The meeting of the Presidential Commission, made up of FIG President Morinari Watanabe, secretary general André Gueisbuhler and the organisation's three vice-presidents - Russian businessman Vitaly Titov, Belarusian Nellie Kim and Luo Chaoyi of China, will kick-start a period of important gatherings for the FIG.

The ongoing row concerning parkour is likely to feature heavily throughout.

The Presidential Commission were mandated to continue pursuing using elements of the sport in a potential new discipline following the last meeting in Lausanne in February.

The worldwide governing body announced following the meeting that the FIG Executive Committee had been given a presentation on the development of obstacle course competitions, or parcours d'obstacles, and also parkour, which was exhibited at last year's Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer. 

Governing bodies within parkour have criticised the proposals, however, with Parkour UK accusing the FIG of "encroachment and misappropriation".

In an open letter to FIG, Parkour UK called for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which would "formally acknowledge the recognised sovereignty of parkour/freerunning".

The London-based organisation also threatened to take the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if an MoU was not established within 60 days of a formal meeting between Parkour UK and FIG.

The FIG have so far refused to comment on the issue but are likely to discuss the matter further in the Azerbaijani capital amid pressure from Parkour UK.

Gymnastics events at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo could also feature on the agenda.

Topics at the Presidential Commission meeting will then be put forward to the governing body's ruling Executive Committee, due to meet on Thursday (May 4) and Friday (May 5).

A two-day Council meeting is then due to be held on the following two days.

Prior to the series of meetings, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with Watanabe and Gueisbuhler today.

Aliyeva, President of Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, claimed she was pleased with how the sport has grown in the country.

"Now gymnastics attract great interest, in particular, a large number of girls want to engage in this sport and participate in competitions," she was quoted as saying by Azer News.

"This is a very great achievement, and we are proud of it."

The recent Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Baku was also discussed, while Watanabe, elected as Bruno Grandi's replacement as FIG President in October, praised the development of gymnastics in the country.

The Japanese received the an honorary doctorate from the Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Culture and Sport yesterday.