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International

economy and application of green technologies, “We believe the United Nations
protection of water resources and addressing
air pollution and environmental degradation, should still play a pivotal and positive
to name just a few. All these activities seek role in addressing these challenges
to contribute to the implementation of the
Sustainable Development Goals at both and in making the most of
national and regional levels. opportunities. “
Since October 2019, Azerbaijan has been
honoured to preside over the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM), the biggest political group
within the United Nations, comprising 120
Member States. The Permanent Mission of
Azerbaijan is mandated to coordinate work Movement, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, put forward
of the Geneva Chapter of the NAM in almost the initiative to convene a special session of
every domain of United Nations work and the United Nations General Assembly in
activities in Geneva. This is in addition to the response to COVID-19, an initiative that
burden of my normal duties as the Permanent enjoyed the support of some 140 United
Representative of Azerbaijan in Geneva. Nations Member States and was successfully
Nevertheless, we are doing our utmost to convened this December. This illustrates the
strengthen the role of the Movement within conviction on the part of the international
the United Nations system in Geneva under community that the United Nations remains
the valuable guidance and support from fellow the most appropriate multilateral platform
NAM Member States. for consolidated efforts to overcome various
challenges on the global agenda, including the
The United Nations recently celebrated its pandemic. In general, regarding the United
seventy-fifth anniversary. What has been the Nations, expectations are high, and this should
influence of the United Nations, and of the stimulate the United Nations and its Member
United Nations agencies in Geneva specifically, States to better adapt it to the realities of a
on the life of people in your country since its new century to effectively carry out its global
independence? mission.
Everybody agrees that, since it was established
75 years ago, the United Nations has made Azerbaijan is grateful for the multifaceted
an enormous positive contribution to support the United Nations and its Geneva-
maintaining international peace and security, based institutions have provided to
promoting cooperation among its Member Azerbaijan, particularly in the early stages
States and international development. At the following Azerbaijan’s independence after the
same time, all of us acknowledge that the collapse of the Soviet Union, when we had to
world has tremendously changed since that start basically from the scratch the building
time, bringing new challenges of a global of our society, all compounded with internal
and regional nature, but also opportunities. and external challenges that Azerbaijan was
We believe the United Nations should still confronted with during that period. During
play a pivotal and positive role in addressing the initial years, the United Nations’ support
these challenges and in making the most of was primarily focused on the immediate
opportunities. This is especially important needs of refugees and IDPs affected by
for the United Nations to prove its relevance the aggression by neighbouring Armenia
and effectiveness now when the world is against Azerbaijan. The United Nations
heavily engaged in combatting the COVID-19 was also helpful to Azerbaijan in realizing
pandemic with its unprecedented implications political and economic reforms to achieve the
for societies and communities. establishment of a pluralistic democracy based
on a vibrant market economy and the rule of
It is no accident that the President of law. In partnership with the United Nations
Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Non-Aligned family, Azerbaijan has achieved impressive

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