Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, representatives of governmental bodies, NGOs, and international organizations, prominent international experts, including representatives of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and the Association for the Prevention of Torture, and media representatives. Commissioner E.Suleymanova delivering a report on “The First Year of the NPM’s Functioning in Azerbaijan: Achievements, Problems, Perspectives”, gave brief information to the conference participants on the works implemented within a short period of time since the designation of the institution as an NPM, gained achievements, as well as existing difficulties. At the event A.Huseynov, Chair of the Legal Policy and State Building Committee of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Ambassador B.Cankorel, Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, delivering speeches, noted that the protection of human rights and freedoms was one of the key responsibilities of every state, Azerbaijan had done crucial work in this field and the process was in progress, as well as the Commissioner had organized her activities at a high level and effectively, and they found it important to cooperate with her. At the first session on “International and National Mechanisms on Prevention of Torture” of the Conference that continued its work in sessions Commissioner E.Suleymanova, L.Huseynov, member of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Department Head in the Office of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Z.Lasosik, member of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, M.Pringl, representative of the Association for the Prevention of Torture reported on the functioning of the NPM in Azerbaijan, role of the relevant international bodies in the prevention of torture, brief summary of the NPM principles, collaboration among relevant bodies at international, regional and local levels, and joint visits. At the second session on “Strengthening the Potential of the NPM in Azerbaijan – Legal Framework, Involvement of Civil Society, Preparation of Reports and Recommendations and Constant Control” E.Steinerte, Professor of the University of Bristol, M.Pringl, representative of the Association for the Prevention of Torture, R.T.Samadov, member of the NPM Group, delivered reports on the summary of obligations under the OPCAT, positive practices of other countries, and improvement of the national legislation on the NPM. 97