The meeting seeks to address how the full implementation of the rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression can be advanced and secured in order to promote the development of an inclusive and diverse society as well as long-term security.

It will identify the challenges faced by governments throughout the OSCE region in ensuring that all citizens have an equal opportunity to express their opinions and interests, either collectively or individually.

It will focus on the ways to overcome obstacles to the implementation of these rights and seek to explore how in a continually evolving society, participating States can benefit from the full implementation of these rights to engage in a meaningful dialogue with civil society.

Representatives from the OSCE participating States, OSCE Institutions, and OSCE field operations, representatives of international governmental organizations, representative of non-governmental organizations and other civil society actors will participate in the meeting. A number of representatives from Azeri NGOs are also expected to attend the event, OSCE Head Office told APA.