Nizami Ganjavi Centre hosts high-level talks on multilateralism amid UN General Assembly PHOTO / UPDATED

On September 24 in New York, within the framework of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, a side event titled “Multilateralism on a Crossroads: Challenges and Pathways to Peace” was held, organised by the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre. A group photo of the participants was taken before the official opening.

The event opened with remarks by the Centre’s co-chair, Vera Vik-Freiberga, who emphasised that the UN General Assembly is convening at a time when numerous conflicts are unfolding across the globe, as per the domestic press.

She noted that multilateralism is indeed at a crossroads, pointing out that the organisation has recently faced harsh criticism, particularly regarding the situations in Ukraine and Gaza.

Following her, Albanian President Bajram Begaj addressed the gathering. He underlined that multilateralism enables both large and small, rich and poor nations to sit at the same table, providing a framework for effective responses to global challenges such as peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, climate change, and ceasefires. He also expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for the agreement it reached with Armenia in the United States.

In his remarks, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev stressed that the climate summit hosted by Azerbaijan last year proved that multilateralism can achieve real and historic outcomes. He recalled that agreements were concluded at COP29 on issues that negotiators had debated for nearly a decade.

The discussions continued with contributions from Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States Binali Yıldırım, and other participants. They addressed the challenges confronting multilateralism, the need for UN reforms, measures to secure peace and stability worldwide, opportunities for joint action, and strategies to combat the climate crisis.

The debate also highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between Europe and Asia, the role of regional countries in fostering cooperation, and the positive impact of such projects on the well-being of people.

18:52 (September 24)

On the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, a high-level side event titled “Multilateralism at a Crossroads: Challenges and Pathways to Peace” convened in New York, organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre.

The gathering commenced with a group photograph of participants, followed by opening remarks delivered by the Centre’s co-chair, former Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The forum brings together current and former heads of state, senior policymakers, and global thought leaders from across the world. Throughout the event, participants will engage in panel discussions focused on the future of multilateral cooperation, addressing persistent global inequality, responding to the climate crisis, and navigating complex geopolitical tensions.

The conference aims to foster dialogue on reimagining global governance and strengthening international collaboration in an era marked by fragmentation and uncertainty.

 By Vafa Guliyeva