BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 12. The Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, as part of an official visit to Switzerland, met with the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Tatiana Molchan, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.
According to the ministry, the meeting discussed the prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN as well as Azerbaijan's achievements in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"Azerbaijan's proactive position within the UN system, including its significant contribution to the work of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), was highly appreciated," the ministry noted.
The meeting also included discussions on the work carried out by Azerbaijan during its chairmanship of the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) in 2023, expanding cooperation and facilitating trade and transportation with SPECA member states.
Bayramov also spoke about Azerbaijan's entering a brand new stage of strategic development in the post-pandemic and post-conflict period covering 2022–2030.
In this regard, he informed the audience about the National Priorities for Sustainable Development of Azerbaijan until 2030 and emphasized that the country's strategic goals are closely aligned with the SDGs.
Besides, he informed the other side about projects and plans for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the territories liberated from Armenian occupation, such as declaring a "zero-emission zone", establishing a green energy zone utilizing renewable energy sources, creating concepts of 'smart cities' and 'smart villages', sustainable management of trans-boundary water resources, and increasing green areas by 2050.
The minister also mentioned environmental terrorism committed by Armenia, destruction resulting from the occupation, widespread landmine threats in the region, and efforts to eliminate the occupation's consequences.
The meeting emphasized the importance of joint support for projects aimed at achieving the SDGs.
"The parties also exchanged views on other mutually interesting issues," the ministry added.
Bayramov left for an official visit to Geneva on September 11, 2023.
He is scheduled to speak at the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council and hold meetings with the heads of a number of international organizations during the visit.
During the visit, the minister has already met with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric Egger.
Besides, together with UN Director General in Geneva Tatiana Valovaya, he took part in the opening ceremony of the "Azerbaijan Hall" in the historic UN building in Geneva.
