On May 14, 2026, the First General Assembly of the Global South NGO Platform was held in Baku as part of the Baku Urban Week. The large-scale international event brought together representatives of civil society, international organizations, academic and expert communities from more than 110 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific region.
Representatives of Turkmenistan took part in the General Assembly, including Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) Project Office in Turkmenistan, Orazgul Isgenderova, Assistant of the Project Office, Berkeli Atayev, Director of the public organization “Tebigy Kuwwat”, and Mubarak Gurbanova, Director of the NGO “Taze Zaman”.
The event served as an important international platform for discussing key issues related to sustainable development, the climate agenda, inclusive urbanization, social equality, and the expansion of cooperation among countries of the Global South.
“Countries of the Global South are playing an increasingly significant role in global politics and international processes today”, noted Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, while opening the General Assembly.
Special attention in his speech was devoted to overcoming the consequences of neocolonialism and the need to strengthen international solidarity.
Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues, emphasized in his remarks that the General Assembly represents a continuation of the international cooperation and partnerships established during COP29 held in Azerbaijan. According to him, the Global South NGO Platform should become an effective mechanism for promoting practical cooperation, joint initiatives, and the exchange of experience in the field of sustainable development and climate policy.
Ramil Iskenderli, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, noted that the Global South NGO Platform is already gaining the status of an important international institution of civil society. He stressed that the platform’s activities are aimed at uniting the efforts of NGOs from different countries in developing joint approaches to addressing global challenges.
During the event, an official message from the Secretary-General of the United Nations was also read out, highly appreciating Azerbaijan’s efforts in promoting multilateral cooperation, inclusive dialogue, and international partnership.
Dima Al-Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, highlighted the special role of civil society institutions in fostering international cooperation and emphasized that non-governmental organizations are capable of creating effective mechanisms for sustainable development at both regional and global levels.
Luis Gallegos, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), focused on the importance of strengthening international dialogue and achieving consensus amid today’s global crises. He underlined the importance of joint actions to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future.
Particular attention during the General Assembly was given to issues of sustainable urban development and climate adaptation. During thematic panel sessions, participants discussed modern models of sustainable urbanization, the development of environmentally oriented infrastructure, issues of social inclusion, and improving the quality of life of the population.
Among the international experts was Professor Zhenying Li, Deputy Secretary-General of the “One Belt, One Road” Science and Technology Alliance, who emphasized the importance of scientific, technological, and educational cooperation for achieving sustainable development goals and strengthening international partnerships. Following the General Assembly, a final declaration document was adopted, and organizational mechanisms for the further activities of the Global South NGO Platform were approved.
The holding of the First General Assembly of the Global South NGO Platform is an important step toward strengthening international cooperation and expanding dialogue among developing countries. Today, it is especially important to unite efforts in the areas of sustainable development, climate resilience, and the implementation of modern environmental solutions. For Turkmenistan and the entire Central Asian region, participation in such international platforms opens additional opportunities for the exchange of experience, development of partnerships, and promotion of joint initiatives,” noted Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan, commenting on participation in the event.
Participants of the event emphasized the importance of holding such international forums for strengthening mutual trust, exchanging experience, and promoting joint initiatives in the field of sustainable development, environmental protection, and international cooperation.
Additional information:
Mergen Kepbanov, Director of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan turkmenistan@carececo.org