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The opening ceremony of the 15th Plenary Session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly took place at the administrative building of the Milli Majlis. The session was held under the theme ‘The Role of Parliamentary Diplomacy in Strengthening Multilateral Co-operation in Asia’ on 19 February.
In her speech at the opening ceremony, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova welcomed the participants and thanked the representatives of all parliaments and international organisations for their attendance. She said their presence was a clear testament to their firm commitment to developing co-operation, strengthening this platform, and their firm determination to achieve these goals.
As the Speaker emphasised, exactly a year ago, the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA). Within this chairmanship, a number of priorities were set to further strengthen joint activities, including developing the APA’s institutional capacity, increasing its membership, enhancing the work of existing structures, and improving their efficiency.
The Speaker of the Milli Majlis stated that two requests had been reviewed at yesterday’s meeting of the Assembly’s Executive Council: the Advisory Council of the Sultanate of Oman’s application for full membership in the Assembly and the request from the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus for observer status in the APA.
According to Sahiba Gafarova, the Executive Council had presented relevant recommendations on these matters to the plenary session. She expressed confidence that the plenary session would respond positively to both requests, adopt the necessary decisions, and thus contribute to the expansion of the organisation.
As Chairwoman of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, Sahiba Gafarova expressed gratitude to the speakers of both parliaments, namely, Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal Al-Maawali and Natalya Kochanova, for their sincere commitment and initiatives aimed at contributing to the Assembly’s work.
The Speaker of the Milli Majlis said that the organisation had made certain progress in revising and amending its statutory documents to further optimise its institutional capacity, which was a source of satisfaction. Progress is also being made towards reaching a consensus on adopting a budget for the APA, which is of great importance for strengthening and expanding the Assembly’s capabilities.
Going further, Sahiba Gafarova emphasised that one of last year’s significant achievements was the increased activity of the APA Bureau meetings. The proposal to resume the Bureau’s work was supported, and now, in addition to each meeting of the Standing Committees, Bureau meetings are also held. This step is aimed at ensuring a swift response to the organisation’s needs.
The Speaker of the Milli Majlis expressed her gratitude to the APA Secretary-General Mohammad Reza Majidi and the Secretariat for their continuous efforts in advancing the organisation and promoting its objectives.
The Speaker noted that the theme of today’s plenary session is ‘The Role of Parliamentary Diplomacy in Strengthening Multilateral Co-operation in Asia.’ The issue of multilateral co-operation has never been more relevant than it is today, given the state of international politics and the current global situation.
The world is facing pressing challenges such as humanitarian crises, conflicts, poverty, climate change, rising discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia. Addressing these issues and overcoming these challenges raises concerns about the effectiveness of the modern international relations system. Unfortunately, the world has become more fragmented and less peaceful, and discussions about the inefficacy of multilateral mechanisms are becoming increasingly widespread.
The Speaker of the Milli Majlis took the opportunity to share Azerbaijan’s pertaining perspective with the participants of the session.
She emphasised that despite all the norms and principles of international law, as well as the resolutions and decisions of international organisations, Azerbaijan remained a victim of the inefficiency of the current system for 30 years, as its internationally recognised territories were under occupation by neighbouring Armenia. However, by liberating its lands and restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty, the country ensured the implementation of these norms, principles, and resolutions on its own.
As President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan had said repeatedly, Sahiba Gafarova stressed, ‘the modern world needs the full observance of international obligations as never before’.
Indeed, failure to honour international law standards and principles, the use of double standards and selective approaches, and interference with states’ internal affairs are the principal sources of today’s controversies and tensions. But how is this stopped?
Clearly, strengthening strengthen the multilateral system is the best manner in which this negative trend is countered and global peace, stability and prosperity are ensured. A system wherein all countries adhere to the rules, hold each other accountable through collective and lawful mechanisms, provide mutual support and reject unilateral approaches that prioritise the interests of one nation over others.
Azerbaijan has always been a staunch advocate of an effective and inclusive multilateral system based on these principles. During her four-year chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan clearly demonstrated this commitment by actively working on the institutional development of the Movement and promoting dialogue, co-operation, and solidarity among member states.
As the Speaker of the Milli Majlis pointed out, Azerbaijan’s unanimous selection by the global community as the host country for the COP29 as well as the adoption of significant decisions under Azerbaijan’s leadership, highlights the country’s ability to build bridges, unite diverse stakeholders, and bring together the Global North and the Global South in the fight against climate change, which is one of the most imminent threats to Humanity. This stands as the pinnacle of Azerbaijan’s unwavering dedication to the principles of multilateralism.
Sahiba Gafarova emphasised that the active engagement of Azerbaijan’s parliament in multilateral co-operation is a continuation of this approach. The Milli Majlis, in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, organised a Parliamentary Meeting within the COP29, contributing a legislative dimension to global climate-related efforts. The Speaker expressed her gratitude to the APA member parliaments for their strong participation in this event.
Furthermore, she highlighted that the Milli Majlis is actively involved in various parliamentary organisations and, in addition to the APA, currently chairs four other inter-parliamentary bodies: the Parliamentary Assembly of the Economic Co-operation Organisation, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation of Turkic States, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation, and the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement. Sahiba Gafarova stressed that this engagement reflects the parliament’s steadfast commitment to multilateral parliamentary diplomacy.
Sahiba Gafarova proceeded to stress the inception of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement on the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev of the Azerbaijan Republic as another substantial contribution our country had made to the evolution of multilateral co-operation.
One of the truly key aspects of the current stage of parliamentary development is that the activities of parliaments are no longer confined within national borders but extend to regional and global levels.
That reflects an understanding that, as members of parliaments and representatives of our peoples, we must play a vital role in addressing issues that concern us all. Platforms for inter-parliamentary co-operation serve as a clear demonstration of our determination and commitment to working together for a better world. In this context, inter-parliamentary organisations are a living embodiment of constructive dialogue, co-operation, and solidarity.
In this regard, notably, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly plays a significant role as a multilateral institution dedicated to these objectives. The Asian region is assuming an increasingly prominent position in addressing global challenges. The APA ensures that our voices are heard and provides a parliamentary contribution to our countries' efforts in achieving shared goals, and does so by bringing us together under its banner.
Concluding her speech, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis expressed confidence in the full realisation of the APA’s potential and the maximisation of its effectiveness through joint efforts. She emphasised that today’s plenary session stands as clear evidence of our shared commitment and wished success to the session’s proceedings.
