Azerbaijan assumes leadership of Global South NGO Platform at inaugural conference

Azerbaijan was unanimously appointed to chair the Global South NGO Platform during the founding conference on April 28, attended by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from 116 countries.

Ramil Iskandarli, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, has been elected as the platform’s Secretary-General for a one-year term, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

During this period, the internal structure of the organisation will be refined.

The General Assembly of the Global South NGO Platform is scheduled to take place in 2026.

To recall, the Global South NGO Platform officially kicked off in Baku on April 28, uniting influential leaders from NGOs and civil society across the world, collectively representing around 80% of the world's population. The conference, a key milestone for civil society in the Global South, brings together regions spanning Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania, covering two-thirds of the globe's nations.

Launched by Azerbaijan’s National NGO Forum at COP29 in November 2024, the initiative quickly garnered international support, leading to the formation of the platform. "This marks the first time an Azerbaijani NGO initiative has garnered such broad global support."

Azerbaijan's prominent role as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and its push for a "fair world order" through initiatives like the "Baku breakthrough" at COP29 has earned it respect throughout the Global South. The creation of the platform in Baku strengthens Azerbaijan’s position as a key mediator between the Global North and South.

The platform will focus on advocating for critical global issues, including poverty, climate change, colonial legacies, and trade inequality. It also aims to foster South-South cooperation. The two-day conference, titled “Solidarity in Action: Strengthening Global South NGOs for a New and Fair World,” will feature key discussions, including a reflection on the 70-year-old “Bandung Principles,” which call for a justice-based world order, respect for sovereignty, and the promotion of economic prosperity.

By Aghakazim Guliyev