BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 20. 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,
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.


"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," the address notes.