Baku, March 13, AZERTAC

The Baku-hosted 12th Global Baku Forum, continued on Thursday with the second panel session on “Reimagining Multilateralism for a Multipolar World.”

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), addressed the panel session moderated by Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium.

“Isolation is not an option, as international cooperation is essential. The only chance is a joint struggle. The U.S. contributes 30 percent of development assistance. Therefore, the non-payment of this funding will negatively affect healthcare. For example, a lack of financial assistance for the fight against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other areas will hinder advanced measures. Shortages of medicines in warehouses and delivery delays will make treatment more difficult. It is especially critical to mention the African continent, where we may have to shut down over seven hundred laboratories," the WHO chief noted.

In his remarks, Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister, said that the system of international relations is entering a new phase, with geopolitical changes and large-scale conflicts being observed. “It is essential to find solutions to address the crisis challenges in this area. Many institutions are striving to implement effective approaches, seeking to move away from the use of force and bring the parties closer together,” the minister noted.

FM Bayramov emphasized that multipolarity signifies a global shift in power and the restoration of balance. "States are striving to cooperate more closely from an ideological standpoint, with bilateral agreements being prioritized over larger ones.”

“Despite conflicts and challenges, Azerbaijan coordinates with its partners. We prioritize equality. Azerbaijan attaches great importance to multilateral relations and engages with all international organizations. We defend our national interests, but at the same time, we respect the interests of others,” the minister added.

Other key speakers, including Tarja Halonen, former President of Finland, Ana Palacio, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Srgjan Kerim, President of the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Amre Moussa, former Secretary-General of Arab League, Marc Uzan, Executive Director and Founder of Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee, and Wang Yiwei, Director of the Center for European Studies at Renmin University highlighted the importance of the Baku-hosted Global Forum in finding solutions to the most critical issues facing the modern world, as well as discussing topics such as the multipolar world, geopolitical changes, new world order, global threats to international peace and security, as well as supporting multilateralism.

The panel continued with further discussions on the topic.