Founding conference of Global South NGO Platform kicks off in Baku PHOTO

The founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform has officially begun in Baku, bringing together influential leaders from NGOs and civil society representatives from 116 countries, covering approximately 80% of the world's population.

The event, considered a major milestone for civil society in the Global South, spans regions including Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania, representing two-thirds of the world’s nations, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The initiative to establish the platform was launched in November 2024 by the National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan within the framework of COP29. This proposal quickly gained international traction, prompting the COP29 NGO Coalition to approach Azerbaijan’s National NGO Forum with a suggestion to officially create the platform. This marks the first time an Azerbaijani NGO initiative has garnered such broad global support.

Azerbaijan’s active role during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, alongside its significant initiatives advocating for a new and fair world order and the so-called "Baku breakthrough" at COP29, has earned the country immense respect across the Global South. This event is regarded as a fresh chapter for Azerbaijan’s civil society.

The creation of the Global South NGO Platform in Baku further solidifies Azerbaijan’s position as a key mediator and bridge between the Global North and Global South.

The platform aims to represent the pressing issues of these strategic regions on the global stage, articulate a unified position in international organizations such as the UN, and coordinate global efforts. It is committed to addressing critical challenges such as poverty, climate change impacts, colonial legacies, the digital divide, trade inequality, and more. Furthermore, the platform will encourage South-South cooperation.

The two-day international conference, titled “Solidarity in Action: Strengthening Global South NGOs for a New and Fair World,” will feature prominent NGO leaders from around the globe and will host key discussions. The event will also underscore the historical significance of the "Bandung Principles," adopted 70 years ago in Indonesia, which emphasize non-interference in the internal affairs of states, justice-based world order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the promotion of mutual cooperation and economic prosperity.

By Khagan Isayev