New york: Speaker of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova, engaged with permanent representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Sahiba Gafarova addressed the gathering by emphasizing Azerbaijan's active role within the OIC and highlighted that the Milli Majlis currently presides over the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC). She underscored the potential of parliamentary diplomacy in enhancing international negotiations by linking them with national parliaments.

Gafarova further stressed the significance of strengthening the cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). She pointed out that such cooperation facilitates the implementation of international decisions through national parliamentary efforts, thereby translating agreements into concrete outcomes for the public.

The Speaker noted the capacity of parliamentarians to maintain dialogue and reduce misunderstandings even when official relations face challenges. She advocated for the IPU to enhance its collaboration with regional parliamentary bodies, including the PUIC, to elevate the OIC's priorities in global discussions and bolster the fight against Islamophobia, racism, and religious intolerance.

The meeting also provided a platform for exchanging views on the roles and activities of international parliamentary organizations, aiming to foster cooperation and mutual understanding.