<\/p>\n
Baku Hosts the Establishment of International NGO Platforms<\/strong><\/p>\n Azerbaijan has demonstrated that it is becoming an active participant in civil society development processes not only on a regional, but also on a global level.<\/p>\n These thoughts were shared with Herbiand.az<\/em> by Saida Musayeva, the Chairwoman of the Public Union for \u201cInnovative Progress and Support for Socio-Economic Development\u201d:<\/p>\n \u201cAs you know, on April 28\u201329, 2025, the founding conference for the establishment of the Global South NGO Platform was held in Baku. With this initiative, Azerbaijan has marked a significant milestone in the international civil society landscape. This step once again confirms our country\u2019s growing global influence and strategic position.\u201d<\/p>\n Saida Musayeva stated that the creation of the Global South NGO Platform in Baku has turned Azerbaijan into a center for civil society institutions on an international scale. She noted that in his congratulatory message to the participants of the founding conference, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s strategic position and its commitment to the Global South.<\/p>\n According to the union chairwoman, the fact that the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum initiated this project shows how mature and proactive the country\u2019s civil society institutions have become:<\/p>\n \u201cThis is also a tangible result of the strategic vision and operational philosophy of the Agency for State Support to NGOs. The Agency has evolved into a modern institution that follows global trends and responds swiftly to them.\u201d<\/p>\n On April 28, a historic moment occurred in the activity of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum \u2014 its head, Ramil Iskandarli, was elected as the interim Secretary-General of the Global South NGO Platform for one year. Saida Musayeva emphasized that the Platform will unite NGOs from developing countries, allowing their voices to be heard more strongly at the international level. This reflects Azerbaijan\u2019s approach based on global justice and equality:<\/p>\n \u201cA new model of international cooperation is beginning to take shape in Baku, aimed at solving common problems of the Global South, organizing information and experience exchange, and implementing joint projects. I believe this platform will become one of the key coordination hubs for joint efforts in humanitarian, social, and environmental fields.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the chairwoman, the steps Azerbaijan is taking in this direction once again prove that the country aspires to global leadership not only in the political and economic spheres but also in civil society development. Baku\u2019s emergence as a center for an international NGO platform is the clearest indicator of this leadership.<\/p>\n