Remarks by Mr. Elvin Ashrafzade,

Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations

at the Exchange between the United Nations Resident Coordinators and Member States

3 December 2025

Excellencies,

Distinguished Resident Coordinators,

Let me start by thanking you for convening this important exchange.

The events organized yesterday and today have shed light on evolving realities, opportunities, and challenges faced by Resident Coordinators on the ground. It is encouraging to see that many Member States not only acknowledge the importance of the RC system but also actively support it, and Azerbaijan is one of them.

We believe that strengthened coordination across the UN system is essential for delivering effective, system-wide support toward accelerating the SDGs. In this spirit, Azerbaijan has streamlined its engagement at the country level while reinforcing cooperation through the Resident coordinator system. We consider empowered Resident Coordinators and integrated country teams to be the most effective model for providing coherent, focused, and results-oriented UN support aligned with national development priorities.

This year, as the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, Azerbaijan and the UN entered a renewed phase of partnership with the signing of a new Cooperation Framework for 2026-2030. We appreciate the work done by the Resident Coordinator, Ms. Vladanka Andreeva and her team for the successful completion of the previous Cooperation Framework.

The Cooperation Framework reflects on Azerbaijan’s status as an upper-middle-income country and recognizes its significant achievements. It also introduces a renewed model of collaboration – more agile, catalytic, and responsive to Azerbaijan’s evolving needs and priorities.

This evolving partnership is increasingly focused on addressing both emerging opportunities and new challenges, and will be guided by two strategic priorities: advancing inclusive socio-economic growth and human development, and promoting ecosystem protection, climate resilience, green growth, and a just transition.

This new phase of cooperation coincides with the period when Azerbaijan and the entire international community are advancing implementation of the SDGs and fulfilling the commitments under the Pact for the Future.

The linkage between the SDGs and national recovery is direct and tangible. Following the restoration of our territorial integrity and sovereignty, we have launched large-scale rehabilitation, reconstruction, and reintegration of the liberated regions. A central pillar of this process is humanitarian demining, given the scale of contamination. Mine clearance, land restoration, and the safe return of internally displaced persons address immediate humanitarian needs, contributing directly to progress across multiple SDGs.

Furthermore, the effective collaboration between the COP29 Presidency of Azerbaijan and the UN RC team enabled the successful delivery of key initiatives under the COP29 Action Agenda, reinforcing the importance of the RC system in supporting large-scale multilateral efforts.

Building on this success, Azerbaijan now looks ahead to hosting the 13th World Urban Forum in May 2026, including, for the first time, a Summit of Leaders, to further advance people-centered and climate-resilient urban development.

These are practical examples from our national experience of how the UN development system, led by Resident Coordinators, can deliver integrated, demand-driven, and results-oriented support aligned with country priorities.

Let me once again reaffirm Azerbaijan’s strong commitment to working closely with the UN Resident Coordinator.

Thank you.