BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 15.​ The United
Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) has put out the
word on its official website regarding the Global South NGO
Platform (GSNP), which was born in Baku when NGOs from 116
countries came together in April 2025, showcasing a fresh approach
to collaboration, Trend reports.


UNOSSC has described the GSNP as one of the most inclusive civil
society mobilizations in recent years.


This marks the first time that the UN Office for South-South
Cooperation has highlighted a global initiative led by Azerbaijani
NGOs on its official profile.


To note, the Global South, covering Latin America, Africa, Asia,
Oceania, and Australia and home to 80% of the world’s population,
has often been excluded from international decision-making and
deprived of agency at critical moments. Against the backdrop of
ongoing disintegration processes, the creation of cooperation
formats based on mutual trust, benefit, equality, consultation, and
respect for cultural diversity has never been more relevant.
Established at a time when a new world order is emerging and
dividing lines are being redrawn, the Global South NGO Platform is
a significant manifestation of the need to unite against global
isolation.


Until now, there had been no unified network bringing together
NGOs across the Non-Aligned Movement region. For the first time, an
initiative put forward by Azerbaijani civil society has gained
international support from a vast region comprising two-thirds of
the world’s countries, with NGOs from 116 countries gathering in
Baku to establish a joint platform. The participation of civil
society representatives from 116 of the 120 countries of the
Non-Aligned Movement in this format is an unprecedented event not
only for Azerbaijan but also for the Global South as a whole. While
the Non-Aligned Movement has youth and parliamentary networks, it
previously lacked an NGO network. The Global South NGO Platform is
well positioned to serve as the NGO network of the Non-Aligned
Movement.


The founding spirit of the Platform fully aligns with the
historic “Bandung Principles” adopted in Indonesia 70 years ago.
These principles reject interference in the internal affairs of
states and promote the creation of a peaceful and just world order,
respect for countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity,
equality of peoples, and mobilization to strengthen mutual
interests, cooperation, and economic prosperity. Azerbaijan adheres
to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, respects
the political systems and cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity
of peoples, and consistently promotes interfaith,
intercivilizational, and intercultural dialogue.


In May this year in New York, UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib
welcomed the establishment of the Global South NGO Platform in
Baku, stating that the office is interested in close cooperation
with the GSNP.


UNOSSC’s publication of information about the GSNP on its
official website once again demonstrates that the platform’s
activities have attracted global attention in a short period of
time.


Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's
WhatsApp
channel