BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 20. President Ilham
Aliyev addressed the participants of the eighty-second session of
the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific,
Trend reports.
"Dear Under-Secretary-General,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the
Under-Secretary-General for the kind invitation to address the 82nd
session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), convened under the chairmanship of
Azerbaijan.
ESCAP remains one of the most inclusive and impactful regional
platforms of the United Nations, playing a vital role in advancing
sustainable development, facilitating regional connectivity, trade
and economic cooperation. We are pleased to contribute to this
important work, particularly at a time when multilateralism must be
strengthened.
We meet during the period of heightened global uncertainty.
Escalating geopolitical tensions and conflicts continue to
underscore the fragility of international peace and security, as
well as the vulnerability of development gains achieved over
decades. In this context, Azerbaijan reaffirms its unwavering
commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial
integrity of states.
Since 2021, when I first addressed this distinguished body, the
South Caucasus has undergone profound transformation. Azerbaijan
has fully restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity and
initiated a peace agenda with Armenia. At the Washington Summit
last August hosted by President Donald Trump of the United States
of America, historic progress was achieved in the normalization
between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Today, we are witnessing the dividends of peace. Trade relations
between Azerbaijan and Armenia have commenced, and Azerbaijan is
now facilitating transit access for Armenia. Reciprocal visits of
civil society representatives are contributing to
confidence-building.
At the same time, Azerbaijan is undertaking unique and
large-scale reconstruction projects in liberated territories
completely devastated under the occupation. The Great Return
Program is progressing well. Over 80,000 people have returned to
the Garabagh and East Zangezur regions — to rebuild their lives,
reunite with their homeland, to study, and to work. However,
landmines remain a serious humanitarian and development challenge —
one that also affects several countries across the ESCAP region and
calls for enhanced international cooperation. Since the end of the
conflict in 2020, more than 400 Azerbaijani civilians have been
killed or injured in landmine explosions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Azerbaijan continues to pursue inclusive and sustainable
development. Over the past two decades, our economy has grown
nearly fourfold, while poverty and unemployment have been reduced
to around 5 percent. Significant investments in social protection
and infrastructure have improved the well-being of our population,
which now exceeds 10 million.
Azerbaijan has also made great strides in the implementation of
the Sustainable Development Goals, integrating the 2030 Agenda into
national development strategies, advancing progress in poverty
reduction, education, healthcare, and regularly presenting
Voluntary National Reviews — reflecting our strong commitment to
leaving no one behind.
In addition, Azerbaijan is strengthening its role as a key
connectivity hub. In the current geopolitical environment, the
importance of the Middle Corridor is increasing. The Zangezur
Corridor will further enhance regional connectivity, linking Asia
and Europe and contributing to broader transport, energy, and
digital networks—fully aligned with ESCAP’s priorities.
Azerbaijan continues to play a reliable role as an energy
security provider, contributing to stable and diversified energy
supplies across regions.
The end of the conflict has also created new opportunities to
expand Azerbaijan’s international engagement. Azerbaijan’s
chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States and the
Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia,
its accession to the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, its
admission to the Consultative Meetings of Heads of State of Central
Asia, and the successful hosting of COP29 reflect the growing
confidence of the international community in Azerbaijan’s foreign
policy.
In conclusion, I am pleased to note that Azerbaijan will host
the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum next month. As a country
engaged in large-scale reconstruction and sustainable urban
development, we look forward to sharing our experience and drawing
on global best practices. I warmly invite all of you to participate
at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum.
I wish this session every success. Thank you," the address
says.
