary Network had been co-ordinating its activities from the very day of inception with decisions of the executive authorities and reflecting them in its activities and final documents. Ms. Sahiba Gafarova recalled that the amendments to the Statute on Working Modalities of the Network adopted at the 2nd Parliamentary Network Conference in Manama in Bahrain in March 2023 were intended to streamline and perfect its operational modes. Further work will be done on the institutional advancement of the Network. According to the Chairperson, the emergence of the Bureau and the Permanent Committees of the Parliamentary Network will add to its institutional potential and make its workings more effective yet.

 

Ms. Sahiba Gafarova recalled the granting of observer status to four international entities during the Second Conference. Also, after the Manama Conference, the Parliamentary Network itself was made an observer with the TURKPA and the Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Co-operation. Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the International Conference of Asian Political Parties. Two days earlier, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

 

Having reminded that today’s conference was dedicated to the theme of “Revitalizing parliamentary action in combating climate change”, Chairperson Gafarova said that climate change was now one of the paramount and urgent challenges demanding attention. At the same time, it is a challenge that demands a global response and collective efforts. Ms. Sahiba Gafarova emphasised that Azerbaijan had been unanimously elected to host the COP-29. The event is due to take place in Baku in November this year. We are proud of it. This is the recognition of Azerbaijan's efforts in the fight against climate change not only on a national but also on a regional and global scale. The year 2024 is the Year of Solidarity for the Green World in our country. Azerbaijan now has a very earnest agenda of transition to green energy; considerable investments are channelled in the generation and exportation of renewable energy in our country.

 

Ms. Sahiba Gafraova pointed up the fact that the role of Azerbaijan as the COP-29 host provided an important opportunity to engage our international partners in fostering climate activities for the good of the Planet. In this sense, inclusive dialogue, constructive cooperation and joint activities constitute a key factor in obtaining progress in this area. Doubtless, it is important for the achieving of our goals that all the members of the international community should join the process. It is following the initiative of the Mr. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, that the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan together with the Inter-Parliamentary Union plans to organise a Parliamentary Conference on the side-lines of the COP-29. This meeting will allow parliamentarians to exchange their views and identify what they can offer in the fight against climate change. Therefore, the Meeting will ensure a parliamentary contribution to the climate change action.

 

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova reiterated in the conclusion of her speech that the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network will continue demonstrating firm commitment to the promotion of inter-parliamentary cooperation and dialogue between national parliaments and countries.

 

The Conference then went on with the other participants taking the floor.

 

The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Ms. Tulia Ackson, the Secretary General of the Organisation Mr. Martin Chungong, the President of the People’s National Assembly of Algeria Mr. Ibrahim Boughali, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Maldives Mr. Mohamed Aslam, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Nepal Mr. Dev Raj Ghimire, the Chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Ms. Tanzila Narbayeva, the President of the National Assembly of Gabon Mr. Jean-Francoise Ndongou, the Chairman of the Arab Parliament Mr. Adel bin Abdul Rahman Al-Asoomi, the Director  General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) Mr. Salim bin Muhammad al-Malik, the representative of the Baku Initiative Group Mr. Jean-Jacob Bicep and the parliamentarians of other countries offered their congratulations on the high organisational standards to which the event adhered. It was highly appreciated in the speeches that despite the fact that the Parliamentary Network is a young organization, which was established upon the initiative of the H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it carries out the successful activity in the direction of institutional development.

 

Then, the Third Conference continued with a discussion of the organisational matters and adopted Decisions about forming the Bureau and the Permanent Committees of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, as well as about granting the NAM PN observer status to the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

 

The event was concluded with the adoption of the Geneva Declaration summarising its outcomes.