Zimbabwe, Azerbaijan deepen bilateral ties

Source: Zimbabwe, Azerbaijan deepen bilateral ties – herald

Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda (left), his Azerbaijani counterpart, Professor Sahiba Gafarova (right), Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Webster Shamhu (second row left), legislators Priscilla Moyo (second row right), Robson Mavenyengwa (third row left) and other delegates inside the chamber of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Farirai Machivenyika

Senior Reporter

THE Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, who is leading a parliamentary delegation on a four-day working visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, met his counterpart, Speaker of the country’s Parliament, the Milli Majlis, Professor Sahiba Gafarova, on Monday, during which they discussed various issues aimed at strengthening cordial relations between the two countries.

Before the meeting, Advocate Mudenda and his delegation toured the chamber of the Milli Majlis, which is equipped with the latest technologies harnessing artificial intelligence and e-Parliament systems.

“After the eye-opening tour, the delegation held a candid and fruitful interface with Prof Gafarova, which focused on ways to accentuate the existing cordial relations between Zimbabwe and Azerbaijan, and indeed between the two legislatures, anchored on shared values and principles of peace, sustainable development, territorial integrity and sovereignty,” read a statement from the Parliament of Zimbabwe.

The statement said the two Speakers reflected on their previous interactions at international fora, in particular at the Parliamentary Meeting on the sidelines of COP29 held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024; the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) held in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2025; and the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Related Meetings held in Istanbul, Türkiye, in April 2026.

“In this context, the Speakers underscored their commitment to multilateralism and increasing visibility on issues of global concern. Additionally, the bilateral engagements paved the way for accelerated relations between the two legislatures, culminating in the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Zimbabwe Parliamentary Friendship Association.

“Under the ambit of the Parliamentary Association, members of the Azerbaijan-Zimbabwe Working Group undertook a highly successful visit to Zimbabwe in May 2025. This reciprocal visit to Azerbaijan further solidifies the parliamentary ties between the two legislatures, it was observed,” read the statement. The Speakers concurred that Zimbabwe and Azerbaijan enjoy strong political relations, having established diplomatic relations in 2008.

There have been high-level visits between Harare and Baku, most notably President Mnangagwa’s visit to Baku for COP29 in 2024.

However, the Speakers lamented the lack of diplomatic representation in both capitals, with the Zimbabwean Embassy in Russia covering Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijan covers Zimbabwe from Pretoria, South Africa.

“Accordingly, the Speakers resolved to engage their respective Presidents with a view to opening diplomatic missions in the respective capitals as a way of bolstering economic relations, which are currently low,” the statement further reads.

Advocate Mudenda noted that the Parliament of Azerbaijan and the Parliament of Zimbabwe have contributed extensively to supporting democracy globally, particularly as both subscribe to the principles of the United Nations Charter anchored on multilateralism, respect for international law and the territorial sovereignty of all nations.

“Speaker Mudenda took note of Speaker Gafarova’s candidacy for the position of President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). He appreciated the letter from the IPU Secretariat indicating that the Eurasia Geopolitical Group has not had the opportunity to hold the IPU Presidency in the last 30 years.

“In the spirit of equality in the rotation of the IPU leadership, Advocate Mudenda supported Speaker Gafarova’s candidature, guided by the principle of rotational leadership. In this context, he wished her well in her aspiration to become the next IPU President,” the statement reads.

In her remarks, Speaker Gafarova invited Zimbabwean students to take up scholarships being offered by the Republic of Azerbaijan. Furthermore, she advised the delegation that there are also scholarship opportunities through the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network.

Advocate Mudenda and his delegation also met Mr Mahir Suleymanli, Head of the Azerbaijan-Zimbabwe Inter-Parliamentary Working Group, and his delegation.

The Speaker also met the Azerbaijan Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Ecology, chaired by Sadig Gurbanov, where they discussed parliamentary co-operation in the governance of natural resources, sustainable energy development and ecological stewardship.

“Finally, Speaker Mudenda and his delegation interfaced with members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Relations, led by Mr Samad Seyidov, the Chairperson of the Committee,” read the statement.