What is the role that parliaments can play in creating a legislative environment favourable to joint investment among Islamic States?

Parliaments play a fundamental role in fostering an enabling environment for economic cooperation and joint investment among Islamic States. Through their legislative, oversight, and representative functions, parliaments contribute to establishing transparent, predictable, and investor-friendly legal frameworks that encourage cross-border economic partnerships.

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, closer economic integration among OIC Member States requires facilitation of trade and financial flows. National parliaments play a pivotal role by adopting legislation that promotes legal certainty, strengthens the rule of law, and enhances confidence among investors.

Equally important is parliamentary diplomacy. Platforms such as the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) provide valuable opportunities for dialogue, exchange of best practices, and coordination of legislative initiatives aimed at advancing economic cooperation. Through sustained parliamentary engagement, Member States can contribute to reducing regulatory barriers, encouraging innovation, and supporting the development of regional value chains.

The Republic of Azerbaijan attaches great importance to strengthening economic cooperation within the Islamic world. Under the leadership of President H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has pursued policies aimed at improving the business environment, enhancing connectivity, and promoting mutually beneficial partnerships. We believe that parliaments have a significant role to play in supporting these efforts by ensuring that legislative frameworks respond effectively to contemporary economic challenges and opportunities.

What policies does the Parliament of Azerbaijan adopt to empower young people in social life?

The Republic of Azerbaijan considers youth to be one of the principal driving forces of national development. Youth empowerment has long been among the strategic priorities of state policy, reflecting our conviction that investing in young people is an investment in the future of society.

The Parliament of Azerbaijan actively supports legislative initiatives aimed at expanding educational opportunities, encouraging civic engagement, promoting entrepreneurship, and facilitating the participation of young people in public life. Particular attention is devoted to creating conditions that enable young citizens to realize their potential, develop leadership skills, and contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes.

Azerbaijan has established a comprehensive institutional framework for youth development, including dedicated youth policies, support programs, and platforms for dialogue between public institutions and young people. The Milli Majlis regularly considers legislative measures related to education, employment, innovation, digital transformation, and social welfare, all of which directly contribute to improving opportunities for younger generations.

Furthermore, Azerbaijani youth actively participate in international initiatives, intercultural dialogue programs, volunteer movements, and parliamentary activities. These experiences help cultivate responsible citizenship, strengthen social cohesion, and promote a deeper understanding of global challenges.

As parliamentarians, we recognize that empowering youth is not merely a social objective but a strategic necessity. We therefore remain committed to supporting policies that encourage the active participation of young people in shaping a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future.

In light of the successful experience of the Republic of Azerbaijan in promoting women’s participation in political and social life, as exemplified by Your Excellency’s long-standing leadership of the Azerbaijani Parliament, how do you think the role of women in parliamentary work could be further enhanced in PUIC Member States?

The Republic of Azerbaijan has a long-standing tradition of promoting women’s participation in political and public life. It is particularly noteworthy that in 1918, with the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Azerbaijani women were granted the right to vote and be elected, making Azerbaijan one of the first countries in the world—and the first in the Muslim East—to provide women with full electoral rights.

Today, the empowerment of women remains one of the key priorities of state policy in Azerbaijan. Significant progress has been achieved in increasing women’s participation in decision-making processes, public administration, education, science, business, and parliamentary activities.

A special role in advancing this agenda belongs to the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, whose extensive public, humanitarian, cultural, and social initiatives have made an invaluable contribution to promoting women’s leadership, education, and active engagement in society. Through her example and dedicated efforts, many women and young girls have been encouraged to participate more actively in public and political life.

In our view, the role of women in parliamentary work across PUIC Member States can be further enhanced through several key measures. First, it is important to create greater opportunities for women’s participation in political decision-making processes, including through leadership development programs, mentoring initiatives, and capacity-building activities for current and future women parliamentarians.

Second, parliaments should continue promoting legislative frameworks that ensure equal opportunities for women and men in political, economic, and social spheres. Equally important is the exchange of best practices among PUIC Member States regarding the advancement of women’s representation in elected and appointed positions.

Third, strengthening parliamentary networks of women legislators and encouraging their active participation in international parliamentary platforms can contribute to sharing experiences, addressing common challenges, and developing coordinated approaches to gender-responsive policymaking.

The PUIC can play an important role in this regard by serving as a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and the dissemination of successful national experiences. By investing in women’s leadership and ensuring their meaningful participation in parliamentary processes, we strengthen not only our democratic institutions but also the social and economic development of our societies.

Azerbaijan remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at advancing the role of women in parliamentary diplomacy and governance and stands ready to share its experience with fellow PUIC Member States.

How does the Parliament of Azerbaijan seek to integrate modern technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the development of legislative and oversight work?

Digital transformation is reshaping governance and parliamentary institutions worldwide. Recognizing these developments, the Parliament of Azerbaijan attaches considerable importance to the integration of modern technologies into legislative and oversight activities in order to enhance efficiency, transparency, accessibility, and institutional effectiveness.

The ongoing modernization of parliamentary procedures includes the wider use of digital platforms, electronic document management systems, and information technologies that facilitate legislative drafting, committee work, research, and communication with citizens. These tools help improve the quality and timeliness of parliamentary decision-making while strengthening public engagement.

Artificial Intelligence presents significant opportunities for parliaments in areas such as legal research, comparative legislative analysis, data processing, policy evaluation, and the management of large volumes of information. At the same time, the introduction of AI must be guided by principles of transparency, accountability, security, and respect for human oversight.

Azerbaijan has made substantial progress in advancing digital governance and innovation, and these achievements provide a strong foundation for the future application of emerging technologies within parliamentary institutions. The Parliament remains attentive to international best practices and evolving technological developments that can support more informed and evidence-based policymaking.

As we move forward, it will be important for parliaments across the Islamic world to cooperate in addressing both the opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence. Through dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and coordinated approaches, we can ensure that technological innovation serves the interests of our citizens and contributes to sustainable development, good governance, and stronger democratic institutions.