Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General: ‘We are very much looking forward to seeing the Azerbaijani Presidency of the COP29’ - INTERVIEW

Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement ("NAM"), the largest international organization after the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, with 120 member states, 17 other countries, and 10 international organizations acting as observers, is set to conclude at the end of 2023. The presidency, which began in 2019 through the unanimous decision of NAM member countries, signified Azerbaijan's rapid emergence as a significant player in international relations. During its three-year presidency, Azerbaijan garnered unanimous appreciation from all member states for its noteworthy achievements. In recognition of these successes, the chairmanship was unanimously extended for an additional year until 2023, underscoring the impact and influence of Azerbaijan's leadership within the NAM.

The spokesman for the Secretary-General (SG) of the United Nations (UN), Stéphane Dujarric, has shared insights with the US Bureau of Report regarding Azerbaijan's accomplishments during its NAM presidency. He addressed questions about the initiatives presented by Azerbaijan and highlighted the collaborative efforts between Azerbaijan and the UN during this period.

Dear Stéphane Dujarric, Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship of the NAM during a critical time for all member states and as it nears the end of the chairmanship. During this period, the NAM played a leading role in global efforts against the pandemic. How do you assess Azerbaijan's role in the fight against the pandemic during its Chairmanship?

- First of all, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to address the people of Azerbaijan, and I want to thank you for all the coverage that you do here at the United Nations every day. I think it is important to salute Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). As you maintained, it was at a time of great difficulty during COVID, and during this chairmanship, the NAM took a leading role in the fight against COVID-19.

We are here in the General Assembly building, just a few meters away from where there was a special session on COVID-19 set up by the NAM at the behest of Azerbaijan, which really helped solidify global solidarity in the fight against COVID-19. I think one of the things we learned during COVID was that there was not enough solidarity between the north and the south and the east and the west. The NAM, through its membership and through its ideology and its beliefs, really showed that there could be global solidarity, and we know how much Azerbaijan itself contributed to the fight against COVID-19 financially.

-Under Azerbaijan's Chairmanship, significant steps were taken for the further institutional development of the NAM. Initiatives like the NAM Parliamentary Network, the NAM Youth Organization, and the proposed NAM Women Platform were undertaken. Could you please share SG's perspective on these developments?

- For the Secretary-General, this is a symbolism of the shared ideals between the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations. Those are ideals about the importance of multilateralism that no country can by itself face all the global challenges that we have, and it is only through this global solidarity, through this belief, in multilateralism that we are stronger as a world through the tools of multilateralism. NAM plays a hugely important role historically, it always has throughout the Cold War and it continues to be extremely valid today.

-As a follow-up question, defending women's rights and the empowerment of women hold a prominent position on the Non-Aligned Movement's agenda, and play a crucial role in protecting women's rights. Can you please elaborate on the significance of Azerbaijan's contributions in this regard during its Chairmanship of the NAM?

- The NAM plays an important role in the protection of women's rights. In November of this year, an international conference on "Development of women's rights and empowerment" was held in Baku. The UN country office strongly supported Azerbaijan's efforts in this regard and showed a strong interest in NAM's promotion of gender equality, the role of women, and human rights. We live in a time where we saw during COVID-19 a rollback on a lot of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially on the ones having to do with women. The fact that often, when there is a crisis in the home, the women who may be working have to stop working. Girls are often not sent to school during times of crisis. It is so important at this time to reaffirm the inalienable human rights that all human beings have. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, women are denied these rights. It is important that the NAM's continued focus on and efforts toward gender equality are paramount in addressing these challenges.

-Additionally, Azerbaijan is among the most hardworking countries, making immense efforts to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals. There are a lot of infrastructure, green energy, etc. projects going on in different parts of Azerbaijan, including Karabakh. Does SG have any plans to visit Azerbaijan in the near future?

- Azerbaijan is really a leader in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). It was one of only 32 countries that presented its national voluntary plan ahead of the SDG Summit. This year, Azerbaijan has made significant local investments, and again, it is a prime example of how a UN country office in Azerbaijan can work in partnership with the government to see the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

-Azerbaijan is currently facing the most significant environmental disaster of the century. Tragically, due to the detonation of landmines left by Armenia during its 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani lands, civilians, including military personnel, lose their lives almost every day in these areas. Two of our journalist colleagues lost their lives in a mine explosion while reporting in Karabakh. Armenia refuses to share the maps of the mines buried in the liberated regions of Azerbaijan, and according to official statements, demining efforts are estimated to take at least 10 years to clear the entire Karabakh region. Why does the UN not make an official statement condemning this war crime?

