The fourth Conference of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has been held in Toshkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Spirit and the role of parliaments in upholding the Bandung Principles, the conference was chaired by the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan and Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Network, Sahiba Gafarova. 

In her opening address, the Azerbaijani Parliament's Speaker expressed gratitude to President and Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Tulia Ackson and Martin Chungong, as well as to Speaker of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tanzila Narbaeva, for their solidarity and support in organising the event. 

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova remarked that the 4th Conference of the NAM Parliamentary Network coincided with the anniversary of the adoption of the Bandung Declaration, lending the gathering particular significance. She further emphasised that this month marked the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Principles, which laid the foundation for the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement. 

The years since have demonstrated that the Bandung Principles have never lost their relevance. On the contrary, current developments in international relations underscore the need to embrace these principles as a driving force in addressing the complex challenges of our time. Strict adherence to principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality, non-interference in internal affairs, and respect for justice and international obligations is crucial for fostering effective co-operation, peaceful coexistence among nations, and building a better future.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis stressed that our countries have demonstrated firm resolve in adopting these principles and remaining faithful to them by their participation in the Non-Aligned Movement.

On the other hand, our parliaments witnessed their aspiration to play an important role in carrying into life the ideals and objectives enshrined in the Bandung Principles. This approach not only demonstrates our readiness to support governments in advancing these principles but also reflects a steadfast belief in the potential of inter-parliamentary co-operation for peace, justice and sustainable development. 

In this sense, the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement embodies our shared vision. 

Recalling that Azerbaijan chaired the Non-Aligned Movement from 2019 to 2024, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said that at the 18th NAM Summit in Baku in 2019, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev emphasised that the country’s chairmanship would base its priorities and activities on the Bandung Principles, firmly uphold justice and international law and work to strengthen the Movement’s role and authority. 

A number of initiatives by President Ilham Aliyev as NAM Chair played a vital role in enhancing solidarity, mutual support, and multifaceted co-operation among member states, as well as in the Movement’s institutional development. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis then underscored the foundation of the Parliamentary Network as one of the key achievements of Azerbaijan’s NAM presidency. 

Having broached the Network’s establishment in November 2021 at a conference held during the 143rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Madrid, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova stated that three Network conferences had been held since.

These events have brought together over 1,000 participants from 70 countries and 15 international organizations. As Speaker Gafarova pointed out, each subsequent conference saw increased attendance compared to the previous one, reflecting growing interest in the Parliamentary Network. 

The Network unites more than half of the parliaments of NAM member states today.

The Speaker of Azerbaijan's Parliament also emphasised that each conference had played a significant role in the Network's institutional development. During the Baku Conference, the organisation's Charter, official logo and flag were adopted, with a chair and three deputy chairs having been elected. The Manama Conference enabled the refinement and development of the Network's working methods, while the Geneva Conference saw decisions taken to establish a Bureau and four standing committees.

Furthermore, developing institutional dialogue with other organisations has become one of the Parliamentary Network's key priorities. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis noted that the Network currently holds observer status in six organisations, whilst seven organisations have been granted the equivalent status within the Network itself. The signing of memoranda of understanding with seven organisations has also enabled a substantial expansion of the Parliamentary Network's international co-operation.

Sahiba Gafarova went on to point out that the Parliamentary Network has been actively representing member parliaments on international platforms to advance its principles and objectives. As Network Chairwoman, she has taken part in several key events and conducted over sixty bilateral meetings with parliamentary leaders from member states and international organisations, focusing on enhancing dialogue and co-operation.

The Network's Secretariat has served as a crucial co-ordination body for the member parliaments whilst actively engaging in awareness-raising initiatives.

Stressing that the Parliamentary Network has become an exceedingly important and valuable platform for developing bilateral relations between the Non-Aligned Movement Member States' legislatures, Sahiba Gafarova mentioned the establishment of 20 additional parliamentary friendship groups in Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis for the parliaments of the Movement's Member States. Those groups are designed to expand our ties with the participating Parliaments. Overall, out of 104 friendship groups operating in the Milli Majlis, 49 encompass the Parliaments of the Network Members.

In the concluding part of her address, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis spoke of the existence of significant opportunities for further development of the Non-Aligned Movement's Parliamentary Network and deepening of our co-operation. She called on the Participating Parliaments to become actively engaged in this process and continue the joint work advancing towards the shared objectives.

  The Conference then heard speeches from Inter-Parliamentary Union President Tulia Ackson, Secretary General Martin Chungong, Speaker of the Senate of Uzbekistan's Oliy Majlis Tanzila Narbaeva, Speaker of Turkey's Grand National Assembly Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of Pakistan's Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Speaker of Belarus' Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova, Speaker of Egypt's House of Representatives Hanafi Gebali, Speaker of Morocco's House of Councillors Enaam Mayara, Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives Dev Raj Ghimire, Speaker of Maldives' People's Majlis Abdulraheem Abdulla, and others. 

The speakers emphasised the relevance of the conference's theme and the importance of upholding the Bandung Principles in contemporary international relations. They highly commended the establishment and institutional development of the Parliamentary Network under Azerbaijan's presidency, as well as efforts to strengthen the organization's international role, expressing gratitude to our country for its extensive work in this direction. The speakers also put forward various proposals regarding organisational matters.

Following this, the Conference considered several organisational items on its agenda. A decision was passed to extend the mandate of the Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, for another three-year term, along with the extension of terms for the Deputies. The deliberations on this draft decision had an overwhelming majority of the Member States' Parliaments back the extension of the mandates of both the Chairwoman and her Deputies. 

The Conference also adopted the Toshkent Declaration, reflecting the unanimous position of the Network's Member Parliaments and containing several key provisions. The declaration notably emphasises the need to further develop the Parliamentary Network's institutional framework, including making its Bureau and standing committees operational, whilst continuing discussions on establishing the Network's headquarters. The document also secured support for the Baku Climate Pact and key outcomes of COP29, as well as endorsing the right to safe and dignified return - through peaceful means - for internally displaced persons in Non-Aligned Movement Member States, including the Western Azerbaijan Community.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis