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MP Nigar Mammadova: Cooperation in CIS provides an institutional basis

25 November 2025 19:47 (UTC +04:00)

Last week, the 4th International “Fashion Alliance” Forum was held in Saint Petersburg, APA reports.

Azerbaijan was represented at the forum by Members of Parliament Nigar Mammadova and Tamam Jafarova.

The main goal of the forum is to develop international professional dialogue and launch concrete business projects.

Representatives of the light industry and creative industry participating in the forum also held a meeting with the Chair of the Federation Council and Chair of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Council, Valentina Matviyenko. MP Nigar Mammadova conveyed the greetings of Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. She stated that cooperation within the CIS space provides a strong institutional framework that facilitates deeper integration of countries and the formation of a common space of stability, trust, and development. The MP also touched on the role of fashion in shaping the cultural and youth agenda of the CIS. She noted that fashion is one of the most influential tools of cultural diplomacy, soft power, and humanitarian cooperation.

As part of the forum, a meeting was also held between the Azerbaijani delegation and Dmitry Kobitsky, Secretary-General of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly. Nigar Mammadova emphasized that for more than thirty years, the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly has proven itself to be an effective mechanism for discussing current issues, implementing interstate programs, and developing model laws that contribute to harmonizing the national legislation of member countries.

The parties also discussed issues of cooperation within the Interparliamentary Assembly and prospects for the development of interparliamentary collaboration. The meeting was attended by Deputy Secretary-General of the Interparliamentary Assembly Council and Authorized Representative of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, Aydin Jafarov.

At the roundtable titled “State Support Measures in the Light Industry and Creative Industry Sectors in the CIS,” held within the 4th International “Fashion Alliance” Forum, representatives from CIS countries and business associations discussed ways to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the industry. The Azerbaijani representatives focused mainly on the support available for light industry and creative industry sectors in the country. Nigar Mammadova particularly highlighted cooperation with international partners, noting the significance of joint projects implemented by friendly Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan in the territories liberated from occupation. She also spoke about the impact of artificial intelligence and digitalization on the development of the fashion industry, describing AI as a tool that ensures inclusivity in the development of light industry.

At the plenary session titled “Fashion as a Space of Social Opportunities: Inclusion, Employment, and Humanitarian Cooperation,” Nigar Mammadova emphasized that creative industries are among the rare sectors where women become leaders and where people with disabilities gain new opportunities for work and creativity. She noted that the production of adaptive clothing improves quality of life and that parliaments can support such initiatives through accessibility standards, measures to support manufacturers, and educational programs.

Nigar Mammadova noted that creative industries are one of the few areas where women lead, create brands, and become entrepreneurs; where young people find broad opportunities for self-expression; and where persons with disabilities integrate into work, art, and society, with flexible work models strengthening social inclusion: “This is not only about the economy. It is about social mobility, new opportunities, and real inclusion.”

The MP also touched upon the role of fashion in building an inclusive society. She stated that inclusive fashion is not a trend but a sign of societal maturity: “When a person with a disability is able to obtain comfortable, functional, and aesthetic clothing, this means an improvement in quality of life. This is not just about fashion. It is about dignity, the right to equality, and the feeling of being part of society.”

Emphasizing the role of parliaments in humanitarian cooperation within the CIS space, the MP said that supporting producers who create socially oriented collections, establishing standards for quality and accessibility, and creating educational opportunities for young people and persons with disabilities are essential, and that the supreme legislative bodies play an important role in strengthening humanitarian cooperation among CIS countries.