BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 26. Sahiba Gafarova,
Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, delivered a speech at the
Annual Conference of the Boao Forum for Asia during her official
visit to the People’s Republic of China, the parliamentary press
service told Trend.
Speaker Gafarova emphasized the growing importance of dialogue
and cooperation amid rising geopolitical tensions, deepening
inequalities, and global challenges. She noted that the Boao Forum
serves as a crucial platform for collective thinking and
coordinated action, bringing together leaders and experts to
propose practical solutions, promote sustainable development, and
strengthen international cooperation over more than 25 years.
Highlighting China’s increasing role in the international arena,
Gafarova stated that China plays a significant and constructive
role in today’s international relations. Its remarkable
achievements in economic, social, and technological development,
along with efforts to share these successes, reflect a
forward-looking approach to a shared future for humanity. She
expressed confidence that the successful implementation of the 15th
Five-Year Plan adopted by the National People’s Congress will
further advance this vision.
Speaker Gafarova also outlined global initiatives proposed by
Chinese President Xi Jinping, including Global Development, Global
Security, Global Civilization, and Global Governance, noting that
these initiatives, supported by Azerbaijan, provide a comprehensive
framework for building a more inclusive, secure, and sustainable
world based on cooperation, mutual respect, and shared
responsibility.
Addressing Azerbaijan-China relations, Gafarova stated that
shared perspectives bring our countries closer together. As we
approach the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year,
these ties have reached a new level. She underscored that recent
high-level reciprocal visits, including those by President Ilham
Aliyev, and the signing of joint declarations on strategic and
comprehensive partnership clearly demonstrate the depth of
political dialogue, mutual trust, and expanding cooperation between
the two countries. Gafarova reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s full support
for China’s initiatives and principles.
The Speaker stressed that after recovering its territorial
integrity and sovereignty in accordance with international law,
Azerbaijan places special importance on sovereignty, territorial
integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs. She
highlighted that the national vision set by President Ilham Aliyev
is based on peace, development, multilateralism, mutual respect,
and cooperation, and this vision is consistently translated into
practical action.
Gafarova also informed participants about Azerbaijan’s global
initiatives under President Aliyev’s leadership. She noted that
during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM),
Azerbaijan actively promoted the interests of the Global South and
contributed to strengthening the movement’s institutional
foundations. She added that the NAM Parliamentary Network,
established on Aliyev’s initiative and chaired by the Azerbaijani
Parliament, provides a platform for inter-parliamentary cooperation
to achieve common goals.
Highlighting Azerbaijan’s role in hosting COP29, Gafarova stated
that the country has actively worked to bridge differences between
the Global North and South and achieve key outcomes on the global
climate agenda. She further emphasized Azerbaijan’s ongoing work to
promote intercultural dialogue, multiculturalism, and tolerance
through platforms such as the Global Baku Forum.
The Speaker also announced that Azerbaijan will host the
upcoming World Urban Forum and, in the fall of 2026, the Asia
Summit on Confidence-Building and Mutual Action in Baku, further
strengthening the country’s commitment to international
cooperation.
Gafarova noted that recent global developments have underscored
the strategic importance of energy security, transport, and
communications. She emphasized that Azerbaijan plays a key role in
ensuring energy security across a wide region, and continued
investment in green energy will further enhance this
contribution.
She highlighted Azerbaijan’s position as a major Eurasian
transport hub and its active contribution to the Belt and Road
Initiative (BRI), noting that Azerbaijan is the second-largest
investor in the initiative after China. The Speaker pointed out
that the Middle Corridor has proven to be one of the most optimal
and secure routes connecting Europe with Central Asia and China via
the Caspian Sea. She added that restoring transport and
communication links between western regions of Azerbaijan and the
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic within the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace
process will further enhance the corridor’s efficiency.
Concluding her speech, Gafarova emphasized that, as President
Ilham Aliyev has stated, these projects are designed not only to
generate economic benefits but also to promote stability,
interconnectivity, and trust among peoples. She added that the Boao
Forum demonstrates once again that partnership, dialogue, and
mutual respect can effectively address common challenges and help
build a more stable and prosperous future.
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