The Nizami Ganjavi International Center successfully held its 33rd High-Level Meeting in Tashkent under the theme “Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Europe – Cooperation for Common Development.” The meeting took place under the auspices of H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and in partnership with the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The event was held from 18–20 August 2025 in the cities of Tashkent and Samarkand.

This was the first time NGIC hosted a major event in Central Asia. The meeting gathered former heads of state and government, prominent leaders, representatives of international organizations, and officials from Uzbekistan, representing over 20 countries.

The forum took place against the backdrop of strengthened mutual understanding between Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, highlighting the strategic importance of the region as one of the key geopolitical links of our time, especially amid global political and economic turbulence.

During the two-day event, participants engaged in in-depth discussions across five panels:

Panel 1: Connectivity between Central Asia and the European Union: The Role of the Middle Corridor

Panel 2: Climate Challenges in Central Asia and the European Union: New Opportunities for Transregional Cooperation

Panel 3: Artificial Intelligence as a Key Driver of Future Regional Development

Panel 4: Modern Uzbekistan: Reform Outcomes and Strategic Directions for Future Growth

Panel 5: The Geopolitical Role of Central Asia in a Changing World

An excerpt from the address of H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, delivered by H.E. Abdulaziz Kamilov, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Foreign Policy, during the meeting emphasized that “Azerbaijan serves as a strategic bridge linking Central Asia and Europe.” This highlighted Azerbaijan’s key role in promoting regional cooperation and shared development goals.

The meeting highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development, reinforcing NGIC’s role as a platform for dialogue between Central Asia, Azerbaijan, and Europe.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center, in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), co-organized a side event titled “Unlocking the Virtuous Circle: From Financing for Development to Financing from Development”.

The event took place within the framework of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held in Seville, Spain. It brought together high-level participants from international organizations, governments, and financial institutions to explore innovative approaches to development finance.

Discussions focused on the evolving relationship between external and domestic financing, and how development outcomes themselves can become catalysts for new financing opportunities. The session highlighted the importance of integrated strategies that align financial systems with sustainable development objectives.

The event brought together prominent global leaders, including:

• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
• H.E. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD
• H.E. María Fernanda Espinosa, Member of NGIC; President of the 73rd UN General Assembly
• H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29 
• H.E. Igor Luksic, Former Prime Minister of Montenegro
• H.E. Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th UN General Assembly
• H.E. Jan Fischer, Former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
• H.E. Yves Leterme, Former Prime Minister of Belgium

NGIC’s active participation in the conference underscores its growing role in shaping global dialogue on economic governance, inclusive development, and multilateral cooperation.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC), in collaboration with the COP29 Azerbaijan Presidency and the UN Climate High-Level Champions, co-organized a side event titled “From Baku to Belém: Global Climate Action for a Green Economy” during London Climate Action Week 2025.

The event featured the participation of UN Climate Champion H.E. Nigar Arpadarai and focused on identifying concrete and scalable pathways to accelerate global climate action. Discussions centered on unlocking private sector investment, supporting community-led initiatives, and promoting inclusive and resilient climate solutions.

Bringing together policymakers, private sector representatives, and civil society leaders, the event served as a platform to bridge regional perspectives and global ambitions ahead of COP29 in Baku and COP30 in Belém.

Speakers emphasized the urgency of coordinated international efforts, innovation-driven strategies, and the role of multilateral cooperation in delivering on the goals of the Paris Agreement and beyond.

The NGIC continues to play an active role in convening thought leaders and decision-makers to support sustainable development and inclusive dialogue across global platforms.

H.E. Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania, received a joint delegation from the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Tirana. The high-level meeting focused on dialogue, peace, and multilateral cooperation. Both sides emphasized the importance of joint action in addressing global challenges and explored opportunities for future collaboration.

NGIC Members Participated in UNAOC High-Level Panel on Bridging Cultures and Religions

Members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) participated in a high-level panel discussion organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), titled “Bridging Cultures and Religions in the Euro-Mediterranean Region: Reflecting on the UNAOC Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity.”

The panel was held within the framework of ALFORUM, a global platform aimed at promoting intercultural understanding and collaboration across regions.

