Within the framework of the Paris Peace Forum, the Nizami Ganjavi International Center hosted a high-level side event titled “From COP29 to COP30: Advancing the Global Climate Dialogue and Preparing for the XIII Global Baku Forum.”

The meeting, moderated by former President of Serbia Boris Tadić, brought together former heads of state and government, leaders of international organizations, parliamentarians, and experts from across the world. Building on the outcomes of COP29, the discussion focused on the preparation process for COP30, global climate financing, and the challenges of sustainable development. Among the topics addressed was the “Caspian Sea Agenda,” which covered key issues related to the legal status of the Caspian Sea, as well as energy and environmental cooperation.

In recent years, the NGIC has made notable contributions to the global climate agenda through initiatives such as the London and Baku Climate Action Weeks, as well as high-level meetings held in Beijing, Tashkent, and New York. The Paris event is considered a continuation of these ongoing efforts.

The discussions also emphasized preparations for the XIII Global Baku Forum, scheduled for March 2026, including a presentation of the upcoming Forum.

Distinguished speakers included COP29 President and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev; Presidents of COP20, COP21, COP22, COP24, and COP30; President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova; Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braze; Vice-President of the French Senate Xavier Iacovelli; French Senator Nathalie Goulet; former President of Serbia Boris Tadic; former Prime Minister of Greece George Papandreou; former President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet; and other prominent global leaders.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center, together with the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD) and the Vienna School of International Studies, organized the event “Shifting Grounds: The Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe in a New Global Order” in Vienna.

Within the framework of the event, NGIC members met with Heinz Fischer, Co-chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens and 11th President of the Republic of Austria (2004–2016), to discuss current global shifts and the evolving dynamics between Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

The high-level panel featured prominent international figures including:

• Vuk Jeremic, CIRSD President, President of the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly
• Benita Ferrero-Waldner, former Foreign Minister of Austria and European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy
• Boris Tadic, President of Serbia (2004–2012)
• Nino Burjanadze, Acting President of Georgia and former Speaker of Parliament
• Dimitris Avramopoulos, former European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship
• Ana Birchall, former Deputy Prime Minister of Romania

During the discussions, participants shared their insights on regional cooperation, security, and the future of Europe’s neighborhood, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and shared responsibility in addressing today’s global challenges.

As part of the visit, “The Magic of the Pen – Selected Miniatures from the Khamsa of Nizami Ganjavi” was presented to Ambassador Martin Eichtinger, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and former Austrian Ambassador to Romania, Moldova, and the United Kingdom, by NGIC member Vuk Jeremic.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center strengthened its cooperation with The Economist Impact through its partnership in the 9th Sustainability Summit for Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean, held in Athens.

Distinguished NGIC members took part in the discussions, including:

• Kateryna Yushchenko, former First Lady of Ukraine;
• Csaba Korosi, President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly;
• Volkan Bozkir, 75th President of the UN General Assembly and former Minister of European Union Affairs of Turkey;
• Hakima El Haite, President of the African Pact and Member of the UN Zero Waste Initiative;
• Rosen Plevneliev, former President of Bulgaria.

During the summit, NGIC members shared their perspectives on sustainability, competitiveness, and global leadership, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation in addressing climate challenges and promoting a balanced green transition. Their interventions highlighted the need for policies that combine environmental responsibility with economic growth and social stability.

Through its engagement, NGIC reaffirmed its dedication to fostering dialogue among global leaders and experts to advance sustainable development and strengthen regional cooperation. The participation at this summit once again underscored NGIC’s active role in shaping discussions on Europe’s green and competitive future.

Baku Climate Action Week 2025 was held from 29 September to 3 October within the framework of COP29. The Nizami Ganjavi International Center was one of the main partners of Baku Climate Action Week 2025. NGIC members participated as speakers in several high-level sessions, sharing their expertise on climate change, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

Notable NGIC members included:

• Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador (2017–2018)
• Csaba Korosi, President of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly
• Raimonds Vējonis, President of Latvia (2015–2019)
• Jean Baderschneider, Board of Directors, Fortescue Ltd.; Chair of the Board, The Global Fund to End Modern Slavery; former Vice-President, ExxonMobil
• Hakima El Haite, President of the African Pact; Member of the UN Zero Waste Initiative

The participation of NGIC members highlighted the significance of the event in promoting sustainable climate solutions and strengthening international collaboration in the region.

Within the framework of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, met with members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center in New York City. The meeting highlighted the long-standing collaboration between NGIC and Professor Yunus and provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering social and economic development.

Building on this enduring partnership, the Center proudly announced the establishment of an Advisory Committee to support Professor Yunus in his work. The committee was designed to serve as a strategic platform, offering guidance, expertise, and collaborative support to further his initiatives in Bangladesh and beyond.

The newly formed Advisory Committee brings together experts, advisors, and distinguished professionals committed to strengthening the impact of Professor Yunus’s programs, enhancing international cooperation, and promoting innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. Through this initiative, NGIC reaffirmed its dedication to fostering dialogue, partnerships, and practical support for leaders driving social change worldwide.

