The 5^th Conference of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement has been held in the city of Istanbul of Türkiye.

The Conference, which went with the participation of almost 130 delegates in the delegations of approximately 50 countries and international organisations, was dedicated to to the topic of ‘The Role of Parliaments in Ensuring Climate-Resilient Urbanisation in the Non-Aligned Movement Region’.

Opening the event with the introductory address, Speaker of the Milli Majlis and Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement Sahiba Gafarova greeted the Conference participants and mentioned the fact that this year brings on the 65^th anniversary of the inception of the Non-Aligned Movement at its First Summit Conference in Belgrade in 1961. She said that the goals of that first conference, those of ensuring a more efficient contribution to peace and security in the world as well as of promotion of peace and co-operation between nations, remain as relevant today despite the fact that 65 years have passed already. Sahiba Gafarova observed that grave challenges such as geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, economic inequality, climate change and other complex global problems require joint action to combat them. As political discussions are mainly focused on resolving these issues today, the founding principles and goals of the Non-Aligned Movement provide an indispensable direction for moving forward.

Having voiced contentment with the intense interest in the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement manifested by the parliamentary delegations and partner organisations currently, Speaker of the Milli Majlis stressed that the active engagement of representatives of the Member Parliaments in the Network’s work demonstrates not only the resolve of the Parliaments to complement the endeavours of their Governments but also their enhanced role in achieving the goals of the Movement. According to her, the dialogue and the combined efforts afoot within the Parliamentary Network are proof of the assumed responsibility to attain peace, stability, development and prosperity. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova remarked on the relevant outstanding significance of a yet further development and reinforcement of the institutional mechanisms and organisational structure of the Parliamentary Network, and expressed a belief in that this Conference’s discussions and decisions to be made at it will be conducive to actualising its complete potential.

As was remarked in the speech, the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement has continued to expand its scope of activity and enhance its role on the international stage since the last conference in Toshkent in April 2025. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova mentioned that she has always considered it a priority to promote the role and activities of the Organisation and has particularly emphasised the important role of the Parliamentary Network during her foreign visits, meetings and speeches at international conferences as Chairwoman of the Network. It was said that approximately 35 meetings have been held with parliamentary leaders and government officials of member states, as well as with representatives of international organisations in the period from April 2025 to the present. Those meetings have concentrated attention towards increasing the platform’s effectiveness and strengthening mutually advantageous co-operation further.

 Whilst emphasising the relevance of the topicality of the Parliamentary Network Conference, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis let it be known that approximately 3 billion people live in unsatisfactory housing conditions as well as that more than 1.1 billion of them reside in informal settlements and over 300 million people face the problem of homelessness. As she put it, the global housing crisis’ gravity is escalating, which affects negatively all the regions but especially the developing countries whilst weakening the efforts made to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

In her address, Sahiba Gafarova also told the gathering of the 13^th Session of the World Urban Forum. It was said that the Session, which will take place in Baku in May this year, will be themed ‘Housing for all: safe and sustainable cities and settlements’. As the Speaker pointed out, this Forum is a high-level international platform founded to address problems related to rapid urbanisation and to assess its impact on cities, national economies and climate change. She stressed that, following the successful hosting of COP29, the hosting also of this global event is another manifestation of the confidence in the ability of Azerbaijan to unite joint efforts in the face of common challenges. Having recalled that 2026 had been declared the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture in Azerbaijan, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis mentioned Azerbaijan’s rich urban planning experience. Sahiba Gafarova went further to say that, led by President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan is now implementing large-scale urban-planning and restoration projects in the formerly occupied and sacked Garabagh and East Zangazur. New settlements and transport, energy and economic infrastructure alike are being built in these territories following advanced urban planning principles and with application of such innovative concepts as ‘green energy zone’, ‘smart town’ and ‘zero waste’. Three national Urban Forums, organised in partnership with the UN Human Settlements Programme, have played an important role as platforms for exchanging experience and new initiatives, contributing to the strengthening of co-operation in this area.

As was further noted, the 13^th Session of the World Urban Forum will provide an interim assessment of the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. This event will review the past decade and identify priorities up to 2036. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova urged all Members to participate in the Forum’s agenda actively and to consider its outcomes carefully when addressing problems related to rapid urbanisation. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis stressed that the parliamentarians can make a significant contribution to the development of effective solutions and support for measures implemented by national governments by applying a comprehensive approach and drawing on existing best practices. To this end, she called for joint action to ensure that the cities of the future are inclusive, sustainable and, most importantly, provide every citizen with decent living conditions.

 In conclusion of her address, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova reiterated that she was confident:  the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement would continue playing a crucial role in the furtherance of inter-parliamentary co-operation, promotion of common values and strengthening of dialogue and mutual understanding.

Then, addresses were delivered at the Conference by Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Numan Kurtulmuş, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Tulia Akson, Secretary General of the Union Martin Chungong, Chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairman of the National People’s Assembly of Algeria Ibrahim Boughali, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Arab Republic of Egypt Hanafi Gebali, Speaker of the National Assembly of Malawi Sameer Suleman, Speaker of the People’s Majlis of the Maldives Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Speaker of the House of Councillors of Morocco Mohamed Ould Errachid, Speaker of the National Assembly of Nepal Narayan Prasad Dahal, President of the Arab Parliament Mohamed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace Ahmed Aljarwan, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States Ramil Hasan, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chem Widhya, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of Libya and Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement Fouzi Salim, First Deputy Chairman of the Shura Council of Bahrain Jamal Mohammed Abdulrahman Fakhro, Chairman of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Sergei Aleinik, Vice President of the National Assembly of Laos Sounthon Xayachak, Member of the National Assembly of Gambia Kebba Lang Fofana and by others. The speakers lauded the work done under the chairmanship of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan on the institutional development of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement, established on the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and the increase in the organisation’s international prestige.

 Besides, the speakers shared opinions about the relevance of the topic of ‘The Role of Parliaments in Ensuring Climate-Resilient Urbanisation in the Non-Aligned Movement Region’ to which the Conference is dedicated and voiced their suggestions. The Istanbul Declaration was adopted at the closure of the Conference.

Also, decisions were made at the event to establish the HQ of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku and to grant the Arab Parliament the observer status in the Parliamentary Network.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis