Strategic priorities for the future cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN discussed

With participation of over 150 representatives from the Government, UN Country Team, civil society, youth, academia, private sector, development partners and others, the participants had an interactive dialogue on the areas where the UN is best placed to contribute, in support of Azerbaijan’s national development priorities and accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The workshop opened with remarks from H.E. Mr. Samad Bashirli, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan.

Emphasizing Azerbaijan’s strong commitment to the SDGs, Mr. Bashirli stated that the country maintains close cooperation with the UN and actively supports global initiatives, with Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 bringing the relationship to a new level.

Noting the country’s readiness to cooperate for the successful implementation of the new Cooperation Framework, Mr. Rafiyev emphasized the importance of advancing the National SDG 18 on Mine Action for Azerbaijan’s sustainable development.

Appreciating the close collaboration and strong partnership with the Government and different stakeholders under the current Cooperation Framework (2021-2025) and in the context of COP29, Andreeva said: “The UN Country Team is here to support the Government and its people in Azerbaijan’s journey towards sustainable development.  The strategic priority areas that we will discuss today are not separate priorities for the UN but the UN’s contribution for Azerbaijan to achieve the SDGs, including National SDG 18 on Mine Action.” 

The full-day workshop concluded with a broad consensus on the strategic priority areas of cooperation, in support of Azerbaijan’s national development priorities and progress towards the SDGs through the collective promise to leave no one behind.