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 Mr. Shahriyar Hajiyev

First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations

at the Security Council open debate on “Women, Peace and Security”
 

7 October 2025

Madam President,

We would like to thank the Russian Federation for convening the open debate on this very important topic. As 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), the debate presents a valuable opportunity to review the implementation and reaffirm the commitments outlined in 1325 and subsequent resolutions.

Regrettably, armed conflicts continue to impact women and children disproportionately around the globe. In the Pact for the Future, Member States undertook to accelerate the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda, including in post-conflict situations. 

Although the global community has repeatedly affirmed to uphold the rights of women during armed conflicts, the relevant reports of the Secretary-General draw a stark picture. Non-compliance by States with their international obligations and the lack of accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law continue to remain a serious challenge.

Madam President,

Humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts require close attention from the international community. The Security Council, in its resolution 2474 (2019), acknowledged that full and timely support for humanitarian components can be critical in ensuring and enhancing the sustainability of post-conflict peacebuilding.

Despite the end of the decades-long conflict and the progress achieved in advancing the peace agenda in the region, Azerbaijan continues to suffer from the tragic humanitarian consequences of the conflict. As such, the fate and whereabouts of nearly four thousand (3990) Azerbaijani nationals, including 284 women, remain unknown.

Azerbaijan is the author and initiator of the General Assembly biennial resolution on “Missing Persons” that, among others, calls for taking all appropriate measures to account for persons reported missing for ensuring thorough, prompt, impartial and effective investigations and the prosecution of offences linked to missing persons. An additional regular initiative of Azerbaijan is the Commission on the Status of Women resolution on the “Release of women and children taken hostage, including those subsequently imprisoned, in armed conflicts”, addressing the issue of hostage-taking, with a particular focus on women and children in armed conflicts. 

Another pressing humanitarian consequence of the conflict is the massive mine contamination of the territories of Azerbaijan, which seriously obstructs the safe and dignified return of the internally displaced persons, including women. Since the early 1990s, more than 3400 Azerbaijanis have been killed or seriously injured by landmine explosions. The scale and magnitude of the landmine threat in Azerbaijan necessitate enhanced accountability, stronger solidarity and partnership, and adequate international assistance for national humanitarian demining capability and efforts.

Madam President,

Azerbaijan has launched large-scale rehabilitation and reconstruction measures in the post-conflict period to enable displaced persons to exercise their right to safe and dignified return to their places of origin. The Great Return Programme, which is being implemented to this end, supports the empowerment of women by specific measures.

In conclusion, we reaffirm Azerbaijan’s commitment to the women, peace and security agenda, recognising the important role of women in the prevention and peace-building processes in conflict and post-conflict settings.

Thank you.