September 28, 2024
“Leaving No One Behind: Working Together to Promote Peace, Sustainable Development and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations”
Mr. President,
Mr. Secretary General,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I congratulate His Excellency Mr. Philemon Young on his inauguration as President of the 79th session of the General Assembly and thank His Excellency Mr. Dennis Francis, who is concluding his term of office, for his exceptional efforts in presiding over the previous session.
I would also like to thank His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for his continued efforts to achieve the noble goals of the United Nations.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The world continues to grapple with a wide range of challenges that no single country can tackle alone. The deepening global climate crisis, growing inequalities, emerging divisions and heightened tensions affect each of us, regardless of circumstance or location. Now is the time to demonstrate that multilateralism works without leaving anyone behind and that it can speak with one voice.
The current situation of international politics is characterized by conflict due to non-observance and misinterpretation of universally accepted fundamental norms and principles of international law.
In light of the continued erosion of multilateralism, it is critical that the United Nations continue to strengthen international solidarity and cooperation.
The principles and objectives of the UN Charter constitute the main normative framework of international relations and should be applied consistently, without a selective approach.
It is the mandate of the UN to ensure that every country has an equal voice and is treated on an equal basis.
From this point of view, Azerbaijan is a supporter of the revived and reformed multilateral system based on the strict observance and non-discrimination of the universally accepted norms and principles of international law, with the UN at its center.
Urgent progress on UN Security Council reforms is needed, building on the work done and achievements achieved in a spirit of honesty and flexibility, constructiveness and cooperation.
We see the important event of the “Future Summit” held a week ago as a renewal of our joint commitment to international law, the UN Charter, multilateralism and international cooperation. The Pact for the Future, its agreed outcomes, is a blueprint for building a better, sustainable and prosperous world for all.
It is time to translate our collective commitments into real and determined action.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The global climate crisis threatens decades of progress, threatens humanity’s future and disproportionately affects vulnerable countries. Growing disagreements in international relations should not distract us from a reality such as climate change, which is the biggest transnational problem of the century.
The work done so far is not enough to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. For the sake of the future, the time has come for urgent, concerted and sustained efforts to realize our commitments to the global vision for sustainable development.
In November 2024, Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). Guided by the “Solidarity for a Green World” call, Azerbaijan will spare no effort to bring together both developed and developing countries, to strengthen the spirit of cooperation in order to solve climate challenges as a joint commitment and moral duty.
The confidence given to us to host and chair COP29 this year confirms that Azerbaijan’s readiness to lead the climate agenda and contribute to global climate action is recognized and accepted by the international community. and reaffirms its commitment to implement it based on a parties-oriented approach.
This year, we presented our vision based on two parallel pillars that serve to expand ambition and increase action, led by climate finance. These pillars are mutually reinforcing, with progress on one pillar sending a strong signal of support to the other.
Our main expectation as the COP29 presidency is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal for climate finance. This will be the first major climate finance target since the Paris Agreement, and we are working tirelessly to support the parties to reach an agreement.
The COP29 presidency has clearly stated that the agreement of a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal, adequate to the urgency and scale of the problem, taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries, is the ultimate test of the Parties’ commitment to the Paris Agreement and climate action in the coming years.
We must continue to work constructively on the New Collective Quantitative Goal and guide the process to a successful outcome at COP29.
The COP29 presidency is also working with Parties to achieve an outcome on carbon markets this year. Fully functioning carbon markets will be an important step in the effective implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions and strengthening ambitions for mitigation.
In addition, we will discuss the link between climate action and sustainable development goals, green energy zones and corridors, conservation of energy resources, harmony of climate sustainability, agriculture, clean hydrogen and methane reduction in organic waste, green digital action, etc. We have put forward 14 initiatives covering topics.
One of the initiatives in the COP29 Action Agenda is the creation of a Climate Finance Action Fund, which is expected to be voluntarily supported by fuel-producing countries and companies as an innovative source for climate finance.
COP29 will also be an opportunity to put aside differences and contribute to the global peace and climate agenda. A few days ago, Azerbaijan announced the flagship initiative Joint Ceasefire Call for COP29, considering the connection between conflicts and issues such as the worsening climate crisis.
More than a thousand non-governmental organizations, religious leaders and eminent personalities and many parties have already joined the call. We call on everyone during COP29 to transcend political differences, stand in solidarity and respect the Ceasefire.
Your Excellencies,
Azerbaijan has always been at the forefront of promoting international peace and security, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, contributing to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and strengthening global solidarity and multilateralism.
Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement in 2019-2023 was accompanied by the growing role of the Movement and its increasing contribution to the spirit of cooperation in international relations. At a time when multilateralism is being eroded, under the visionary leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, decisive steps have been taken to strengthen international solidarity and promote collective solutions to global challenges.
Guided by the noble call of “leaving no one behind”, Azerbaijan continues to support developing countries in need. Since 2020, we have provided humanitarian, economic and technical support to more than 140 countries worth $330 million.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Halfway through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we are witnessing stagnation in the implementation of this agenda. With only 17% of the SDGs currently implemented, we need urgent and accelerated progress.
We are taking necessary steps to implement the SDGs at the national level and thereby setting an example for others. We have fully covered the SDGs at the national level by prioritizing 17 goals, 88 targets and 119 indicators. This was achieved through a collaborative and inclusive process involving civil society, the business community, youth and other key stakeholders.
Azerbaijan’s GDP has increased four times in less than two decades. Poverty has dropped from 49% to 5%. External public debt is expected to be at the lowest levels in the world, at around 7% of GDP in 2024.
