The PABSEC Participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Antalya, 1-3 March 2024
Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the Diplomatic Forum on “Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil”, which was held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Türkiye at the Nest Congress Centre in Antalya on 1-3 March 2024.
At the opening of the Forum, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Türkiye, addressed the participants and emphasized the importance of diplomacy, especially at present complicated international environment. In his address, Mr. Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, noted the particular importance of international negotiation platforms, such as the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in the context of present crisis situations.
The Forum was attended by representatives of 147 countries, including 19 heads of state, 73 ministers and 57 international representatives, as well as former heads of state and government, high-ranking officials, representatives of the business community and civil society, public figures, scientists, and students.
The three-day Forum was held in the format of panel discussions and round tables. Participants discussed global problems and crises, such as climate change, migration, racism, xenophobia, trade wars, counter-terrorism, artificial intelligence, energy security, etc.
The PABSEC Secretary General took part in the round table on the topic “Parliaments’ Role in Promoting Peace and Development”. The PABSEC Secretary General noted the complexity of the situation in the Black Sea region and the need to resolve existing conflicts. In this regard, he emphasized the role of parliaments and parliamentary diplomacy in promoting peace and development.
On the sidelines of the forum, the PABSEC Secretary General held conversations with many colleagues from parliaments of different countries and international parliamentary organizations.
As part of the round table, a conversation took place between the PABSEC Secretary General and Mr. Ryszard Czarnecki, Chair of the European Parliament – Turkiye Friendship group, MEP from Poland, and Mr. Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The dynamics of the development of the OTS were noted and the role of parliaments and parliamentary organizations in the development of countries was assessed.
Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, met with Mr. Ozan Acar, Chairman of the E-Commerce Council of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), at his request. Mr. Acar expressed interest in the activities of the PABSEC. The PABSEC Secretary General invited Mr. Acar to the PABSEC General Assembly in Tirana in May 2024.
During the Forum, the PABSEC Secretary General gave an interview to local news agencies and assessed the current geopolitical situation from the point of view of parliamentary diplomacy and the role of the PABSEC in strengthening it.
As part of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, exhibitions were also held with the participation of diplomats, politicians, representatives of non-governmental organizations and the business community.