Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has been elected as the chair of the 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) during his working visit to Bangkok, Thailand. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by the Operative Information Center-OMM, Azerbaijan will hold the chairmanship of the commission for the upcoming year.
The session, themed "Leaving no one behind: advancing society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific," opened with Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov delivering a message from President Ilham Aliyev to the participants. In his address, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the challenges posed by increasing global geopolitical tensions to international peace and security, reaffirming the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The message also emphasized Azerbaijan's full restoration of its sovereignty, progress in the normalization process with Armenia, the "Great Return" program, the threat of landmines, and the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor in regional connectivity.
Addressing the session as chair, Jeyhun Bayramov presented Azerbaijan's priorities in inclusive development, digital transformation, green energy, and multilateral cooperation. He noted that these goals are aligned with the "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development" framework. The Foreign Minister also recalled the historic agreements reached during COP29 in Baku, specifically the commitment to mobilize at least $300 billion annually in climate finance. As a major outcome of the session, the "Baku-Bangkok Declaration" was adopted, reflecting a shared commitment to social development and inclusive growth across all age groups in the Asia-Pacific region.
UNESCAP serves as the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to foster economic cooperation among its member states. Established in 1947, the commission provides a vital forum for dialogue on sustainable development and social welfare. Azerbaijan's election to the chairmanship is a reflection of the country's growing prestige on the international stage and its active role in global and regional processes, following its successful leadership in initiatives such as the Organization of Turkic States and the hosting of the World Urban Forum.
