Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 28 / Trend /
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov delivered a speech at the United Nations, during his visit to New York to attend the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly.
"This year's General Debate is taking place in a period of serious threats and challenges to peace, security and sustainable development. Environmental, economic and social indicators demonstrate that the models for progress and development need to be modified and adapted. The theme of the current General Debate, entitled "The post-2015 development agenda: setting the stage", is timely and topical in providing an opportunity for evaluating progress achieved so far and identifying new ways of overcoming existing obstacles", Mammadyarov said.
Foreign Minister stressed, that Azerbaijan has recently become a donor country and contributed to sustainable development efforts of countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. This is a brand new chapter in history of my county and its activities on the international arena. A national entity, the Azerbaijan International Development Agency - AIDA - which has been established for these purposes, has already carried out various assistance programs in more than 20 countries. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has provided various humanitarian and social programs in its turn.
"One of the key elements that Azerbaijan is considering within the post-2015 agenda is information and communication technologies, which is a driving force of development and progress. To achieve the objective of ensuring improved access to ICTs, there is a need for intensified efforts towards enhancing regional synergies for promoting investment in ICT capacity building, refocusing tools and contents for addressing particular needs of the population, and thus better deploying ICTs in the service of sustainable development. In this connection, Azerbaijan has put forward a proposal to establish the Eurasian Connectivity Alliance - a regional platform in support of improved connectivity and greater cooperation in the field of ICTs. We are encouraged by Member States' support to that initiative through the adoption of resolution 67/298 this September and look forward to further cooperation with interested Governments and other stakeholders", Minister said.