High-Level Meeting on Middle East Uncertainties and Opportunities Kicks Off in Riyadh
Published: 21 May 2024
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.
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NGIC is an official partner of the 2025 Imperial Springs International Forum
The Nizami Ganjavi International Center is an official partner of the 2025 Imperial Springs International Forum.
Held 30 November - 4 December 2025 in Guangzhou, China, the Imperial Springs International Forum brought together world leaders, policymakers, experts, and representatives of international organizations as a high-level platform dedicated to strengthening global cooperation and solidarity.
Former heads of state and government, prominent public figures, and renowned scholars from more than 30 countries participated in the Forum.
Discussions addressed key issues such as multilateralism, global security, economic transformations, climate and low-carbon development, technological innovation, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
As one of the Forum’s principal partners, the Nizami Ganjavi International Center was widely represented across high-level panels.
The Center was represented by:
- Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Co-Chair of the NGIC, former President of Latvia
- Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly
- Jean Baderschneider, former Vice President of ExxonMobil
- Zlatko Lagumdzija, former Prime Minister and Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN
- Mladen Ivanic, former President of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium
- Volkan Bozkır, President of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly
- Rosen Plevneliev, former President of Bulgaria • Petar Stoyanov, former President of Bulgaria
- Hedva Ser, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
- Sebastian Kurz, Chancellor of Austria (2017–2019 / 2020–2021)
- Ivo Josipovic, former President of Croatia
- Valdis Zatlers, former President of Latvia
NGIC representatives contributed to discussions on recalibrating global governance, economic resilience, technological security, green development, and multilateral cooperation.
It should be noted that through its long-standing cooperation with the Imperial Springs International Forum, the Center plays an active role in advancing global dialogue, promoting multilateral platforms for peace and development, and supporting joint engagement among leaders.
Secretary-General of NGIC held a series of bilateral meetings in Beijing
Secretary-General of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, Mr. Rovshan Muradov, held a series of bilateral meetings in Beijing.
The visit began with a meeting with Ambassador Wu Hongbo, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs. This was followed by discussions with Li Daokui, a leading Chinese economist, Mansfield Freeman Professor at Tsinghua University and Director of the Center for China in the World Economy (CCWE), and Dr. David Pan, Executive Dean of Schwarzman College. The meetings focused on cooperation opportunities and global development priorities.
On the second day, the Secretary-General met with Wu Ken, President of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, and Yang Tao, Vice-President of the Institute, to discuss humanitarian dialogue, global security, and prospects for multilateral cooperation.
The program continued with a meeting with Justin Yifu Lin, former Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank, during which regional economic trends and sustainable development strategies were reviewed.
The Beijing meetings contributed to further strengthening NGIC’s strategic cooperation with Chinese partners and expanding its role in fostering global dialogue.
NGIC actively participated in COP30
At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) held in Brazil, the Nizami Ganjavi International Center took part in high-level discussions on climate resilience, sustainable development, and inclusive transitions.
The delegation included the Center’s members—Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly; Jean Baderschneider, Board Member of Fortescue and former Vice President of ExxonMobil; and Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, COP20 President.
Speaking at the COP30 Local Leaders Forum, Maria Fernanda Espinosa emphasized that cities are both vulnerable and transformative power centers in addressing the climate crisis and highlighted the importance of ensuring a just transition.
Within the conference framework, the Center’s representatives engaged in international initiatives on biodiversity conservation, sustainable ecosystem management, and combating wildlife crimes, as well as exchanging views with partners on continuing the legacy established at COP29 in Baku.
The Center also participated in the "Global Dialogue and the Caspian Sea" process, dedicated to strengthening climate cooperation in the Caspian region, highlighting the importance of multilateral action against environmental challenges such as water level decline, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
At a special session organized by UNCTAD during COP30, the Center’s members discussed the role of sustainable trade and investment in implementing national climate commitments (NDCs) and explored international cooperation opportunities in building low-emission value chains.
NGIC hosted the side event to the Paris Peace Forum titled “From COP29 to COP30 & XIII Global Baku Forum.”
Within the framework of the Paris Peace Forum, the Nizami Ganjavi International Center hosted a high-level side event titled “From COP29 to COP30: Advancing the Global Climate Dialogue and Preparing for the XIII Global Baku Forum.”
The meeting, moderated by former President of Serbia Boris Tadić, brought together former heads of state and government, leaders of international organizations, parliamentarians, and experts from across the world. Building on the outcomes of COP29, the discussion focused on the preparation process for COP30, global climate financing, and the challenges of sustainable development. Among the topics addressed was the “Caspian Sea Agenda,” which covered key issues related to the legal status of the Caspian Sea, as well as energy and environmental cooperation.
In recent years, the NGIC has made notable contributions to the global climate agenda through initiatives such as the London and Baku Climate Action Weeks, as well as high-level meetings held in Beijing, Tashkent, and New York. The Paris event is considered a continuation of these ongoing efforts.
The discussions also emphasized preparations for the XIII Global Baku Forum, scheduled for March 2026, including a presentation of the upcoming Forum.
Distinguished speakers included COP29 President and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev; Presidents of COP20, COP21, COP22, COP24, and COP30; President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova; Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braze; Vice-President of the French Senate Xavier Iacovelli; French Senator Nathalie Goulet; former President of Serbia Boris Tadic; former Prime Minister of Greece George Papandreou; former President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet; and other prominent global leaders.