Baku hosts NAM conference on rights and women empowerment

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan hosted the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) aiming to advancement of women's rights and women's empowerment within the NAM, as well as the importance of women's role in sustainable development, economic growth, peace, security, and other areas.

Held on 20-21 November, the conference drew heads of state and governments of different countries at Azerbaijan's capital of Baku. The conference was co-organized by Azerbaijan, the current Chair of the NAM, as well as Uganda and Uzbekistan, the next chairs of the organization.

A total of about 60 delegations took part in the event, including representatives of NAM member states as well as states with observer status at the NAM, international organisations, and high-ranking officials invited as special guests.

Barrister Miti Sanjana, a women’s rights advocate from Bangladesh attended the conference.

The NAM is the world’s largest international organization after the United Nations, currently comprising 120 members spanning all four corners of the globe. For the past years, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev held the chairperson’s position. The Non-Aligned Movement Conference on Advancing the Rights and Empowerment of Women has kicked off in Baku.

On the first day of the conference, a side event was organised by Institute of Young Democrats provided an excellent opportunity for NAM Member States, UN entities and NGOs to discuss themes of the women rights and women empowerment other critical gender equality issues.

The conference featured discussions on topics such as the development of women's rights and empowerment of women within the NAM, as well as women`s important role in sustainable development, economic growth, peace and security issues and other areas.

In her opening speech, Chairperson of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs Bahar Muradova read out President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev’s address to the event participants.

Chairperson institute of Young Democrats Ms. Hajiyeva said: I am proud to welcome such a high-level guests, participants, composed entirely of NAM members states.

The chairmanship of NAM will be built on three main priorities, among others increasing the effectiveness of the Movement to further enhance the reputation of the organisation on the global stage.