Members of the Center, Mladen Ivanic,Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2016-2017), and George Papandreou, Prime Minister of Greece (2009-2011),took part in the forum, alongside friends of the Center including Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for UNAOC, Egemen Bağış, Former Minister for European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator of the Republic of Türkiye, and Nihal Saad, Director UNAOC. The discussions focused on promoting dialogue, intercultural understanding, and regional cooperation.

As part of the broader mission in China, NGIC Secretary- General Rovshan Muradov traveled to Guangzhou, where he met with Chau Chak Wing, a prominent philanthropist and businessman. Dr. Chau expressed his strong support for NGIC’s mission and values and affirmed his personal commitment to advancing the Center’s work globally. The meeting marked a significant step in expanding NGIC’s outreach in China, particularly in the area s of education, cultural diplomacy, and leadership development. 

From Beijing to Guangzhou, the delegation built meaningful partnerships, across academia, government, and civil society.
The engagement with Chau Chak Wing added an important philanthropic dimension to the trip, further anchoring NGIC’s presence and partnerships within China.

The visit underscored NGIC’s role as a trusted global platform for East-West dialogue and multilateral cooperation, and its continuing mission to support peace, leadership, and international understanding. 

The delegation of NGIC actively participated in the 11th Annual China and Globalization Forum, hosted by the Center for China and Globalization (CCG). NGIC members contributed to high-level panel discussions addressing global governance, multipolarity, and the evolving role of multilateral institutions. Their participation reflected NGIC’s commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue on pressing global issues.

The NGIC delegation included globally recognized leaders:

• Boris Tadic, Former President of Serbia
• Borut Pahor, Former President of Slovenia
• Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Former President of Croatia
• Dumitru Braghis, Former Prime Minister of Moldova
• Ana Palacio, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain
• Milica Pejanovic-Durisic, Former Minister of Defense of Montenegro
• Vladimir Norov, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan
• Rovshan Muradov, Secretary-General, NGIC

In the framework of the NGIC delegation’s visit to China, the delegation held a meeting with Wang Chao, President of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA). Discussions centered on the importance of institutional partnerships and the shared objective of promoting international dialogue. Both sides expressed strong interest in exploring future avenues for cooperation.

In the framework of the NGIC delegation’s visit to China, a meeting took place with Nurlan Yermekbayev, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The conversation provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on regional and global stability, the evolving role of multilateral organizations, and potential areas of collaboration on joint initiatives.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center in partnership with the Friends of the Western Balkans held its XXXII High-Level Meeting under the title “The New Geopolitics and The Western Balkans” from 24–25 April 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The gathering came at a pivotal moment, as the Western Balkans region faces growing political and security challenges amid waning confidence in the European Union’s enlargement process.

The meeting reaffirmed its role as the foremost international forum dedicated to the Western Balkans, bringing together 34 distinguished speakers from 18 countries. Among them were 7 former Presidents, 4 former Prime Ministers, and 3 former Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly. The conference aimed to generate concrete strategies to enhance peace, stability, and a renewed European vision for the region.

The two-day conference featured the following thematic sessions:

- The New Global Geopolitics – In Which Direction is the World Changing and the Impact on the Western Balkans?

- How Do the New U.S. Administration of Donald Trump and the New European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen Influence the Western Balkans?

- Assessing the EU Enlargement Strategy and Its Effectiveness under the New European Commission 

- Spheres of Interest and the Western Balkans – What is the Impact of the Russian Federation, China, and Türkiye?

During the conference, distinguished speakers provided frank assessments of the European Union’s enlargement process and its implications for the Western Balkans.

The XXXII High-Level Meeting underscored the urgent need for a renewed, united, and pragmatic approach to the Western Balkans, grounded in shared responsibility and a clear European vision for the future.

As part of the meeting, the NGIC presented its special publication"The Magic of the Pen: Selected Miniatures from the Khamsa of Nizami Ganjavi” to Tanja Fajon, celebrating the enduring cultural heritage of the region and the values of dialogue and inclusion. In addition, Minister Fajon was presented with a gold coin featuring illustrations inspired by Khamsa— Nizami’s five legendary epic poems—each representing the enduring ideals of wisdom, love, justice, and the pursuit of knowledge.