Press Releases

The Law Society of Azerbaijan (LSA) proudly participated in the first Eastern Partnership Civil Society Summit, held in Vienna from 19–21 November 2024. Bringing together over 250 civil society actors and EU decision-makers, the summit created a vital platform for discussing the future of multilateral cooperation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region. It followed the legacy of 15 Annual Assemblies and marked a new chapter in civil society’s engagement in EU-EaP dialogue.

The summit took place at a critical time, as democratic setbacks, shrinking civic space, and geopolitical instability continue to challenge civil society across the region. Key discussions focused on strengthening rule of law, fostering regional resilience, and exploring synergies between the EaP framework and the EU enlargement agenda. LSA engaged actively in the panels and dialogues, highlighting the barriers faced by NGOs in Azerbaijan and advocating for inclusive, rights-based reforms across the South Caucasus.

LSA’s contribution emphasized the importance of supporting independent civil society in restrictive environments and ensuring its meaningful participation in regional processes. The summit reinforced the role of civil society as a driver of democratic development and accountability and opened up new avenues for collaboration with partners across Europe and the EaP region. We thank the organizers for hosting this timely and impactful event.

The Law Society of Azerbaijan (LSA) proudly participated in the first Eastern Partnership Civil Society Summit, held in Vienna from 19–21 November 2024. Bringing together over 250 civil society actors and EU decision-makers, the summit created a vital platform for discussing the future of multilateral cooperation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region. It followed the legacy of 15 Annual Assemblies and marked a new chapter in civil society’s engagement in EU-EaP dialogue.

The summit took place at a critical time, as democratic setbacks, shrinking civic space, and geopolitical instability continue to challenge civil society across the region. Key discussions focused on strengthening rule of law, fostering regional resilience, and exploring synergies between the EaP framework and the EU enlargement agenda. LSA engaged actively in the panels and dialogues, highlighting the barriers faced by NGOs in Azerbaijan and advocating for inclusive, rights-based reforms across the South Caucasus.

LSA’s contribution emphasized the importance of supporting independent civil society in restrictive environments and ensuring its meaningful participation in regional processes. The summit reinforced the role of civil society as a driver of democratic development and accountability and opened up new avenues for collaboration with partners across Europe and the EaP region. We thank the organizers for hosting this timely and impactful event.

From February 5–7, 2025, in Manila, Philippines, the Law Society of Azerbaijan (LSA) attended the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting as a key civil society partner. This high-level convening brought together government representatives, civil society leaders, and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific region to exchange experiences and advance open government initiatives

At the OGP Global Summit, the session titled “Civic Space: Strategies to Protect and Expand Civic Space and Civil Society” brought together civil society leaders, experts, and policymakers to discuss regional and global challenges to civic freedoms. Held on February 6, the panel emphasized how the Open Government Partnership (OGP) can serve as a critical tool for protecting civil society, especially in environments where freedom of association and expression are under pressure. Speakers, including Ziya Guliyev from the Law Society of Azerbaijan—shared case studies from Georgia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Azerbaijan, highlighting legal reforms, coalition building, and regional solidarity as key strategies. The conversation reaffirmed that meaningful civil society participation is essential to open governance and democratic resilience.

The following day’s session, “Deepening Partnerships Between Civil Society and Development Partners, Using the OGP Platform,” focused on enhancing cooperation between civil society, international donors, and governments to safeguard civic space and strengthen inclusive governance. Participants explored how multi-stakeholder engagement in OGP processes can help ensure transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in development efforts. Lessons from Mongolia, the Philippines, and global financial institutions underscored the need for consistent policy frameworks and joint action to counter restrictive legislation and maintain a safe operating environment for NGOs. Both panels reinforced the importance of global cooperation and shared responsibility in defending civic space under threat.