Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, attended the second session of the Women’s Parliamentary Forum of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

Addressing the event, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova described the PAM as a platform for dialogue, solidarity, and mutual understanding. She noted that placing special emphasis on gender equality and the empowerment of women demonstrates the Assembly’s unwavering commitment to collective action aimed at achieving common goals.

She said that the Milli Majlis has submitted an official application for observer status in the PAM, adding that support for this request would contribute to closer cooperation and more effective joint activities. The Speaker also noted that the Azerbaijani side is keen to boost relations between the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM PA), currently chaired by the Milli Majlis, and the PAM.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova emphasized that gender equality and the empowerment of women have rightly been adopted as one of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Briefing participants on the gender equality situation in Azerbaijan, she noted that women have always played a central role in family life as the fundamental unit of society and in transmitting values to future generations, within the framework of Azerbaijan’s strong familial and cultural traditions.

According to her, Azerbaijani women today are actively involved in various sectors, including politics, the economy, science and education, and healthcare, among other fields. She also highlighted the adoption of the 2026–2028 National Gender Equality Action Plan by the Azerbaijani government as a continuation of consistent steps taken in this area.

In conclusion, the Speaker underscored the active role of the Azerbaijani Parliament in advancing gender equality at the institutional level.

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