China's four global initiatives have offered a comprehensive framework for building a more inclusive, secure and sustainable world, said Azerbaijan's Speaker of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) Sahiba Gafarova on Thursday while addressing the plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026 in south China's tropical island province of Hainan.
In her speech, Gafarova said that at a time of growing geopolitical tensions widening inequalities and global challenges, dialogue and cooperation are not optional, but are imperative. She described the Boao Forum as a vital platform for collective reflection and coordinated action.
Over 25 years, the forum has demonstrated its value -- the space where leaders and experts come together to advance practical solutions, promote sustainable development and strengthen international collaboration, she said.
Gafarova also hailed China's role in the current international system.
"I would like to commend that China plays an important and constructive role in today's international system. It has remarkable achievements in economic, social and technological development and its commitment to sharing these gains reflects a forward-looking vision of community with a shared future for mankind," she said.
Gafarova expressed her confidence that the successful implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan for national socioeconomic development in the 2026-2030 period recently adopted by China's National People's Congress will further advance and broaden vision.
"At the same time, the Global Development, Global Security, Global Civilization and Global Governance initiatives proposed by His Excellency President Xi Jinping, which are supported by my country Azerbaijan, offer a comprehensive framework for building a more inclusive, secure and sustainable world based on cooperation, mutual respect and shared responsibility," she said.
Noting that Azerbaijan and China are approaching the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Gafarova said it is encouraging to see the partnership between the two countries reaching a new level.
"The recent high-level exchanges, including [Azerbaijani] President Ilham Aliyev's visit to China and the signing of two key joint declarations on strategic and comprehensive strategic partnership, clearly demonstrate the depths of our political dialogue, mutual trust and expanding cooperation. Azerbaijan fully supports these initiatives and shares these principles," she said.
Gafarova said Azerbaijan attached particular importance to the principle of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference.
She said the national vision of her country is grounded in peace, development, multilateralism, mutual respect and cooperation and is consistently translated into actions, citing the parliamentary network of the Non-Aligned Movement, established at the initiative of President Aliyev, as well as the COP29, the Global Baku Forum, and the upcoming 13th World Urban Forum and 2026 summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.
Gafarova said Azerbaijan plays a key role in ensuring energy security across a wide region, with its ongoing investments in green energy to further strengthen this contribution, and that the country has become a major transport hub across Eurasia.
As an early supporter of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Azerbaijan continues to contribute actively to its development, and is the second largest investor in this initiative after China, she said, noting that the Middle Corridor has proven to be one of the most optimal and security routes linking Europe with central Asia and China via the Caspian Sea.
President Aliyev has emphasized that Azerbaijan's projects are designed not only to deliver economic benefits but also to promote stability, interdependence and trust among nations, she said.
Gafarova said the forum once again demonstrates that through partnership, dialogue and mutual respect, all parties can effectively address common challenges and build a more stable and prosperous future.
Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.
Running from March 24 to 27, this year's conference is themed "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation."
China's initiatives offer framework for more inclusive, sustainable world: Azerbaijani parliament speaker