A clean environment and green development are one of the five priority areas of our new national development strategy. Accordingly, Azerbaijan is looking for ways to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is working on a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) aligned to 1.5 Celsius. We joined the 2030 Global Methane Pledge a few months ago. We will also create green energy zones in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Azerbaijan will continue to play an important role in global energy security by contributing to sustainable development, poverty eradication and the transition of millions of people to clean energy in the region and beyond. By 2030, the share of renewable energy in the total electricity capacity in Azerbaijan will reach 30%. The purpose of setting such a high goal is primarily to increase energy efficiency and apply innovative solutions in the urban environment, transport systems and industry.
The projected growth of renewable electricity generation in the coming years will allow Azerbaijan to become a green electricity exporter to European countries through a landmark transregional project such as the Black Sea Undersea Cable Project.
Mr. President,
Against the backdrop of increasing challenges, it is imperative to come together in unity and solidarity, to strengthen dialogue and mutual understanding.
Azerbaijan, which has centuries-old traditions of diversity and multiculturalism, is firmly committed to the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, mutual understanding and respect between different cultures and religions. Azerbaijan pays special attention to promoting a culture of peace and encouraging intercultural and interreligious dialogue throughout the world, including through its Baku Process and Peace4Culture initiatives.
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The end of the armed conflict with Armenia and the restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity have created completely new conditions in the South Caucasus. For the first time in decades, stability has been achieved in the region, de facto peace has been established.
By ending the military occupation, Azerbaijan is the party that created the conditions for both sides to finally leave the page of enmity behind and start friendly neighborly relations.
Azerbaijan started this process immediately after its victory in the 44-day Patriotic War. This proposal was made despite the unhealed wounds of the conflict in the form of razing dozens of cities, hundreds of towns and villages, destroying and insulting every piece of historical and cultural heritage, and brutally looting natural resources.
Azerbaijan has demonstrated political wisdom and will by offering peace to Armenia on equal terms, in accordance with the norms and principles of international law, on the basis of mutual recognition and respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Over the past year, Azerbaijan and Armenia have made significant progress in the process of normalization through direct bilateral negotiations, especially in the direction of the preparation of a bilateral agreement, delimitation and demarcation of the state border, as well as development of confidence-building measures.
Azerbaijan will continue to advance this process, acting with a strong sense of responsibility not only for its own national security and well-being, but for the better future of the entire region. Our commitment and determination to bring this process to its logical conclusion remains unchanged.
In order to complete the normalization process, Armenia should once and for all abandon its territorial claims against Azerbaijan at the legal level by implementing constitutional changes. Armenia’s dramatic increase in its military budget, its purchase of large quantities of offensive weapons from both traditional and new suppliers, and its attempts to maintain theses and structures based on the past conflict, along with its negligence in implementing constitutional changes, undermine the normalization process.
If the issue of recognition of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains in a legal void, as well as if it depends on internal legal or political scenarios, the establishment of peace and friendly neighborly relations cannot be stable and irreversible. After so much pain and suffering caused by irredentism and territorial claims against neighbors, an “incomplete peace” cannot be an option.
At this critical moment, Azerbaijan calls for urgent steps to be taken with a sense of full responsibility in order to remove the remaining obstacles to the completion of the normalization process.
In addition to the responsibility of Armenia to comply with the obligations arising from international law and the peace process, the entire international community also has the responsibility to encourage the parties to establish a real, sustainable and eternal peace. Achieving such a peace should be preferred to any dividends expected to be achieved by manipulating one side against the other or drawing dividing lines between them. Attempts to test the South Caucasus by inciting revanchism of the failed experiences that have caused suffering in other regions of the world should be stopped.
Your Excellencies,
Ensuring justice for serious war crimes and crimes against humanity is of paramount importance in healing the wounds of past conflict.
Ending impunity for perpetrators serves to ensure the rights and interests of victims and is also a key precondition for genuine post-conflict normalization and reconciliation.
In this regard, clarifying the fate of nearly 4,000 Azerbaijanis who disappeared as a result of the conflict is of great importance. Addressing this issue is important not only for accountability and the rights of victims and their families, but also for post-conflict reconciliation and normalization.
Nearly 300,000 Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia continue to be deprived of their ancestral homelands, in gross violation of international law. Despite the repeated calls of the West Azerbaijani Community to start a dialogue and ensure a safe and dignified return to their homeland, the Armenian government refuses to exercise their right to return, which is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Status of Refugees and other important international acts. does.
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
In addition to the process of interstate normalization, Azerbaijan has begun large-scale post-conflict reconstruction and reconstruction within the country. It aims to ensure the right of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis to exercise their violated rights, such as a safe and dignified return to their homes.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the government, life is returning to the areas that witnessed unprecedented destruction during the military occupation.
Unfortunately, massive contamination of Azerbaijani territories with mines and other explosive devices remains a serious obstacle to the smooth progress of restoration and reconstruction works. Since the end of the conflict in 2020, 377 people, including civilians, have been victims of landmines.
Taking this into account, Azerbaijan presented a national goal for mine action in MDG18.
Considering the magnitude of the problem, there is an urgent need to increase international support to strengthen Azerbaijan’s humanitarian demining capacity.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the countries and other interested parties who have generously contributed to the humanitarian demining work in Azerbaijan and reiterate our call for increased international support and solidarity.
Mr. President,
Ladies and gentlemen,
In conclusion, I would like to reaffirm Azerbaijan’s commitment to further contribute to international peace and security by promoting respect for international law and investing in international solidarity and cooperation.
We continue to be strong advocates of joint efforts to overcome challenges and pave the way for a brighter future for ourselves and the generations to come.
Thank you.