Azərbaycan Respublikasının
BMT yanında
Daimi Nümayəndəliyi

Permanent Mission
of the Republic of Azerbaijan
to the United Nations

633 Third Avenue, Suite 3210, New York, N.Y. 10017
Tel.: (212) 371-2559; Fax: (212) 371-2784

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

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations

at the Fourth Committee of the eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly under agenda item 59: "Eradicating colonialism in all its forms and manifestations"

3 October 2025

Mr. Chair,

At the outset, I would like to congratulate you and other members of the Bureau on your election.

Mr. Chair, Azerbaijan has consistently advocated for the full realization of the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly on decolonization.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan has been actively involved in and has contributed to international discussions on decolonization.

During its 2019–2023 Chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan prioritized the issue of eradication of colonialism and placed particular emphasis on the strengthening of the Movement's collective voice in support of the urgency of decolonization.

In 2024 and earlier this year, Azerbaijan participated in the regional seminars organized by the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, held in Caracas and Dili, respectively.

In its written submission to the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 75/123, entitled “Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism” (A/80/80, pages 9-10), Azerbaijan emphasized its steadfast support for the decolonization efforts of the United Nations and called for the speeding up of this process towards the complete elimination of colonialism.

Mr. Chair, in the context of advancing socioeconomic development, it is essential to take all possible measures to ensure that the permanent sovereignty of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories over their natural resources is fully respected and safeguarded.

In recognizing the inalienable rights of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, the General Assembly has consistently reaffirmed the principle of permanent sovereignty over natural resources, as one of the indispensable prerequisites of the development, and also condemned the exploitation and plundering of natural resources and any economic activities which are detrimental to the interests of the peoples of those Territories and deprive them of their legitimate rights over their natural resources.

Furthermore, the General Assembly has consistently reaffirmed the value of foreign economic investment undertaken in collaboration with the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories and in accordance with their wishes in order to make a valid contribution to the socioeconomic development of the Territories, especially during times of economic and financial crisis.

It is also important that States, in line with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, including in particular resolution 79/114 of 4 December 2024 (“Implementation of the Declaration of the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”), directly and through their action in the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, provide moral and material assistance to the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories.

In this context, it is essential that donor countries, multilateral organizations and other development partners give utmost consideration to the needs of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, including by considering an increase in technical assistance for the development of infrastructure, industry, agriculture, health care and education, as provided in resolution 79/115 of 4 December 2024 (“Implementation of the Declaration of the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples: eradicating colonialism in all its forms and manifestations”).

Moreover, sustained attention should be given to the protection of the environment and ecological restoration in and the disproportionate impact of climate change on the Non-Self-Governing Territories. In his report on the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (A/80/80), the Secretary-General recognized the vulnerability of these Territories to climate change and advocated for adequate and sustainable resources and support to build resilience and invest in their future.

Further, with a view to supporting cultural development of the Non-Self-Governing Territories, it is important to redouble efforts to ensure the return or restitution of the illegally removed or stolen cultural objects to these Territories.

Mr. Chair, there is a need for increased attention and efforts to ensure the full compliance with international law, the advancement of the principle of self-determination, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and the effective implementation of the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly to achieve the total eradication of colonialism in all its forms.

I would like to reaffirm Azerbaijan’s resolve to continue its collaboration with the United Nations, Member States and other relevant stakeholders with a view to accelerated progress towards that end.

Thank you.