Ilham Aliyev sent an address to the participants of the founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent an address to the participants of the founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform, which began its work in Baku.

As reported by BAKU.WS, the message states:

"Dear conference participants!

Today marks an important milestone for the Global South. Representatives of more than 100 reputable non-governmental organizations and civil society have gathered together to create the first-ever Global South NGO Platform.

We are pleased that during the "South-South" international conference held in November last year on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, dedicated to cooperation between non-governmental organizations of the Non-Aligned Movement member states, the initiative put forward by the National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan to create the Global South NGO Platform received impressive support. More than 1000 NGO representatives and activists from approximately 140 countries gathered together to sign the corresponding joint declaration.

The transformation of the COP29 NGO Coalition, which brought together about 500 NGOs from more than 100 countries under one roof, into an initiative group with the aim of formally establishing the Global South NGO Platform demonstrates the need to take joint coordinated actions.

Known for its multi-vector foreign policy, Azerbaijan was the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, which unites 120 countries of the world, from 2019-2023. Throughout the chairmanship period, we resolutely defended the interests of developing countries and promoted key global initiatives. We provided humanitarian and financial assistance to more than 80 member states with various economic situations, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also took a number of important steps to institutionalize the Non-Aligned Movement.

Having become a strong voice of the Global South, Azerbaijan views the launch of this platform in Baku as a sign of recognition of its activities as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and COP29. I believe that the Global South NGO Platform will make a significant contribution to strengthening the voices of our peoples, conveying their position to the international community, as well as protecting and ensuring their rights.

The result of Azerbaijan's efforts to build active dialogue between the Global South and the Global North through supporting an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding, as well as through our country's consistent and balanced actions to ensure a difficult-to-achieve consensus, was the "Baku Breakthrough" achieved at COP29. COP29, organized by Azerbaijan, marked a historic success, and our country is rightfully proud of the legacy of COP29, which was attended by about 80 thousand participants from 197 countries.

Through its active diplomacy, Azerbaijan continues to work resolutely to bridge the gap between the positions of the Global North and the Global South, promoting more inclusive and effective dialogue. However, the distrust that has persisted between the parties for many years remains the main obstacle to achieving lasting success. We have taken on the role of a connecting link between the Global South and the Global North to help eliminate this imbalance, and we intend to make a new contribution to building trust.

As a country that has successfully gone through economic and political transformations and fully restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty by its own efforts in the face of military aggression, Azerbaijan deeply understands the problems faced by the least developed countries, developing countries, and the Global South as a whole, and remains fully committed to promoting cooperation, solidarity, and lasting success.

Azerbaijan's policy has always been based on mutual respect and principles of joint development. Unfortunately, many of the main problems faced by the countries of the Global South are the result of the ongoing neocolonial policies pursued by some Western countries. We strongly reject all forms and manifestations of colonialism and consider such practices, which lead to enormous tragedies, enslavement, and suffering of peoples, absolutely unacceptable.

Azerbaijan adheres to the principle of non-interference in the internal