JEYHUN BAYRAMOV, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, said that a reinvigorated and reformed multilateral system with the UN at its core must be underpinned by the non-selective application of universally accepted norms and principles of international law.  Recalling that the Summit of the Future was a renewal of Member States’ common commitment to international law, the Charter, multilateralism and international cooperation and the Pact a blueprint for building a better, more sustainable and prosperous world for everyone, he stressed:  “It is time for our collective commitments to turn into real and decisive action.”  

As host of the twenty-ninth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November 2024, Azerbaijan will work to foster a collaborative spirit to tackle climate challenges as a common commitment and moral duty, he said, noting that the Conference’s primary expectation is agreement on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance.  “This will be the first major climate finance goal after adopting the Paris Agreement, and we have been working tirelessly to support the parties in landing a deal,” he added.  More so, COP29 will also be an opportunity to set differences aside and contribute to global peace and the climate agenda.  To that end, Azerbaijan introduced a flagship COP29 Truce Initiative, embedded in the Joint Solemn Appeal announced a few days ago.  The end of armed conflict with Armenia and the restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity has created a substantially new environment in the South Caucasus. “For the first time since decades, stability has been achieved on the ground, de facto peace is established,” he said.

Along with the inter-State process of normalization, Azerbaijan has internally embarked on widespread post-conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, he reported.  This aims to ensure the rights of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis to eventually exercise their violated right to safe and dignified returns to their homes.  Yet the massive contamination of Azerbaijan territory with landmines and other explosive devices remains a significant obstacle.  Since the end of the conflict in 2020, 377 individuals, including civilians, have fallen victim to landmines.  With this in mind, Azerbaijan has introduced a national goal, SDG-18, focusing on mine action.  Reaffirming Azerbaijan’s commitment to international peace and security and investing in international solidarity and cooperation, he stated:  “We remain to be a strong proponent of combined efforts to overcome challenges and pave the way for a brighter future for ourselves and the generations to come.”