Azerbaijani speaker attends Geneva talks shaping global parliamentary agenda PHOTO

Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (Parliament) Sahiba Gafarova attended the final meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, held on July 29 in Geneva, Swiss Confederation.

The meeting, hosted at the headquarters of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), brought together high-level parliamentary leaders from across the globe, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

According to official sources, the conference has drawn participation from 120 delegations, including speakers from 102 national parliaments.

In her opening remarks, IPU President Tulia Ackson outlined the meeting’s agenda and reflected on the extensive preparations undertaken in advance of the upcoming global parliamentary summit.

Participants reviewed the outcomes of previous committee sessions and discussed the draft of the final declaration to be adopted at the World Conference. The exchange also covered key logistical and procedural matters concerning the organization of the main event.

Notably, the committee comprises speakers of parliaments elected from the IPU’s various geographical groups, ensuring balanced representation and global inclusivity in the preparatory process.

The Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, convened by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in close cooperation with the United Nations, is set to take place from 29 to 31 July 2025 at the Palais des Nations, the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Established in 2000 ahead of the United Nations Millennium Summit, the Speakers’ Conference serves as a unique high-level platform for dialogue among parliamentary leaders from across the globe. Held every five years, it has become a pivotal forum for enhancing the parliamentary dimension of global governance and for narrowing the democratic deficit in international decision-making.

This year’s conference represents the culmination of two years of intensive work by a Preparatory Committee composed of approximately 20 parliamentary speakers from all regions. Anticipated to be the largest gathering of its kind to date, the event brings together a diverse array of global voices—including heads of international organizations, distinguished academics, civil society representatives, and members of the media—reflecting the IPU’s commitment to inclusive and representative dialogue.

By Vafa Guliyeva