A meeting was held with Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social & Human Sciences. The discussion focused on building and strengthening the partnership with the Nizami Ganjavi International Center. The meeting was attended by Zlatko Lagumdza, Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN; Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2001-2002; Borut Pahor, President of Slovenia 2012-2022; Prime Minister of Slovenia 2008-2012; and Hedva Ser, Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy for Cultural Diplomacy, UNESCO; along with Secretary-General Rovshan Muradov.

The members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, Zlatko Lagumdza, Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN; Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2001-2002; and Borut Pahor, President of Slovenia 2012-2022; Prime Minister of Slovenia 2008-2012; along with Secretary-General Rovshan Muradov, met with Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. The meeting focused on discussions regarding the pathway to COP29, the upcoming Summit of the Future during the UNGA High-Level Week, and the 12th Global Baku Forum.

Secretary-General of NGIC, Rovshan Muradov, and Executive Administrator of NGIC, Asim Shahsuvarli, met with Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD. During their discussion, they focused on the upcoming High-Level Meeting titled "Pathway to COP29: Sustainable and Resilient Future," exploring how this event could serve as a catalyst for actionable outcomes in the lead-up to COP29. They also reviewed the ongoing and future activities of the NGIC, identifying areas where a potential partnership with UNCTAD could be mutually beneficial, particularly in advancing sustainable development goals and fostering global economic resilience.

Secretary-General of the NGIC, Rovshan Muradov, and Deputy Director General of the International Telecommunication Union, Tomas Lamanauskas held a meeting in Geneva. They discussed working together to ensure that COP29 helps boost the positive role of digital tech in fighting the climate crisis.

A significant meeting took place in London, between Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 2016-2019, and representatives from the Nizami Ganjavi International Center to discuss the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, COP29, and the activities of the NGIC. Participants included the CEO of The Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, Jean Badershneider; Secretary General of NGIC, Rovshan Muradov; and NGIC Advisor, Rza Aliyev.

During the meeting, NGIC represented its major publication, “The Magic of the Pen” Selected Miniatures from the Khamsa of Nizami Ganjavi.
 

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center, in collaboration with the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, has organized a High-Level Meeting titled “The Middle East in a Changing World: Uncertainties, Risks, and Opportunities.”
 
Taking place on May 19 and 20, this two-day event in Riyadh brought together a distinguished group of current and former leaders to address the urgent need for a sustainable new international order that preserves peace, security, and justice, while meeting the pressing challenges and threats facing humanity. The discussions focused on creating an inclusive and equitable framework for global stability and cooperation.
 
The welcoming remarks were delivered by HRH Prince Turki AlFaisal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KFCRIS; HE President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Co-Chair of NGIC and former President of Latvia; and HE Miguel Angel Moratinos, High-Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations. The keynote address was given by HE Waleed Al-Khuraiji, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Besides, Ismail Serageldin, Co-Chair NGIC, Vice President of the World Bank 1992-2000; Maria Fernanda Espinosa, 73rd President of the UN General Assembly; Zlatko Lagumdzija, Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2001-2002, Deputy Prime Minister 1993-1996, 2012-2015; Jean Baderschneider, Board of Directors, Fortescue Metals and Fortescue Future Industries; Chair of the Board, The Global Fund to End Modern Slavery; Volkan Bozkir, 75th President of the UN General Assembly; Rosen Plevneliev, President of Bulgaria 2012-2017; Nathalie Goulet, Member of the Senate of France; Valdis Zatlers, President of Latvia 2007- 2011; Amre Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League 2001-2011, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt 1991-2001; Mladen Ivanic, President of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2014-2018; Ivo Josipovic, President of Croatia 2010-2015; Boris Tadic, President of Serbia 2004-2012; Stefan Lofven, Prime Minister of Sweden 2014-2021; Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for the European Neighbourhood Policy 2004-2010, European Commissioner for Trade 2009-2010, European Commissioner for External Relations 2004-2009, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria 2004-2009; Milica Pejanovic, Minister of Defense of Montenegro 2012-2016 are also among the event participants.
 
Participants discussed the transformations of the global order and their implications for geopolitical regions worldwide, particularly the Middle East. Topics include the conflict between Palestine and Israel, security, and the urgent need for global dialogue to enhance understanding and cooperation in resolving international geopolitical and economic issues. The conference emphasized recognizing diverse cultural and religious contexts and reforming global institutions to become more effective and representative.

The 11th edition of the Global Baku Forum, organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, took place from March 14 to 16, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, under the theme “Fixing the Fractured World.”

Since its inception with the support of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the Forum has established a reputation for fostering effective discussions and constructive dialogue. It has gathered high-level participants, including current and former heads of state and government, Nobel Laureates, and senior officials from international organizations.

This year’s Forum successfully completed the participation of 2 current Presidents, 2 Prime Ministers, heads of 7 UN specialized organizations, 25 former presidents, 7 Presidents of the UN General Assembly, 15 Prime Ministers, and 26 Deputy Foreign Ministers from 67 countries.
The Forum addressed a broad range of issues such as Geopolitics, Sustainable Development, COP29, Technology, and Cultural Diplomacy through panels including “The New World Disorder,” “On War and Peace,” “Fixing Global Governance,” “The Value of Regional Political Institutions,” “Regional Perspectives: The Future of the EU, the Caucasus and Central Asia, Africa,” and “Sectoral Perspectives: Health, Education, Food and Agriculture, Water, Transportation and Energy Corridors, On Science and the New Technologies.”

The Global Baku Forum continues to serve as a bridge for collaboration and innovation, aiming to contribute to the collective effort to restore a fractured world by stimulating purposeful action with the insights and experience of its distinguished guests.
 

The Delegation of the NGIC had the pleasure of meeting with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland. The discussions centered on exploring potential joint partnerships and strategies to address the global challenges our world is facing.

Board Members Maria Espinosa, Zlatko Lagumdžija, and Secretary-General Rovshan Muradov of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center met with Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy at the United Nations. The discussion focused on the outcomes of the XI Global Baku Forum, as well as potential partnerships for the Summit of the Future and other initiatives.

Nizami Ganjavi International Center held a fruitful meeting with Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women. The discussion centered on gender equality and climate priorities, the role of women in crises, and strengthening the partnership between NGIC and UN Women. Both sides agreed to collaborate on upcoming initiatives, including the Summit of the Future, COP29 in Azerbaijan, and a High-Level meeting in New York. They also spoke about women’s centrality in driving the climate change agenda and how they can work together to ensure COP29 further puts gender equality at the core of climate action.