What did the President and the UN coordinator discuss?
President Ilham Aliyev received the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, Dmytro Shlapachenko, on September 2, 2026, in Baku. During the meeting, Shlapachenko presented his credentials to the head of state. The discussions focused on strengthening the partnership between Azerbaijan and the United Nations, specifically regarding Azerbaijan's role in hosting major international events and the country's ongoing reconstruction efforts in liberated territories.
President Aliyev highlighted that Azerbaijan has successfully hosted significant UN-backed events, including COP29 and the World Urban Forum. He noted that further cooperation is expected, including the upcoming Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. The two parties also addressed critical environmental concerns, such as the ecological condition of transboundary rivers in the South Caucasus and the declining water levels in the Caspian Sea.
How will the UN support Azerbaijan's demining efforts?
The United Nations expressed its readiness to support Azerbaijan’s national development programs by sharing technical expertise, particularly in the field of humanitarian demining. Shlapachenko emphasized the importance of clearing mines to facilitate safe human settlements in the Garabagh and East Zangezur regions. President Aliyev reaffirmed that despite the significant obstacles posed by landmines, the country remains committed to consistent, large-scale demining operations to ensure the safety of its citizens.
