Statement by Ms. Nigar Bayramli Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations at the Second Committee of the eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly under agenda Item 21
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Azərbaycan Respublikasının |
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Permanent Mission |
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Statement by Ms. Nigar Bayramli, Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations at the Second Committee of the eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly under agenda Item 21: “Groups of Countries in Special Situations”
8 October 2025
Chair,
My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Bolivia on behalf of the Landlocked Developing Countries and would like to make the following remarks in its national capacity.
Reliable and cost-effective transport corridors lie at the heart of sustainable development for landlocked developing countries. Recognizing this, Azerbaijan has made connectivity the backbone of its national development strategy.
Positioned strategically at the crossroads of North–South and East–West trade routes, we have invested heavily in modern, multimodal transport networks that shorten transit times and lower costs. The Trans-Caspian International Transit Corridor (known as the Middle Corridor) now serves as a key bridge between Asia and Europe, with cargo volumes increasing by nearly 90 percent since 2022. The biggest trade fleet in the Caspian, Alat International Trade Port, with its annual capacity reaching 25 million tons in the near future, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad, 9 international airports, the biggest air-cargo company in the region, and many other factors have turned Azerbaijan into one of the international transport and logistics hubs in Eurasia.
We are equally determined to extend this connectivity into the digital realm. Together with international partners, Azerbaijan is spearheading the ambitious Digital Silk Way project—an advanced fiber-optic cable network under the Caspian Sea that will connect Asia and Europe through a secure and resilient digital network.
Chair, regional integration is a strategic priority of the Awaza Programme of Action. In this context, the Transport Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), agreed in Washington, will ensure unimpeded access between the main part of Azerbaijan and its Nakhichevan region, enhancing the efficiency of the Middle Corridor and strengthening regional ties. We believe that his project will open new opportunities for trade, connectivity, and dialogue, contributing to greater stability and prosperity across the region. Climate change compounds the vulnerabilities of landlocked developing countries, which are highly dependent on climate-sensitive sectors. At COP29 in Baku last year, we achieved a historic breakthrough—the Baku Climate Unity Pact. The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage was fully operationalized, among other milestone decisions. For LLDCs, the outcomes of COP29 mean more access to finance and greater capacity for climate-resilient development. We reiterate our call for these funds to be adequately resourced so that new pledges to the Adaptation Fund and the Loss and Damage Fund can truly benefit the most vulnerable.
Chair, the launch of the Awaza Programme of Action together with the Awaza Conference mark a pivotal moment for landlocked developing countries by providing a clear vision and direction for the years ahead. It is now our shared responsibility to build on this momentum and transform commitments into meaningful actions that address the unique structural challenges of LLDCs. Azerbaijan stands ready to share its experience and work with all partners to ensure that global commitments, on transport, digitalization, and climate are translated into tangible progress for the people living in the world’s landlocked regions.
Thank you.
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