Briefing of The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

at at the High-Level Political Forum 2026
Remarks by Fariz Rzayev, Deputy Minister, Republic of Azerbaijan
13 July 2026

Madam Executive Secretary,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to join this briefing.

ESCAP remains one of the most inclusive and impactful regional platforms of the United Nations. It plays an important role in advancing sustainable development, strengthening regional connectivity, and promoting trade and economic cooperation across Asia and the Pacific.

Azerbaijan is pleased to contribute to this important work, particularly at a time when multilateralism and practical regional cooperation need to be further strengthened.

Azerbaijan highly appreciates the continued efforts of the ESCAP Secretariat, together with the UNECE Secretariat, to strengthen SPECA as a practical platform for regional cooperation and sustainable development.

As Chair of the 82nd session of ESCAP, Azerbaijan attaches particular importance to strengthening synergies between ESCAP, SPECA and the broader United Nations sustainable development agenda. In this regard, we are pleased to recall the successful holding of the 82nd session of ESCAP on 20–24 April in Bangkok, under the theme “Leaving no one behind: advancing a society for all ages”, as well as the adoption of the Baku-Bangkok Declaration.

We also commend the Kyrgyz Republic for its Chairmanship of SPECA in 2026. We highly appreciate the active and constructive role of brotherly Kyrgyzstan in promoting dialogue, practical cooperation and regional ownership within SPECA.

In the same warm spirit, allow me also to congratulate the Kyrgyz Republic on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term. This is an important achievement for the Kyrgyz Republic and for our wider region. We wish our Kyrgyz brothers and sisters every success in fulfilling this responsible mission.

For Azerbaijan, regional cooperation is a real driver of connectivity, resilience and inclusive growth. Through transport connectivity, trade facilitation, digitalization, energy cooperation, innovation and human capital development, SPECA can help participating countries move from dialogue to practical implementation.

We also see strong value in further strengthening the SPECA Multi-Partner Trust Fund as a practical mechanism for mobilizing resources and supporting concrete regional initiatives.

As Chair of the 82nd session of ESCAP, Azerbaijan will continue to pursue a constructive, balanced and results-oriented approach.

We stand ready to work closely with ESCAP, UNECE, the Kyrgyz Chairmanship of SPECA and all participating States to advance shared priorities and support meaningful outcomes for the peoples of our region.

Thank you.