Nizami Ganjavi International Center hosted its 34th High-Level Meeting on September 23–26, 2025, in New York City, as a major side event to the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Held under the theme “Multilateralism at a Crossroads: Challenges and Pathways to Peace”, the meeting brought together numerous current and former heads of state and government, leaders of international organizations, and distinguished experts to discuss global cooperation and the pressing challenges facing multilateralism.

The event was considered the largest among the parallel gatherings held during the UN General Assembly, bringing together high-level representatives from more than 50 countries, including over 25 current and former presidents, as well as more than 10 current and former prime ministers.

The meeting featured the participation of NGIC co-chairs Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga and Dr. Ismail Serageldin; the Presidents of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro; the Prime Ministers of Bulgaria and Andorra; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia; the Director-General of the World Health Organization; the UN Deputy Secretary-General and the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations; the Secretary-General of UNCTAD; the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs; the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union; and the Executive Directors of UNEP, UN-Habitat, UNAIDS, and UN Women. In addition, more than 30 former heads of state and government and former foreign ministers also took part.

The program included panel discussions on global inequality, climate change, global health, technological disruption, and geopolitical developments, along with sessions dedicated to pathways to peace. Preparations for the World Urban Forum (WUF2026), to be hosted in Baku, were also highlighted on the agenda.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center successfully held its 33rd High-Level Meeting in Tashkent under the theme “Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Europe – Cooperation for Common Development.” The meeting took place under the auspices of H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and in partnership with the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The event was held from 18–20 August 2025 in the cities of Tashkent and Samarkand.

This was the first time NGIC hosted a major event in Central Asia. The meeting gathered former heads of state and government, prominent leaders, representatives of international organizations, and officials from Uzbekistan, representing over 20 countries.

The forum took place against the backdrop of strengthened mutual understanding between Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, highlighting the strategic importance of the region as one of the key geopolitical links of our time, especially amid global political and economic turbulence.

During the two-day event, participants engaged in in-depth discussions across five panels:

Panel 1: Connectivity between Central Asia and the European Union: The Role of the Middle Corridor

Panel 2: Climate Challenges in Central Asia and the European Union: New Opportunities for Transregional Cooperation

Panel 3: Artificial Intelligence as a Key Driver of Future Regional Development

Panel 4: Modern Uzbekistan: Reform Outcomes and Strategic Directions for Future Growth

Panel 5: The Geopolitical Role of Central Asia in a Changing World

An excerpt from the address of H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, delivered by H.E. Abdulaziz Kamilov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Foreign Policy, during the meeting emphasized that “Azerbaijan serves as a strategic bridge linking Central Asia and Europe.” This highlighted Azerbaijan’s key role in promoting regional cooperation and shared development goals.

The meeting highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development, reinforcing NGIC’s role as a platform for dialogue between Central Asia, Azerbaijan, and Europe.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center, in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), co-organized a side event titled “Unlocking the Virtuous Circle: From Financing for Development to Financing from Development”.

The event took place within the framework of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held in Seville, Spain. It brought together high-level participants from international organizations, governments, and financial institutions to explore innovative approaches to development finance.

Discussions focused on the evolving relationship between external and domestic financing, and how development outcomes themselves can become catalysts for new financing opportunities. The session highlighted the importance of integrated strategies that align financial systems with sustainable development objectives.

The event brought together prominent global leaders, including:

• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
• H.E. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD
• H.E. María Fernanda Espinosa, Member of NGIC; President of the 73rd UN General Assembly
• H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29 
• H.E. Igor Luksic, Former Prime Minister of Montenegro
• H.E. Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th UN General Assembly
• H.E. Jan Fischer, Former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
• H.E. Yves Leterme, Former Prime Minister of Belgium

NGIC’s active participation in the conference underscores its growing role in shaping global dialogue on economic governance, inclusive development, and multilateral cooperation.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC), in collaboration with the COP29 Azerbaijan Presidency and the UN Climate High-Level Champions, co-organized a side event titled “From Baku to Belém: Global Climate Action for a Green Economy” during London Climate Action Week 2025.

The event featured the participation of UN Climate Champion H.E. Nigar Arpadarai and focused on identifying concrete and scalable pathways to accelerate global climate action. Discussions centered on unlocking private sector investment, supporting community-led initiatives, and promoting inclusive and resilient climate solutions.

Bringing together policymakers, private sector representatives, and civil society leaders, the event served as a platform to bridge regional perspectives and global ambitions ahead of COP29 in Baku and COP30 in Belém.

Speakers emphasized the urgency of coordinated international efforts, innovation-driven strategies, and the role of multilateral cooperation in delivering on the goals of the Paris Agreement and beyond.

The NGIC continues to play an active role in convening thought leaders and decision-makers to support sustainable development and inclusive dialogue across global platforms.

H.E. Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania, received a joint delegation from the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Tirana. The high-level meeting focused on dialogue, peace, and multilateral cooperation. Both sides emphasized the importance of joint action in addressing global challenges and explored opportunities for future collaboration.