BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 20. 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, said President Ilham Aliyev in his address to the participants of the
Eighty-second session of the United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Trend reports.
The head of state noted that 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," President Ilham Aliyev added.
