POLITICS
Sahiba Gafarova: Azerbaijan-China relations have risen to a new level
Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova addressed the Annual Conference of the Boao Forum for Asia as part of her working visit to the People's Republic of China. In her speech, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova first shared her views on the significance of the Boao Forum.
According to her, the forum has proven its value over more than 25 years, gaining recognition as a venue where leaders and experts gather to propose practical solutions, promote sustainable development, and strengthen international cooperation.
Drawing attention to China's growing role in the modern international arena, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis stated that China plays a vital and constructive role in today's system of international relations.
Discussing Azerbaijan-China relations, the Speaker noted that shared visions bring the two countries closer together. She stated that as we prepare to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and China next year, these relations have already risen to a new level.
Speaker Sahiba Gafarova informed participants about Azerbaijan's global initiatives. She noted that during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Azerbaijan actively promoted the interests of the Global South and contributed to strengthening the Movement's institutional foundations. The Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement, established at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev and currently chaired by the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis, provides an important platform for achieving common goals through inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Furthermore, she highlighted that as the host of COP29, Azerbaijan worked actively to bridge the gap between the Global North and South and contributed to achieving key results on the global climate agenda. The Speaker also emphasized that Azerbaijan continues to work actively on issues such as inter-civilizational dialogue and the promotion of multiculturalism and tolerance through platforms like the Global Baku Forum.
Recalling that Azerbaijan will host the World Urban Forum and that the Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) will be held in Baku in the autumn of 2026, the Speaker said these events would further solidify the country's commitment to international cooperation.
In her speech, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis also pointed out that recent global processes have once again demonstrated the strategic importance of energy security, transport, and communication. She noted that Azerbaijan has become one of the main transport hubs in Eurasia and, as one of the first supporters of the "Belt and Road" initiative, continues to contribute actively to its development. She noted that Azerbaijan is the second-largest investor in this initiative after China.
She stated that the Middle Corridor has proven to be one of the most optimal and secure routes connecting Europe with Central Asia and China via the Caspian Sea. Within the framework of the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the restoration of transport and communication links between Azerbaijan's western regions and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will further increase the efficiency of the Middle Corridor. Specifically, the Middle Corridor is proving itself as a reliable and efficient route connecting Europe and Asia.
