In this era of globalization and digitalization, parliaments are called upon to promote solidarity, cooperation, collaboration and leadership in order to successfully face the challenges of peace, security and sustainable development, stated Right Honorable Speaker of Burundi National Assembly, along with his delegation, during Baku Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network held from 30 June to 1 July 2022 in Azerbaijan.

Launched at the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Madrid, this Network brings together 120 countries. The objective of the conference was to set up the institutions of the Network by adopting its rules of procedure, the Baku Declaration and setting up its Bureau. The Baku Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network assembly proceeded to elect by consensus the Chair of the Network, Mrs. Sahiba Gafarova, current Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament, for a 3-year renewable mandate, as well as her three deputies from Palestine, Libya and Venezuela.

On the margins of the Baku Conference, Right Honorable Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, Speaker of Burundi National Assembly had the opportunity to meet with his Algerian counterpart, Ibrahim Boughali. Their exchanges focused on friendship relations, cooperation and common interests.

He also had a fruitful meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Mrs Sahiba Gafarova, during which they exchanged on maintaining and strengthening friendship relations and cooperation as well as intensifying reciprocal visits in order to share experience in the economic and socio-cultural fields.

At the end of the conference, the youth were asked to participate in the movement at their level for its perpetuation, a request that was welcomed by the conferees.
This network, which will serve to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, will have its next meeting in Manama, Bahrain, in March 2023.