Statement at the General Debate of the 59th session

of the Commission on Population and Development

Delivered by Mr. Shahriyar Hajiyev, First Secretary

Conference Room 4, UNHQ, 14 April 2026

Mr. Chair,

States bear the primary responsibility for advancing the quality of life of their populations. In my country, the provision of an adequate standard of living is enshrined as the highest-priority objective in the Constitution.

The Programme of Action adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development, together with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Pact for the Future, and the Doha Political Declaration of the World Summit for Social Development, constitute global normative frameworks. Through their effective implementation, States and the international community can create better conditions to address population and development challenges.

Mr. Chair,

The main objective of Azerbaijan’s demographic policy is to eliminate negative trends and ensure the quantitative and qualitative growth of the population in line with the country’s long-term development strategy. The “Demographic Development Concept” and the “State Programme in the Field of Demography and Population” provide the implementation frameworks for the competent state authorities.

The core principles and objectives guiding our demographic policy are respect for universally recognized human rights and freedoms and non‑discrimination; stability and long‑term planning; social justice; a comprehensive approach; evidence‑based policymaking; gender equality; environmentally sustainable and stable economic development; and the needs of both current and future generations.

Mr. Chair,

As noted in the Secretary‑General’s report, advances in technology and research have been instrumental in addressing demographic and related health challenges. However, variations in stages of development among States have yielded uneven results. Thus, the report highlights that countries and the international community must not lose sight of the gaps that remain in basic technological needs, which require close international cooperation.

In conclusion, Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitment to implementing measures in the field of population and development in line with the Programme of Action, including optimizing the birth rate, protecting motherhood and childhood, supporting young families and marriage, improving women’s working and living conditions, strengthening public health and increasing life expectancy, caring for the elderly, regulating migration processes and investing in personnel training and scientific research in demography and population studies.

Thank you.