Azerbaijan's transformation from aid recipient to donor highlighted at UN

Since regaining independence, Azerbaijan has transformed from a recipient of humanitarian aid into a donor country, Tofig Musayev, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the United Nations, said in a statement, Azerbaijan's Permanent Mission to the UN wrote on X, Report informs.

Musayev made the statement during the General Discussion of the UN Economic and Social Council's (ECOSOC) Humanitarian Affairs Segment (HAS), held from 17 to 19 June 2026 at UN Headquarters in New York.

He noted that Azerbaijan actively contributes to global humanitarian efforts through cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and bilateral assistance provided by its governmental institutions.

At the same time, the diplomat stressed that Azerbaijan continues to face serious humanitarian challenges stemming from the destructive impact of past conflict: "This includes approximately 300,000 Azerbaijani refugees from Armenia, more than 700,000 internally displaced persons from the formerly occupied territories, the widespread destruction in those areas, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the fate of over 4,000 missing persons."

The Permanent Representative also highlighted Azerbaijan's reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories and drew attention to the continued presence of mines and other explosive remnants: "Azerbaijan has declared humanitarian demining as its 18th National Sustainable Development Goal. The scale of the mine threat requires stronger accountability, closer international solidarity and partnership, as well as increased support for national demining capacity and efforts."

In conclusion, Azerbaijan reaffirmed its commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations and to international efforts aimed at delivering effective, timely and principled humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, ensuring that no one is left behind.