A briefing was held today at the office of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum regarding the founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform to be held in Baku on April 28-29.EDnews reports that Ramil Iskanderli, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, stated that a significant event will take place in the life of the civil society of the Global South, which covers two-thirds of the countries of the world - a vast geography that includes Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania  in a few days' time, on April 28.

R. Iskanderli recalled that the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum announced the time for the establishment of the Global South NGO Platform at the international conference of NGOs of the Non-Aligned Movement region “Developing Climate Action through South-South Cooperation: The Role of NGOs” held within the framework of COP29 on November 15, 2024. This initiative has gained international support and has been welcomed by NGOs from about 140 countries, and more than 1,000 foreign NGOs have issued a joint statement supporting this initiative.

The COP29 NGO Coalition, 84 percent of whose members represent civil societies from developing countries, has also called for the implementation of this initiative. The Coalition raised the issue of institutionalizing the Global South NGO Platform at the end of last year, and the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum was asked to lead the process. “We are grateful to the Agency for State Support to NGOs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which has given us real support in making this global initiative a reality, and has responded positively to all our requests for assistance. 

Aygun Aliyeva, Executive Director of the Agency for State Support to NGOs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said that the Global South NGO Platform is another innovation that COP29 has brought to the life of our country: “This initiative was put forward during COP29. We are very proud that the initiative of Azerbaijani NGOs has gained such global support on a global scale for the first time.

Saying that this event is a new beginning in the life of Azerbaijani civil society, A. Aliyeva noted: “Azerbaijani NGOs will establish new relations with NGOs of the countries of the Global South and further deepen cooperation.”

Deputy Chairman of the Public Union “For the Social Welfare of Citizens” Nadima Rahimli noted that the formation of the Global South NGO Platform in Baku is a clear manifestation of our country’s role as a successful mediator and bridge between the Global North and the Global South.

It should be noted that the founding conference of the platform will be held on April 28-29 at the Baku Congress Center. The two-day Forum, titled “Solidarity: Strengthening Global South NGOs for a New and Just World,” will feature speeches from leading NGOs around the world, global discussions will be organized, and the importance of the historic “Bandung Principles” adopted in Indonesia 70 years ago will be emphasized. These principles reject interference in the internal affairs of states, promote the creation of a peaceful, just world order, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, ensure the equality of peoples, and call for mobilization to strengthen mutual interests and cooperation and economic prosperity.

Madina Mammadova\\EDnews