Remarks by H.E. Mr. Tofig F. Musayev

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations

at the Security Council Arria-formula Meeting on “Bridging the Implementation Gap: Security Council Resolutions and the Maintenance of International Peace and Security”

 23 June 2026

At the outset, I would like to thank the Permanent Missions of China and Pakistan for convening this important discussion.

As the concept note rightly underscores, the full, faithful, timely and non-selective implementation of Security Council resolutions is indispensable for the effective maintenance of international peace and security and for preserving the credibility and authority of the Council itself. Failure to implement Council decisions erodes confidence in multilateralism, undermines respect for international law, and hampers efforts aimed at conflict prevention and resolution.

Azerbaijan's own painful experience offers a sobering illustration of these challenges.

The international community failed to prevent and suppress the aggression against my country and the resulting occupation and devastation of its territories. Despite condemning the use of force and demanding the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the occupying forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884, unanimously adopted in 1993, remained unimplemented for almost three decades.

The non-implementation of these resolutions, rooted in selectivity and double standards and coupled with impunity for non-compliance, created conditions conducive to the protraction of the conflict and further aggravated its political, military, humanitarian and economic consequences.

This case clearly exposed deep systemic deficiencies that entrenched an unlawful situation, prolonged human suffering and undermined prospects for sustainable peace and regional cooperation.

Between 2020 and 2023, Azerbaijan itself ensured the implementation of the Security Council resolutions by ending the occupation, restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and laying the foundation for advancing a comprehensive peace agenda in the region.

With regard to the question raised in the concept note on how the Council can better ensure the implementation of its resolutions, first and foremost, greater efforts are required to counter selective approaches to and misinterpretation of resolutions and international law, strengthen accountability for non-compliance, and maintain sustained attention to situations characterized by prolonged non-implementation.

Furthermore, regional arrangements cannot be imposed upon the parties concerned, nor should they monopolize all conflict-related processes or arbitrarily interpret international law and Security Council resolutions. They may, however, play an important supportive role, provided that their engagement remains fully consistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter, the relevant Security Council resolutions, and the universally accepted principles of effective mediation.

Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitment to promoting peace and strengthening a multilateral system that is more effective, credible and capable of delivering on its promises.

Thank you.