Azerbaijan
1
Statement by H.E. Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the United Nations Summit for the
Adoption of Post-2015 Development Agenda
New York, September 26, 2015
Mr. President,
At the outset, I would like to congratulate Mr. Mogens Lykketoft on his election
to the presidency of the Assembly at its seventieth session. I would also like to
express our appreciation to Mr. Sam Kutesa for his commitment and
dedication.
It is one of the historic moments as we have gathered to take a decision on
the adoption of a comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centered set of
universal and transformative goals. I commend the successful conclusion of
the negotiations on the post-2015 Development Agenda.
As one of the fastest growing economies, Azerbaijan has achieved impressive
results in the field of development. Despite global economic and financial
crises, in the first half of 2015 Azerbaijan registered economic growth of 5.7%,
the growth in the non-oil sector was 9.2%. Azerbaijan has managed to
become one of crucial players of the global market in energy infrastructure
projects such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Southern Gas
Corridor. Azerbaijan also has initiated strategic transport infrastructure
projects, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project and the new Baku
International Sea Trade Port.
With a view to delivering equitable and efficient services to the citizens, the
State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations was established in
Azerbaijan. This Agency already covers most of the goals of a new
sustainable development agenda adopted by our Summit yesterday. Success
of this innovative model is widely recognized and was awarded with the
United Nations Public Service Award 2015.
The commitment to contribute to international development is widely shared
across our public. The leading non-governmental organization in Azerbaijan,
the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, has implemented numerous social,
humanitarian and development projects in a number of countries.
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We attach primary importance to the promotion of intercultural dialogue,
tolerance and understanding among peoples. Azerbaijan is going to host the
7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in 2016. We
are proud that the First European Games was held this year in Azerbaijan,
and that in 2017 Azerbaijan will host the Islamic Solidarity Games.
Regretfully, the challenges to peace and security were and are one of the
impediments to the development and cooperation. The ongoing military
occupation by neighbouring Armenia of almost 20% of the territories of
Azerbaijan, in blatant violation of international law and the relevant resolutions
of the UN Security Council, continues to represent a serious threat to
international peace and security. By impudently violating basic conventional
human rights, Armenia carried out ethnic cleansing policy against almost one
million Azerbaijani population in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and in
Armenia itself. As a result they became refugees and internally displaced.
Putting an end to the occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan and ensuring
the return of the forcibly displaced people to their homes, is an essential
precondition to the implementation of sustainable development agendas in our
region.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that Azerbaijan is committed to
sustainable development and international efforts undertaken towards that
end.
Thank you.
Statement by H.E. Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Azerbaijan at the United Nations Summit for the
Adoption of Post-2015 Development Agenda
New York, September 26, 2015
Mr. President,
At the outset, I would like to congratulate Mr. Mogens Lykketoft on his election
to the presidency of the Assembly at its seventieth session. I would also like to
express our appreciation to Mr. Sam Kutesa for his commitment and
dedication.
It is one of the historic moments as we have gathered to take a decision on
the adoption of a comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centered set of
universal and transformative goals. I commend the successful conclusion of
the negotiations on the post-2015 Development Agenda.
As one of the fastest growing economies, Azerbaijan has achieved impressive
results in the field of development. Despite global economic and financial
crises, in the first half of 2015 Azerbaijan registered economic growth of 5.7%,
the growth in the non-oil sector was 9.2%. Azerbaijan has managed to
become one of crucial players of the global market in energy infrastructure
projects such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Southern Gas
Corridor. Azerbaijan also has initiated strategic transport infrastructure
projects, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project and the new Baku
International Sea Trade Port.
With a view to delivering equitable and efficient services to the citizens, the
State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations was established in
Azerbaijan. This Agency already covers most of the goals of a new
sustainable development agenda adopted by our Summit yesterday. Success
of this innovative model is widely recognized and was awarded with the
United Nations Public Service Award 2015.
The commitment to contribute to international development is widely shared
across our public. The leading non-governmental organization in Azerbaijan,
the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, has implemented numerous social,
humanitarian and development projects in a number of countries.
2
We attach primary importance to the promotion of intercultural dialogue,
tolerance and understanding among peoples. Azerbaijan is going to host the
7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in 2016. We
are proud that the First European Games was held this year in Azerbaijan,
and that in 2017 Azerbaijan will host the Islamic Solidarity Games.
Regretfully, the challenges to peace and security were and are one of the
impediments to the development and cooperation. The ongoing military
occupation by neighbouring Armenia of almost 20% of the territories of
Azerbaijan, in blatant violation of international law and the relevant resolutions
of the UN Security Council, continues to represent a serious threat to
international peace and security. By impudently violating basic conventional
human rights, Armenia carried out ethnic cleansing policy against almost one
million Azerbaijani population in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and in
Armenia itself. As a result they became refugees and internally displaced.
Putting an end to the occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan and ensuring
the return of the forcibly displaced people to their homes, is an essential
precondition to the implementation of sustainable development agendas in our
region.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that Azerbaijan is committed to
sustainable development and international efforts undertaken towards that
end.
Thank you.
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