Conference on “The role of national parliaments in promoting security and stability through green economy, connectivity and sustainable development,” Baku, 22 May 2023BAKU, 24 May 2023 – The conference on “The role of national parliaments in promoting security and stability through green economy, connectivity and sustainable development,” organized jointly by the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on 22-23 May in Baku, provided a platform for the parliamentary exchange of best practices and insightful discussions on the crucial role of green concepts, technologies, trade and international co-operation in achieving sustainable development and fostering economic growth.
Opening the conference the Speaker of Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prof. Dr. Sahiba Gafarova, underscored the vital role of dialogue and the exchange of perspectives in fostering innovative ideas for a brighter future. She also shed light on Azerbaijan’s efforts to increase the share of energy from renewable sources within the country.
OSCE PA President Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden) focused her welcoming remarks on the dramatic implications of the Russian Federation’s ongoing war in Ukraine for the economic and environmental security across the OSCE region, highlighting the need to find comprehensive and joint solutions to multiple interconnected security challenges.
“I am particularly proud that the OSCE PA Second Committee is taking a proactive approach to promoting security and stability in the OSCE area through sustainable economic recovery, green transition, and sound environmental policies, leaving a positive legacy for future generations,” Cederfelt stated.
Chair of the OSCE PA’s economic and environmental committee, also known as the Second Committee, and Head of Azerbaijan’s Delegation to the OSCE PA, Azay Guliyev emphasized that every crisis also offers opportunity. “It is therefore up to parliamentarians to identify these new possibilities and leverage them to build a better future for our citizens,” said Guliyev, who moderated the opening session.
Further discussions, moderated by Second Committee Rapporteur Gudrun Kugler and Askar Shakirov, Vice-President and Special Representative on Sustainable Developments Goals, also addressed the need of strengthening the resilience of supply chains through international transport and trade facilitation for sustainable development, as well as the role of digitalization in economic recovery. Keynote speakers shared their national perspectives in promoting the green economy and ideas regarding the role of Parliaments in facilitating sustainable connectivity.
Margareta Cederfelt and Roberto Montella meet with Ilham Aliyev on 23 May 2023. (Photo courtesy of the official website of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan)On the sidelines of the conference, President Cederfelt and Secretary General Roberto Montella met with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. During both meetings, the interlocutors briefed the Delegation on the recent developments in the region and explored the role of the OSCE PA in supporting peace efforts aimed at bringing stability and security to the South Caucasus region. Cederfelt and Montella further commended the active work and contribution of the Delegation of Azerbaijan to the OSCE PA.
Secretary General Montella, who delivered remarks at the opening and closing of the conference, thanked the hosts and highlighted that economic and environmental challenges facing the OSCE region can only be addressed through collective effort.
The conference concluded on 23 May, following a field visit, during which the 100 participants from 27 countries and four international organizations had the opportunity to learn about the best practices in implementing green concepts and technologies for building a sustainable future. They were able to get acquainted with relevant projects focused on constructing “smart villages” and green energy infrastructure in the village of Aghali in the Zangilan region.
Today, President Cederfelt is meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, as well as with the Delegation of Azerbaijan to the OSCE PA to discuss the current challenges faced by the Organization.
