One of the main directions of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy in humanitarian sphere is raising international awareness about the violated rights of Azerbaijanis who suffered from Armenia’s military aggression and activities for the restoration of these rights. Azerbaijan as a country encountered with enforced disappearance of its citizens for 30 years has constantly contributed to international efforts on addressing the issue of missing persons. Nearly four thousand citizens of Azerbaijan have been registered as missing as a result of the military aggression of Armenia. Azerbaijan is a main co-sponsor of the UN General Assembly resolution on “Missing persons” adopted for the first time in 2002 and reintroduced on a biannual basis ever since. The resolution covers all major aspects related to missing persons. It notes that people’s going missing inflicts grievous suffering on families and negatively impacts efforts to end conflicts. It also urges States that are parties to an armed conflict to cooperate, consistent with their international obligations, in order to effectively solve cases of missing persons.

Azerbaijan is also the main co-sponsor of the resolution of the UN Commission on the Status of Women on the “Release of women and children taken hostage, including those subsequently imprisoned, in armed conflicts” which strongly urges all parties to armed conflicts to prevent and combat acts of hostage-taking. The resolution condemns the torture, hostage-taking, killing and trafficking of women and children during the conflict, and calls for appropriate preventive measures.

Azerbaijan closely cooperates with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to address the needs of citizens affected by the conflict, especially in clarifying the fate of the missing persons. Since 2008 Azerbaijan has been working with the ICRC to collect ante-mortem data on the missing persons. Since 2014 a project to collect DNA samples from family members of the missing persons has been implemented. The ICRC also provides psychological support to the families of the missing persons.

Azerbaijan cooperates with the ICRC to discover mass graves and conduct exhumation works in the liberated territories. Since June 2022 a pilot project on exhumation of the remains in six burial sites with precise geographical coordinates has been launched. The trainings and seminars have been conducted for the representatives of the relevant bodies participating at search and exhumation works. Serious mine contamination in the liberated territories is a major obstacle for the search operations.

The ICRC also assists in improving the water supply and supports households in war-affected communities. In addition, raising awareness of international humanitarian law among military personnel, journalists and students is one of the spheres of cooperation with the ICRC. The ICRC representatives visit prisons to recommend on ameliorating the detention conditions of persons deprived of liberty in accordance with the recognized detention standards. The ICRC’s joint project with the Ministry of Justice on tuberculosis treatment in prisons is one of the best practices in the world.

Azerbaijan also launched cooperate with the ICMP (International Commission on Missing Persons) to clarify the fate of the missing persons. The ICMP’s assessment mission visited Azerbaijan in May 2023.

On September 18, 2023, Azerbaijan initiated and hosted its first international conference on “Increasing national and global efforts to clarify the fate of missing persons” on the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The conference was attended by politicians, former heads of states and governments, diplomats, experts, family members of the missing persons from different countries and representatives of the ICRC, ICMP and IOM (International Organization for Migration). A final declaration of the event was adopted by the participants calling for strengthened national and international efforts to prevent and effectively address problem of missing persons.

Azerbaijan is also a member of the Global Alliance for the Missing launched in 2021. This network was established as an incentive to bear the collective influence and diplomatic and political capacities of States to improve the prevention and resolution of separation and disappearance.

Azerbaijan cooperates with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The Federation as one of the main components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. The Federation provided the IDPs and refugees with food and non-food items and helped meet the medical, educational, infrastructure, sanitary and water needs of the IDP camps during the 1990s. During the visit of the Secretary-General of the Federation to Azerbaijan in 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation was signed between the organisation, the Government of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society. It was agreed to cooperate in disaster risk management, capacity building of the national society, health, strengthening the Red Cross and Red Crescent networks and dissemination of the fundamental principles of the Movement. The IFRC supports the efforts of the Government of Azerbaijan to assist the victims of the conflict and helps in building capacity for the Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society.

The issues related to the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, including their right to voluntary, safe and dignified return to their native lands have been constantly at the centre of our diplomatic efforts at the international level. The right of Azerbaijani IDPs to return to their homes voluntarily and in safety has been confirmed in the resolutions adopted by the major international organizations. The efforts by the Government of Azerbaijan to address the social problems of one million Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs is recognised by the international organisations as an exemplary practice. The main priorities of the Government of Azerbaijan after the liberation of its territories are to clear these territories from mines and other unexploded ordnances, restore the cities and settlements totally destroyed during the conflict and create necessary conditions for voluntary, safe and dignified return of Azerbaijani IDPs to their native lands. The fact that the process of rehabilitation of the liberated territories is hindered by heavy landmine contamination and total destruction of the infrastructure is constantly raised at the international level. The international community is regularly informed of the hundreds of mine victims, as well as many IDPs seeking to return to their lands after three decades of forceful separation among them. Despite these serious challenges, the return process of the IDPs to the liberated Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur has already started. “The First State Program of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Great Return to the territories liberated from the occupation” adopted in November of 2022 envisages the return of 34 500 families to the liberated territories till the end of the program in 2026.

Urbicid and total destruction in the territories of Azerbaijan during the conflict and the national priority to restore these territories in line with modern urbanization standards has necessitated strengthening the relations with the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) in recent years. The Executive Director of the UN-Habitat has visited Azerbaijan several times since 2022 and participated at the National Urban Forum held in Aghdam in 2022 and Zangilan in 2023. She also participated at the World Habitat Day celebrated in Baku for the first time in 2023. In 2022 UN-Habitat presented to Azerbaijani side a Road Map for cooperation which also envisages priority direction on technical assistance and capacity building for restoration of human settlements in the liberated territories. A project office of the UN-Habitat has started its work in Azerbaijan since May of 2023.

