BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 16. Azerbaijan has submitted the 4th voluntary national review (VNR) on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the UN, TurkicWorld reports via the Ministry of Economy.
"Azerbaijan was represented by a delegation headed by Deputy Economy Minister Sahib Mammadov at the high-level political forum held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York on July 15. Azerbaijan's 4th Voluntary National Report was presented at the event," the statement of the ministry reads.
Furthermore, the report, dedicated to the theme "Strengthening the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Eradicating Poverty during Multiple Crises: Effective Provision of Permanent, Sustainable, and Innovative Solutions," reflects the work done in the period from 2021 to the present on the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Azerbaijan. The report also reflects achievements on the 18th SDG on mine action, activities concerning the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), SDG financing mechanisms in Azerbaijan, and thematic goals.
The 4th Voluntary National Report highlights the works on restoration of the liberated territories, projects of extended cooperation with the UN Office in Azerbaijan, achievements in obtaining statistical data, and recovery measures after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event emphasized that currently, the main direction of Azerbaijan's development strategy is the restoration of regions of the country liberated from occupation and the return of IDPs to their places of residence.
The Deputy Minister informed about the work done in the country in the fields of SDG realization, restoration of economic activity, ensuring dynamic growth of the non-oil sector, and steps taken towards the development of a national innovation system over the past period.
The event emphasized the role of peace and stability in ensuring sustainable development. It was noted that Azerbaijan is among the five most mine-contaminated countries in the world, with 1.5 million mines on 12 percent of the territory. Mines create obstacles for the reconstruction of territories liberated from occupation. In the period after the II Karabakh War, hundreds of Azerbaijani citizens tragically died or were seriously injured as a result of mine explosions.
Within the framework of the forum, several bilateral meetings were organized between representatives of international organizations and countries and the Azerbaijani delegation.
To read the IV Voluntary National Report of Azerbaijan on SDGs, click here
