Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova took the floor at a meeting of the 153^rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in the city of Arusha within the framework of her working visit to the United Republic of Tanzania. In the course of her speech in the general debate themed Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova indicated that organising effective governance is linked, alongside the existence of effective institutions, to whether people trust those institutions, whether they can take part in decision-making and whether everyone has a fair opportunity to contribute to society.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis remarked in her address that digitalisation makes state institutions more accessible and transparent and supports this process by creating new opportunities for communication and participation, adding that this trust grows when institutions are open, citizens’ voice is heard and people can see that their participation can matter.

Pointing to the important role of parliaments in this process, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova observed that parliaments as institutions representing the people link public expectations with state decision-making and are able, through legislation, oversight and dialogue with society, to help make governance more transparent, accountable and inclusive.

Telling those present about the consistent steps Azerbaijan is taking to improve public administration, expand digital solutions, enhance the accessibility of public services and create broader opportunities for citizens’ participation, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis mentioned the contribution of the Parliament of Azerbaijan to those efforts. She said that modern technologies in this area help expand interaction with citizens and ensure wider access to information about parliamentary activity. At the same time, Azerbaijan has created legal and institutional mechanisms enabling citizens and civil society to take part directly in the legislative process. She remarked that the right of legislative initiative is a significant example of this.

According to Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, public hearings and public discussions are another important mechanism. Representatives of state institutions as well as experts, civil society organisations and members of the public can take part in discussions on draft laws and issues of public interest. It was mentioned that the Milli Majlis had held 49 public hearings and 6 public discussions between 2021 and 2026 and that those mechanisms enable the Parliament to hear various professional and public opinions whilst strengthening communication with society.

Sahiba Gafarova also informed the assembly of the other digital tools which the Milli Majlis employs. Mention was made, amongst other things, of the work the Parliament is carrying out to ensure inclusivity. As was said in this connection, the Azerbaijani Parliament pays particular attention to the participation and rights of women, young people and persons with disabilities. The creation of the relevant legislation was mentioned as well.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis remarked in conclusion of her speech that the IPU provides an important platform for exchange of experience, learning from each other and strengthening parliaments’ role in building more open, inclusive and trusted institutions. It was observed that we can broaden our communities’ capabilities and contribute to steadier, peace-loving and stable societies by reinforcing participation and making certain that each voice is heard.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis