BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 18. President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of
Baku Ombudsmen Summit on “Human Rights in the Age of Artificial
Intelligence: Opportunities, Risks and Responsibilities.”
"Dear summit participants,
I extend my greetings to you on the occasion of the opening of
the International Baku Ombudsmen Summit on the theme of “Human
Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Risks
and Responsibilities.”
The holding of this Summit, dedicated to new global challenges
in the field of human rights, on June 18 – Human Rights Day in the
Republic of Azerbaijan – is of particular significance. This date
marks the day when the National Leader of the Republic of
Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, approved the country’s first State
Programme on the Protection of Human Rights and identified the
protection of human rights as one of the main priorities of state
policy.
Today, the rapid development of artificial intelligence
technologies is fundamentally transforming humanity’s social,
economic, legal, and ethical agenda. Alongside new opportunities,
this process is bringing new priorities to the forefront in all
areas, including the field of human rights.
Our country regards ensuring that technological progress serves
human welfare as one of the fundamental principles of state policy.
In this regard, Azerbaijan is taking significant steps toward the
responsible and balanced application of innovative technologies and
artificial intelligence. The legal acts, concepts, and action plans
adopted in this area promote the implementation of these
technologies within a framework based on security, transparency,
and respect for human rights, while supporting inclusive
development and accelerating digital transformation.
The initiatives being implemented as part of Azerbaijan’s new
digital architecture, the expansion of artificial intelligence
applications in public administration, and the development of
information security and national AI infrastructure demonstrate our
country’s strategic approach to contemporary challenges.
It should be particularly noted that the 13th session of the
United Nations World Urban Forum, recently held in Baku, became an
important demonstration of Azerbaijan’s contribution to
international cooperation and global dialogue on sustainable
development, digital governance, and the creation of human-centered
urban environments.
In this context, the “smart city” and “smart village” concepts
being implemented in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories represent a
successful development model in which artificial intelligence
technologies, innovative solutions, and principles of environmental
sustainability are directed toward improving human well-being,
creating a safe living environment, and ensuring socio-economic
reintegration.
These development trends also increase the importance of
institutional mechanisms and international cooperation in the field
of human rights protection. In this regard, national human rights
institutions, including the ombudsman institution, play an
important role in safeguarding human rights and freedoms and
promoting a culture of human rights in an age of new technological
challenges.
I am confident that the International Baku Ombudsmen Summit will
make a significant contribution to expanding international
cooperation and the exchange of best practices in this field, as
well as to promoting human-centered and law-based innovative
governance mechanisms.
Once again, I extend my greetings to you and wish the Summit
every success," the address reads.
