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

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations

at the General Discussion of the 2026 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment

ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ, 19 June 2026
 

Mr. Vice President,

The Humanitarian Affairs Segment serves as an important platform for advancing dialogue on United Nations humanitarian action. It provides a valuable opportunity for Member States and other stakeholders to exchange views and identify effective responses to current and emerging humanitarian challenges. Natural and human-induced disasters, including armed conflicts, violence, climate change, disease outbreaks, and poverty, continue to generate immense humanitarian needs across the globe.

According to the Global Humanitarian Overview 2026 prepared by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 240 million people worldwide are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. This alarming figure underscores the urgent necessity of strengthened international solidarity, enhanced cooperation, and collective action.

Mr. Vice President,

Azerbaijan actively contributes to global humanitarian efforts through its cooperation with OCHA and through bilateral assistance provided by its governmental institutions. Since regaining its independence, Azerbaijan has successfully transformed from a recipient of humanitarian aid into a donor country, extending assistance to populations affected by crises and disasters in various parts of the world.

At the same time, Azerbaijan continues to confront significant humanitarian challenges resulting from the devastating legacy of the past conflict on its territory. These include approximately 300,000 Azerbaijani refugees from Armenia, over 700,000 internally displaced persons from the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the widespread destruction left behind in those territories, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the fate and whereabouts of over 4,000 missing persons.

Azerbaijan has launched an unprecedented programme of rehabilitation and reconstruction, allocating approximately USD 15 billion to rebuild cities, towns, and villages destroyed during the conflict. As a result of the measures implemented under the Great Return Programme, more than 85,000 people have already returned to their homes in newly reconstructed communities.

However, these efforts continue to be severely hindered by the extensive presence of landmines and other explosive remnants of war across more than 13 per cent of Azerbaijan’s territory. The number of post-conflict mine victims in Azerbaijan has risen to 427, including 73 fatalities and 354 persons who sustained serious injuries, the overwhelming majority of whom are civilians.

Recognizing the scale and severity of this challenge, Azerbaijan has declared humanitarian demining as its 18th National Sustainable Development Goal. The magnitude of the landmine threat requires enhanced accountability, stronger international solidarity and partnerships, as well as increased support for national demining capacities and efforts. Such collective action is indispensable for facilitating safe return, accelerating recovery and reconstruction, restoring essential infrastructure and services, mitigating the long-term humanitarian consequences of explosive contamination, and preventing further loss of life and injury.

In conclusion, Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitment to international efforts aimed at delivering effective, timely, and principled humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations and relevant internationally agreed frameworks. We remain convinced that strengthened multilateral cooperation and solidarity are essential to addressing humanitarian needs and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Thank you.