Baku Hosts First General Assembly of Global South NGO Platform

The city of Baku on May 14 hosted the first-ever General Assembly of the Global South NGO Platform (GSNP), bringing together civil society leaders and representatives from more than 110 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific as part of the ongoing Baku Urban Week.

The gathering underscored growing cooperation among developing nations and provided a platform for discussions on shared global challenges and opportunities. The event opened with a documentary showcasing the platform’s activities and achievements over the past year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, said the Global South is becoming increasingly influential in shaping international affairs. He noted that Azerbaijan sees itself as closely connected to the Global South through its history, cultural identity and geographical position.

Hajiyev also spoke against the lingering effects of colonialism and neocolonialism, describing them as major obstacles still affecting many developing nations. He recalled that Azerbaijan made the fight against neocolonial practices one of its priorities while chairing the Non-Aligned Movement from 2019 to 2022.

Azerbaijan’s Presidential Representative for Climate Issues, Mukhtar Babayev, described the assembly as a continuation of the cooperation and solidarity promoted during COP29. He said the platform aims to move beyond discussions by encouraging practical collaboration and inclusive global engagement.

A message from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres was delivered by Igor Garafulic, the UN Resident Coordinator ad interim in Azerbaijan. The message commended Azerbaijan’s role in promoting multilateral cooperation and described the GSNP as an important platform for strengthening global solidarity and partnerships.

The assembly also featured remarks from representatives of international organizations, including the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, the UN Office for South-South Cooperation and several academic institutions from countries across the Global South.

During the event, delegates approved a framework document defining the structure and operational system of the GSNP. Azerbaijani representative Fuad Karimli was elected Secretary-General of the organization, while deputy secretary-general positions for different regions went to representatives from Kenya, Uzbekistan, Ecuador and the Philippines.

Panel sessions focused on issues such as strategic cooperation, socio-economic inclusion and sustainable urban development. Participants highlighted the urgent need for inclusive city planning as urban populations continue to expand worldwide, with estimates suggesting that more than 70 percent of the global population may live in urban areas in the coming decades.

The General Assembly ended with the adoption of a final declaration reaffirming the commitment of member organizations to cooperation, resilience and inclusive development across the Global South.