Azerbaijan considers itself part of the Global South

Azerbaijan understands the historical injustices, colonialism and neocolonialism faced by Global South countries and supports the institutionalization of the platform, Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev said.

Speaking at the General Assembly of the Global South NGO Platform in Baku, Hajiyev said Azerbaijan considers itself part of the Global South geographically, historically, culturally and “by destiny.”

He said Global South countries had historically suffered from colonialism and neocolonialism, adding that it was regrettable that such practices continued in new forms.

Hajiyev said Azerbaijan had made the fight against neocolonialism one of its priorities during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement in 2019–2022.

He also said the United Nations Decolonization Committee was unable to fully implement its mandate due to resistance from some countries.

Hajiyev said Azerbaijan contributed to developing economic cooperation with Global South countries during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement and its hosting of COP29.

He said the voice of the Global South had long been ignored in shaping the global order, despite these countries accounting for about 80% of the world’s population.

“We cannot remain mere observers,” Hajiyev said.