- On behalf of the Secretary-General, I extend my condolences to you and the families of your colleagues. It's also another sign of the dangerous work that journalists do all over the world. Personally, as a former journalist, having spent 10 years, I am aware of the risks journalists undertake to tell stories. Please accept my sincere condolences. Landmines represent one of the most vicious weapons that we have today. Their impact persists for decades to come and we sit all over the world where demining has to take place.

The UN, through our Mine Action Office, has been actively supporting governments in demining efforts, including those in areas affected by conflict, and we will do in whatever way we can. We recognize the long-lasting consequences of these insidious weapons. As you rightly pointed out, the threat lingers for years, even 5–10 years from now. You never know a child could play on a mine or a farmer could be tilling his field and find a mine. The UN remains committed to supporting demining efforts. All member states, wherever in the world we are, are there to work with member states through the Mine Action Service to help the demining efforts. Mines present an ongoing danger, and we are dedicated to addressing this issue comprehensively. We've always spoken out against mines. Recently, the UN sent a team to the Karabakh area, and I'm sure that the country team will accompany the government now that the situation on the ground has changed. The country team will continue to stand by the government and help through our Mine Action Service to do whatever we can for the sake of the people who live there.

- While the SG was quick to condemn the Ukraine-Russia war, Afghanistan, and Gaza and urged member states to take a stand, the approach to the Azerbaijan-Armenia post-conflict situation appears more soft, it was not hard-hitting, lacking a strong message. Although the UN Secretary-General immediately took a tough stance in many conflicts (Ukraine-Russia war, Afghanistan, Gaza, Syria, Sudan) and condemned, calling on the member states, he remained silent during the conflict and the post-conflict period between Azerbaijan-Armenia. Although he frequently visited the conflicting regions and tried to resolve the situation on the spot, he never went to Karabakh during the 30-year occupation. What could be the reason for this approach?

- The Secretary-General will go to places where he feels his presence will be most helpful. One of the overriding visions of the Secretary-General is what he calls multi-literalism that is done in partnership with regional organizations. As seen in examples like Sudan with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and in Venezuela with CARICOM, supported by the United Nations. The UN doesn't need to be in the lead everywhere on peace or solving each and every peace and security.

We know that in solving the issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia, other countries already had taken the lead in seeking a peaceful solution. The Secretary-General doesn't want to involve himself in something just for the sake of being involved and maybe complicating matters. However, we're always there to support the framework that already exists.

- How do you see the perspectives of the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia? How can the GA promote the process?

- You possess a deeper understanding of this issue, having witnessed the recent developments. From my perspective as someone who is not steeped in this, it appears that significant steps have been taken in the past few weeks. The Secretary-General has welcomed it, and we are committed to supporting Armenia and Azerbaijan as they move on a path towards normalization.

- Baku will host COP29. Starting off with how the SG viewed COP28 and what he expects to see before COP29. How do you assess Azerbaijan's role in the fight against climate change? Will SG be in Azerbaijan during the COP29 summit?

Climate change is the fight that the Secretary-General has really taken to heart, and I think no world leader has been more blunt and more direct in that. He will continue that fight, and he very much looks forward to the partnership with the Azerbaijan Presidency next COP29. Climate change is the overriding problem that we're all facing, and countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia have suffered and continue to suffer from climate change.

The fact that the next COP will be held in Azerbaijan is of huge importance and also carries significant importance for the United Nations. We saw a lot of uneasiness and tensions in the last few weeks about where the next COP29 would be held, and I think it is a sign of the leadership of Azerbaijan. The fact that we've seen the positive developments, including the exchange of prisoners, which has in a way led to a lessening of the tensions, which has enabled Azerbaijan to be the official candidate to host a competent and clear will. We know that they've also supported Armenia's election to the Bureau of the COP. It is a sign of lessening of tensions. In a world facing numerous challenges, such as the situations in Israel and Gaza, and in Sudan, and we're seeing now new tensions between Guyana and Venezuela.

I think countries that can show that they can finally come to some resumption of dialogue, lessening of the tension, and understanding that the only path to solving problems is a political one, not through weapons. This is something we're very happy to see, and the clarity regarding the next COP is welcomed, emphasizing that political solutions are crucial, not weapons.Yes, definitely, SG will be in Baku for the COP29. We are very much looking forward to seeing the Azerbaijani Presidency of the COP29.

I hope I will go with him when he goes to Azerbaijan.

- Additionally, Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is set to host the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in 2026. How do you assess cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of urbanization? Are UN countries ready to support Azerbaijan in restoring liberated territories?

- The UN country team works with the government and supports them in whatever way they can through the agreed frameworks that exist. UN country offices in Azerbaijan are dedicated to supporting the people and the government of the country in pushing forward the Sustainable Development Goals in all of their aspects.