The First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Hon Malungo Chisangano, MP, has called for enhanced parliamentary cooperation between Zambia and Azerbaijan through strengthened parliamentary diplomacy and legislative collaboration.

Hon Chisangano said this during a high-level bilateral meeting with the First Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Hon Ali Javad oglu Ahmadov, held on the sidelines of the 13^th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Thursday, 21^st May, 2026.

She stated that Zambia and Azerbaijan continue to enjoy warm and cordial bilateral relations, largely sustained through their shared membership in international organisations such as the Non-Aligned Movement and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Hon Chisangano noted the importance of deepening the longstanding diplomatic ties between the two countries. She described parliamentary diplomacy as an important tool in promoting peace, democracy, sustainable development and stronger people-to-people relations between nations.

The First Deputy Speaker therefore, called for the establishment of a Zambia–Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group, which she said would provide a platform for strengthening relations between the two legislatures, promoting parliamentary exchanges and fostering cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Meanwhile, First Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Hon Ali Javad oglu Ahmadov, welcomed the proposal to establish a Parliamentary Friendship Group between the two Parliaments.

He stated that the Friendship Group has significant potential to further expand cooperation, particularly at parliamentary level.

Hon Ahmadov reiterated Azerbaijan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Zambia and expressed optimism that increased parliamentary engagement would contribute to enhanced cooperation in various sectors of mutual interest.

Hon Ahmadov also extended his best wishes to Zambia ahead of the country’s General Elections scheduled for 13th August 2026, expressing hope for peaceful and successful elections.

Earlier in the day, Hon Chisangano participated in a Roundtable Discussion for Parliamentarians, where discussions focused on the role of Parliaments in translating global commitments into national outcomes.

The discussions also examined how legislatures can strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms to ensure that housing policies and budgets deliver tangible improvements for vulnerable communities, among other issues.

Hon Chisangano is in Baku attending the 13^th World Urban Forum (WUF13), one of the world’s premier global conferences on sustainable urbanisation convened under the auspices of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.

The Zambian delegation includes Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr Gabriel Pollen, Permanent Secretary for Luapula Province, Ms Prudence Chinama, Zambia’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Mr Alfred Musemuna and other Government officials.