President Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the 82nd session of the UN ESCAP

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).

This was reported by Azertaj.

The address of the head of state reads:

" - Dear Under-Secretary-General,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to express my sincere gratitude 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 influential regional platforms of the United Nations, playing a vital role in advancing sustainable development, promoting regional transport connectivity, trade and economic cooperation. We are pleased to contribute to this important work, especially at a time when the multilateral approach needs to be strengthened.

Our meeting takes place during a period of heightened global uncertainty. The escalation of geopolitical tensions and conflicts continues to underscore the fragility of international peace and security, as well as the vulnerability of development gains accumulated over decades. In this context, Azerbaijan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Since my first address to this esteemed assembly in 2021, the South Caucasus has undergone profound transformations. Azerbaijan has fully restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity and initiated a peace agenda with Armenia. At the summit in Washington last August, organized by President of the United States of America Donald Trump, historic progress was achieved in the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Today we are witnessing the benefits of this peace. Trade relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia have been launched, and Azerbaijan is currently facilitating transit access for Armenia. Mutual visits by civil society representatives are helping to build confidence.

At the same time, Azerbaijan is implementing unique and large-scale reconstruction projects in the liberated territories that were completely destroyed during the occupation. The "Great Return" program is being successfully implemented. More than 80,000 people have returned to the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions – to rebuild their lives, reconnect with their homeland, study and work. However, landmines remain a serious humanitarian problem and an obstacle to development – a problem that also affects several countries in the ESCAP region and requires strengthened international cooperation. Since the end of the conflict in 2020, more than 400 Azerbaijani civilians have been killed or injured as a result of landmine explosions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Azerbaijan continues to strive for inclusive and sustainable development. Over the past two decades, our economy has grown nearly fourfold, while poverty and unemployment rates have decreased to approximately 5 percent. Significant investments in social protection and infrastructure have improved the well-being of our population, which now exceeds 10 million people.

Azerbaijan has also made great strides in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, integrating the 2030 Agenda into national development strategies, achieving progress in poverty reduction, education and healthcare development, and regularly presenting Voluntary National Reviews, reflecting our firm commitment to the principle of "leaving no one behind."

Furthermore, Azerbaijan is strengthening its role as a key transport hub. In the current geopolitical conditions, the significance of the Middle Corridor is growing. The Zangezur corridor will further strengthen regional transport connectivity, linking Asia and Europe and contributing to the expansion of transport, energy and digital networks, which is fully aligned with ESCAP's priorities.

Azerbaijan continues to play a reliable role in ensuring energy security, contributing to stable and diversified energy supplies across various regions.

The end of the conflict has also created new opportunities for expanding Azerbaijan's international engagement. Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), its accession to the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, its admission to the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, as well as 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 next month Azerbaijan will host the 13th session of the World Urban Forum. As a country engaged in large-scale reconstruction and sustainable urban development, we look forward to sharing our experience and benefiting from the world's best practices. I wholeheartedly invite all of you to participate in the 13th session of the World Urban Forum.

I wish this session every success. Thank you."