On April 28–29, 2025, the Founding Conference of the Global South NGO Platform was held at the Baku Convention Center, organized by the National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan as a result of the process initiated during COP29.
As part of the event, an exhibition showcasing samples of Azerbaijani craftsmanship was also organized for the guests in the foyer of the Baku Convention Center. The exhibition featured Azerbaijani carpets, traditional carvings and ornaments, pottery items, and other examples of handicrafts. In addition, a photo exhibition highlighting the victims of Armenia’s landmine terror against Azerbaijan was presented. A special stand was also installed, reflecting Azerbaijan’s initiative on global mine safety in line with the 18th Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations.
During the two-day event, the Global South NGOs held joint discussions for a new and fair world order. The difficulties and challenges were raised, and significant proposals were put forward.
The Forum's first day was marked by the official confirmation of the initiative to establish the Global South NGO Platform. It was decided that the platform’s headquarters would be located in Baku and that Ramil Iskandarli, Chairman of the National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan, would be appointed as the Secretary-General of the Platform for a one-year term.
The idea to establish the Platform emerged during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of COP29, at the initiative of Azerbaijani NGOs and the National NGO Forum of Azerbaijan. During the two-week COP29 period, over a thousand foreign non-governmental organizations emphasized the necessity of creating such a platform.
On the second day of the Forum, nearly 130 representatives from 115 countries confirmed the establishment of the Platform in a live session. On the same day, the Agency of State Support to NGOs signed a memorandum of understanding with NGOs from China and Uzbekistan, while various local Azerbaijani NGOs signed a similar memorandum with 7 foreign NGOs. It is worth noting that the event in Baku brought together influential NGO leaders and civil society representatives from 116 countries, representing nearly 80% of the world’s population.
