Baku hosts the first Congress with the participation of leaders of more than 15 political parties and movements for the independence of Corsica, Melanesia, Polynesia, a group of Caribbean and Antilles islands affected by French colonialism, organized by the People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe and with the support of the Baku Initiative Group, AzVision.az reports.

Addressing the participants, Foreign Minister of New Caledonia Mickael Forrest noted that the Baku Initiative Group provides opportunities to hold discussions and find solutions to problems of colonialism. "We have to appreciate this opportunity. We have a political goal that must be achieved. We must contribute to the establishment of a new world order and find our place in it. We have the right to absolute sovereignty".

Further speaking, Head of the Baku Initiative Group Abbas Abbasov announced that the BIG will provide scholarships to young people from countries fighting colonialism.

"Starting this year, our organization will provide scholarships to young people who want to study in Azerbaijan," he said.

Abbasov added that an exhibition dedicated to the history of colonialism, organized by the Baku Initiative Group, will be held at COP29 in November.

Secretary General of the People's Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe Jean-Jacob Bicep, in his turn, pointed out that Azerbaijan supports the countries suffering from French colonialism to voice their problem. "This conference demonstrates the preciousness of our cooperation. Azerbaijan allows us to voice our problems on this platform. This congress is historic and strengthens our voice internationally. We aim to hold France accountable for its crimes and bring this to the attention of the world. We will work even harder to strengthen our solidarity. We are fighting for justice and freedom".

The meeting then proceeded behind closed doors.

The idea of holding the Congress belongs to the political parties and movements fighting for the independence of the overseas territories of France.

Three organizations from the islands of Bonaire and Saint-Martin, which are colonies of the Netherlands, will take part in the Congress as guests of honor.

The congress, which will last two days, will be an opportunity for the participating parties to discuss ways to coordinate result-oriented action to overcome French colonialism by creating a common platform for a more organized struggle for independence. Representatives of the colonies will also discuss the most effective practices and strategies for the struggle for self-determination.

To note, the Baku Initiative Group was established by the participants of the conference "Towards the Total Elimination of Colonialism" on July 6, 2023, in Baku, within the framework of the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement, chaired by the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Baku Initiative Group has been supporting the struggle for the freedom of people suffering from colonialism for a year now. In this regard, BIG has already organized up to 15 international conferences. Of these, four have been organized at the UN headquarters in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, one in Istanbul, and the rest in Baku.

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