Azerbaijan eyes to expand implementation of mine clearance projects with UN

Further expansion of the implementation of projects related to demining with the UN agencies operating in Azerbaijan is of importance, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said at the event themed "The role of Heydar Aliyev in the implementation of UN development initiatives in Azerbaijan", Report informs.

“The main obstacle to the rehabilitation of the liberated territories is the mining of those areas. It hinders rapid reintegration,” the minister said.

According to him, the main issue facing Azerbaijan in the near future is related to the restoration of the liberated territories: “This process coincides with the Great Return of our compatriots to our ancient lands. Entrepreneurs and investors are provided with the necessary support by the state in establishing enterprises in Karabakh, concessions and privileges are given, and important infrastructure projects are implemented.”

Jabbarov said that at the Summit of the Contact Group of the Non-Aligned Movement on Combating COVID-19 held in Baku on March 2 of this year, President Ilham Aliyev put forward the initiative to add demining activities to the 2030 agenda of the UN as the 18th Sustainable Development Goal: “In this regard, the draft of the 18th Sustainable Development Goal has already been prepared by the Ministry of Economy together with the relevant bodies and submitted to the National Coordinating Council for Sustainable Development. I would like to take this opportunity to once again request the support of the UN Agencies to promote this initiative globally.”