On 7 October 2022, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the International Conference “CIS Convention on Standards for Democratic Elections: Open Space for International Cooperation”, which was attended by more than 200 participants: parliamentarians, representatives of international parliamentary delegations, election administration bodies, experts, and scientists.

Speakers noted that the CIS Convention on Standards for Democratic Elections laid a solid foundation for democratic development in the CIS area since elections are a key mechanism that ensures the legitimacy of state power and public consent. It was noted the importance of the role of the Convention in enhancing democracy, as well as international cooperation in the election sphere.

In his speech, the PABSEC Secretary General spoke about the importance of international cooperation in the field of election observation, strengthening democratic institutions, and ensuring democratic processes by enhancing inter-parliamentary cooperation and exchange of experience.

On the sidelines of the Conference, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev met with Mr. Dmitry Kobitsky, Secretary General - Head of the Secretariat of the IPA CIS Council and discussed the prospects for cooperation within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the two Assemblies.

Mr. Asaf Hajiyev also met with Mr. Mehmet Sureyya Er, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Turkic States (TURKPA), during which sides expressed the intention to expand cooperation between the TURKPA and the PABSEC.

At the end of the plenary part of the Conference, Mr. Dmitry Kobitsky, Secretary General of the IPA CIS Council, presented a draft Resolution prepared by the organizing committee of the Conference. The Resolution was adopted as a whole, and the organizing committee was instructed to finalize the document in accordance with the submitted suggestions and proposals.