Bahar Muradova, Chair of the State Committee for Family, Women, and Children Affairs, met with Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), who is visiting Azerbaijan as part of the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
The meeting included discussions on preparations for UNESCAP’s 82nd session, scheduled to be held in Baku in April next year.
Bahar Muradova highlighted the significance of the ECO Summit held in Khankendi and expressed appreciation for Alisjahbana’s participation in this important event. She emphasized the necessity of close cooperation with international organizations in addressing economic, social, and other processes in Asia and neighboring regions, noting Azerbaijan’s active engagement in this regard.
Speaking about the Committee’s collaboration with several UN regional bodies, Muradova underscored the importance of continuing effective cooperation within the framework of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA). She highlighted the significance of the Committee’s participation in the upcoming international event in 2026, noting that such initiatives provide a vital platform for sharing Azerbaijan’s achievements with international partners.
Executive Secretary Alisjahbana expressed satisfaction with the long-standing, high-level partnership between Azerbaijan and UNESCAP. She noted that women’s economic empowerment is a priority for ESCAP’s activities and discussed the importance of acquiring new skills for women in a rapidly changing and digitalizing world. She emphasized that these issues will be a focus at the 82nd session next year and stated that the Committee’s active involvement could make a significant contribution.During the meeting, Azerbaijan’s growing role in the region and on international platforms was highly praised, with particular appreciation for its contributions to the UN mission, especially its successful hosting and productive Presidency of the UN Climate Change Conference – COP29.
The parties exchanged views on strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships among participating countries, prospects for implementing joint projects on climate change, women’s and children’s issues, and other global challenges of mutual interest.