Informal Meeting of the General Assembly

“Taking Stock of the Pact for the Future”

Ministerial Roundtable One: “Delivering for People and Planet”

Remarks by Fariz Rzayev, Deputy Minister, Republic of Azerbaijan

14 July 2026 | 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters

Excellencies,
Distinguished colleagues,

At the Summit of the Future, we agreed that the value of multilateralism will be measured by results.

Azerbaijan views the Pact for the Future in this practical spirit.

It should be an implementation agenda that reinforces the 2030 Agenda and helps countries deliver concrete outcomes.

For Azerbaijan, delivery starts with national ownership. There can be no single model imposed on all countries. Each state must pursue development according to its national circumstances, priorities and capacities.

Today, Azerbaijan is advancing a development model based on economic diversification, technological modernization, green growth and social inclusion. The Sustainable Development Goals are integrated into our national strategies, and Azerbaijan intends to present its next Voluntary National Review in 2027.

On water, Azerbaijan treats water security as a matter of national resilience. At the global level, let me recall the Baku Dialogue launched in the context of COP29, through which we placed water higher on the international climate agenda.

On energy, our position is realistic and clear. The world needs energy security and green transition at the same time. Azerbaijan has long been a reliable energy partner. At the same time, we are investing in renewable energy, green energy zones, Caspian wind and solar potential, and interconnectors that can carry clean electricity from the Caspian region to wider markets. Our objective is a practical and sustainable transition.

On infrastructure and sustainable cities, Azerbaijan’s experience is visible in the reconstruction of our liberated territories. We are rebuilding cities and villages from the ground up: roads, railways, airports, power lines, schools, hospitals, smart villages and smart cities. These territories are being developed as green energy and net-zero emission zones. For us, this is a model of sustainable post-conflict recovery.

As host of World Urban Forum 13, Azerbaijan is contributing to the global urban agenda.

Finally, no country can deliver the Pact alone. COP-29 in Baku demonstrated that even in complex geopolitical conditions, negotiated results are possible when there is political will. But developing countries need finance that is predictable, accessible and affordable; technology transfer that is practical; and multilateral institutions that treat countries as equal partners.

The Pact for the Future should be judged by what it changes on the ground. Azerbaijan will continue to act as a bridge-builder between regions, a reliable partner in energy and connectivity, and a supporter of practical multilateralism.

Our message is simple: development and cooperation must reinforce each other.

Only then can we deliver for people, planet and future generations.

Thank you.