BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Speaker of the
Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova delivered a speech at the meeting of
the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Trend reports, citing the
Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis.
In her address, the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament said
that conflicts persist, tensions are rising, crises are deepening
the world over and inequality continues intensifying in the current
period of growing uncertainty. She said those tendencies pose a
risk of undermining the foundations of peace and justice.
Furthermore, Sahiba Gafarova emphasised, climate change is already
a reality and requires urgent action. The Speaker of the Milli
Majlis remarked then that the subject of the Assembly is both
timely and highly relevant under these circumstances, which, she
added, calls for collective and responsible action.
Bringing up the significant role of multilateralism to the
backdrop of the existing shortfalls, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said
that the current situation necessitates respect for international
law and assumption of more significant corresponding obligations.
In her view, parliamentarians should promote peace, uphold justice
and ensure that decisions taken reflect the interests of future
generations. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis particularly mentioned
the role of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in this regard. It was
said that the Inter-Parliamentary Union plays a major role in
making our voices heard more strongly in global governance.
Demonstrating unwavering devotion to common ideals, the
Inter-Parliamentary Union brings parliamentarians together for the
achievement of the goals and aspirations that drive parliaments
forward.
Continuing her speech, Sahiba Gafarova underlined and lauded
highly the Assembly’s attention to youth, which, she remarked, is
as timely as it is urgent. Not only do young people benefit from
politics but they are also active participants in change. The task
of parliamentarians is to see to it that those voices are heard,
the potential is realised and their participation is effective. She
mentioned the outstanding significance of the United Nations
Declaration on Future Generations adopted in 2024 in this
connection. This document calls for the implementation of inclusive
and forward-looking policies that serve sustainable development,
she emphasised.
Going further, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis told the event
participants about the successes of the youth policy being
implemented in Azerbaijan. She specified the priority nature of
this area in our country and mentioned the establishment by the
Azerbaijani Parliament of a broad and targeted legislative and
institutional framework including the Law ‘On the Youth Policy’,
for one. Additionally, she mentioned the numerous state programmes
carried out in our country successfully with the aim of backing the
youth, amongst those having been the initiatives to facilitate
education abroad, promote employment and strengthen youth
participation in public administration. Initiatives such as the
‘Yüksəliş’ (Ascension) Programme have been especially effective in
motivating young people and expanding their rights and
opportunities. Azerbaijan also promotes international youth
co-operation energetically employing platforms such as the Youth
Forum and the Volunteer Forum, strengthens solidarity and strives
to contribute to solving global challenges.
With that, it was then said, Azerbaijan is contributing to the
global youth agenda via the initiatives such as the Youth
Organisation of the Non-Aligned Movement as well as such innovative
platforms as the ‘Let the Youth Speak, We Will Listen’ panel that
the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre arranged on the sidelines
of the Global Baku Forum. Milli Majlis Members are actively
involved in international co-operation under the aegis of the Forum
of Young Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and
under that of the Group of Young Parliamentarians of the
Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States.
The Speaker of the Milli Majlis expressed in her address her
confidence that empowering youth means strengthening resilience,
innovation and peace, and that this is the most essential legacy to
be left to future generations. She remarked in this respect that
the South Caucasus is entering a period of transformation. The
progress achieved in the dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia
demonstrates that even long-standing conflicts can be resolved
through political will and respect for international law. In this
same context, parliamentary diplomacy also plays an important role
in building trust.
Speaker Sahiba Gafarova reiterated in conclusion the imperative
that our efforts are to be guided by the principles of
co-operation, dialogue and multilateralism. It is only by way of
joint action that it is possible to build a more peaceful and just
world.
