Azerbaijan holds plenary sessions as part of Summit of NAM’s Contact Group PHOTO

The plenary sessions were held as part of the Summit of the Contact Group of the Non-Aligned Movement in response to COVID-19 in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku on March 2.

Vice-President of the Republic of Cuba Salvador Antonio Valdés Mesa, Vice-President of Gabon Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda, Vice-President of Tanzania Philip Mpango, Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen Hassen emphasised the importance of the event, spoke about the importance of joining efforts to solve upcoming problems at the session chaired by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, according to Azertag.

Prime Minister of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Aymen Benabderrahmane drew attention to the importance of the Non-Aligned Movement and stated that Algeria is ready to cooperate with all countries and take steps for new business.

Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said that Serbia supports Azerbaijan's initiatives.

According to the message, the steps taken by Azerbaijan in relation to the developing island countries in Africa are commendable.

Then Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Igor Petrishenko expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the successful chairmanship in the Non-Aligned Movement.

He noted that the Non-Aligned Movement has become a great force thanks to Azerbaijan’s successful chairmanship.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Bakyt Torobaev called on all countries for peace and tranquility.

According to the message, it is necessary to ensure peace and stability throughout the world. International security must be established.

Then, Prime Minister of Mali Abdoulaye Maïga, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda Abubaker Jeje Odongo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Botswana Lemogang Kwape, Gambian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mamadou Tangara, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki , Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak, Speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Sahiba Gafarova, Bahraini Minister of Health  Jalila bint Sayed Jawad Hassan, Chadian Minister of Public Health and National Solidarity Abdelmadjid Abderahim, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Senior Adviser to the Royal Government of Cambodia Sok Siphana, Minister of Health of Tunisia Ali Mrabet, Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares delivered speeches.

According to the speeches, the economic downturn, which is today one of the main crises in the world, testifies to the need for joint actions.

For this reason, strengthening of cooperation within the Non-Aligned Movement and establishing of mutually beneficial ties are also important.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to great human losses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation and the Non-Aligned Movement laid the foundation for a long-term cooperation.

According to the message, during the chairmanship in the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan allocated $1 million to support African countries.

Gratitude was expressed to Azerbaijan for its efforts and international solidarity in the fight against COVID-19.

Azerbaijan is committed to the promotion of multilateral cooperation among countries to reduce the consequences of international economic crises.

This Summit is a symbol of the solidarity of the Non-Aligned Movement, it is important to fight inequality together.

The Non-Aligned Movement may play a very important role in the post-pandemic period.

During the chairmanship of Azerbaijan, under the leadership of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, many initiatives were put forward for the sake of the Non-Aligned Movement’s future.

Azerbaijan will transfer the chairmanship in the Non-Aligned Movement to Uganda at the end of this year.