As we have reported, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova is in Serbia on a working visit in order to take part in the High-Level Commemorative Meeting to be held to mark the 65^th anniversary of the First Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement Member States. The Speaker of Parliament delivered a speech at the event as part of her visit.

The Speaker began her address by communicating the regards of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of this remarkable event. Then, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis said that, 65 years ago, the Non-Aligned Movement rallied a number of states to the common goals of protecting their independence and sovereignty and of the right to decide their own future. The system of international relations has undergone dramatic changes in the time that has elapsed since the inception of this organisation. However, the principles lying at the core of the Movement, namely, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and equality of states, non-interference in internal affairs, fairness, peaceful coexistence and honouring international obligations, are intensely significant for stability in the system of international relations and a fair world order today as well.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis remarked that the Non-Aligned Movement has become an important platform for the promotion of common interests and aspirations of the Member States and for the collective contribution to resolving global challenges over the 65 years past.

It was noted that the basic principles of the Non-Aligned Movement are wholly in accord with Azerbaijan’s fundamental foreign political vectors and served as a guidance during the Azerbaijani chairmanship of the Movement in 2019–2024.

The Speaker of Parliament recalled that President Ilham Aliyev had reiterated, as he addressed the XVIII Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku in 2019, Azerbaijan’s commitment to the Bandung Principles, international law and justice, as well as her resolve to strengthen the Movement’s unity, solidarity and international authority.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova proceeded to emphasise the special attention paid during the Azerbaijani chairmanship to strengthening solidarity and co-operation amongst the Movement’s Member States, also mentioning the proposed initiative to hold high-level meetings between the Non-Aligned Movement and the UN, and the contribution to the generation of a co-ordinated international response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. Azerbaijan’s financial and humanitarian aid extended to more than 80 countries was mentioned, too; those were supplied with technical support and educational grants. Also, the Speaker declared that particular focus was on the institutional development of the Movement and on the expansion of its engagement across generations and institutions.

The Speaker high-lit the establishment in 2022 of the Youth Organisation of the Non-Aligned Movement, headquartered in Baku. It was remarked that the expansion of the Organisation’s operation enables youth to play a more active role in the promotion of the values and goals of the Movement.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis also addressed the activities of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network. Established in 2021, the Parliamentary Network has developed its operation considerably in the time that has elapsed since; there have been five conferences, important institutional decisions have been made and the Network has been headquartered in Baku.

The Speaker said that the Network unites the Parliaments of 71 Member States of the Non-Aligned Movement. That reflects our Parliaments’ resolve to contribute to the implementation of the Bandung Principles and to promoting dialogue, peace, justice and sustainable development via parliamentary diplomacy.

Concluding her address, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis stated that the principal goals that the Non-Aligned Movement has before it are preservation of its unity and the solidarity of its ranks, raising its voice internationally further and enhancing its contribution to the achievement of a fairer and equal world order.

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Following the event, the Heads of Delegation took part in a tree-planting campaign in the Park of Friendship of Belgrade.

The Press and Public Relations Department 

The Milli Majlis