For many years the Republic of Azerbaijan has cooperated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to address the problems of the IDPs and refugees. The UNHCR, which has been operating in Azerbaijan since 1992, has supported the efforts of the Government of Azerbaijan to improve the living conditions of the IDPs through income-generating activities. In addition to providing assistance and protection to the IDPs, refugees, stateless persons and asylum seekers, UNHCR has also supported the Government of Azerbaijan in establishing a national asylum system, improving legislation on refugee status and statelessness, and fulfilling the obligations arising from the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. Azerbaijan has been a member of the UNHCR Executive Committee since 2012.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has also supported the efforts of the Government of Azerbaijan in solving the social problems of the IDPs. The project on “Integrated development of agriculture in the IDP settlements in Azerbaijan through the revitalisation of kahriz water systems” implemented by the International Organisation for Migration with the financial support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is one of the important projects in this field.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan closely cooperates with the IOM and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) to implement a number of projects aimed at improving border control and migration management. The IOM is also one of Azerbaijan’s key international partners in building capacity to combat human trafficking. Cooperation with European states in the field of migration is aimed at implementing the Joint Declaration on Mobility Partnership, as well as agreements on visa facilitation and readmission of persons residing without permission, signed between the EU and Azerbaijan. The ICMPD implements the “Support to the Implementation of the Mobility Partnership with Azerbaijan (MOBILAZE)” project.

Azerbaijan participates in several regional consultative processes on migration, such as the Almaty Process (2013), the Budapest Process (1991) and the Prague Process (2009). The Almaty Process, of which Azerbaijan is a founding member and a chair for the years of 2023‐2024, focuses on addressing the multiple challenges resulting from mixed migration dynamics and enhancing regional cooperation and coordination on mixed migration. The Budapest Process is an interregional dialogue in Europe and Asia, with the goal of strengthening regional dialogue and cooperation on migration and mobility. Azerbaijan has been a member of the Prague Process since its establishment, which aims to provide a common political framework to strengthen migration management.

Azerbaijan also contributed as a Champion country in the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), which serves as the main intergovernmental global platform to discuss and share progress in the implementation of all aspects of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). Azerbaijan’s GCM championship is a tangible result of the approach and activities in application of the GCM.

Cooperation with various international organisations in the sphere of achieving universal and quality education at all levels is one of the important areas of multilateral cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. Through the Education for Employment in Azerbaijan programme, we cooperate with the EU to promote the improvement of vocational and higher education in the country. In addition, cooperation continues under the Erasmus+ programme. Azerbaijan also cooperates with UNESCO, ETF, UNECE, CoE, ECO Educational Institute and other organisations to improve the quality of education. Azerbaijan also contributes globally to achieving inclusive and quality education, which is the fourth goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 4), and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all, and provides grants for young people from the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to study in Azerbaijani universities.

Located at the crossroads of the East and the West and thus maintaining the values of both civilizations, Azerbaijan is not only a geographical bridge; it also acts as an intercultural bridge between civilizations. Azerbaijan regularly puts forward significant initiatives aimed at dissemination of ideas of cultural diversity throughout the world. These initiatives, namely the “World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue” organized in cooperation with UNESCO, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, UNWTO, the Council of Europe, ICESCO are an essential part of the “Baku process” started in 2008. It should be emphasized that world forums on intercultural dialogue organized so far in Baku have reached remarkable achievements and become an international platform to enable and encourage people, countries and organizations around the globe to take concrete actions to support diversity, dialogue and mutual understanding worldwide. In his report 72/488 on “Promotion of a culture of peace, interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace” the UN Secretary-General referred to the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue within the “Baku process” as a key global platform for promoting intercultural dialogue.

To promote intercultural dialogue at all levels Azerbaijan also closely cooperates with the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). Azerbaijan is an active member of the Group of Friends of the UNAOC and one of the top donors of the UNAOC. On 25-27 April 2016, Azerbaijan hosted the UNAOC’s 7th Global Forum entitled “Living together in inclusive societies”.

Azerbaijan initiated the #Peace4Culture campaign to contribute to the global efforts for promoting the culture of peace, tolerance and peaceful co-existence by realizing different creative and peace-oriented projects, as well as to draw the global attention to the adverse effects of conflicts on culture. This initiative is supported by the UNAOC and ICESCO. The agreement endorsing the Action Plan of the #Peace4Culture Campaign for 2022-2027 years signed in May 2022 with UNAOC serves to the effective implementation of Azerbaijan’s initiative to promote peace in societies and safeguard cultural heritage, as well as UNAOC’s activities on promoting dialogue among civilizations.

In the field of culture, Azerbaijan also cooperates with UNESCO, ICESCO, CoE, ECO Cultural Institute and other organisations.

In the humanitarian field, Azerbaijan cooperates with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO).

The international cooperation in social sphere mainly covers the relations with International Labour Organisation (ILO), OIC, UNICEF, UNFPA and others. Azerbaijan has been a full member of the ILO since May 1992 and has acceded to its 59 Conventions. Cooperation between our country and the organisation is carried out in 3 main areas: improving the system of social dialogue; support for institutional reforms; implementation of practical cooperation measures. Cooperation with the ILO contributes to developing labour legislation based on international experience, improving and regulating the labour market, creating safe working conditions and strengthening social protection and expanding employment opportunities. Active technical support was provided by the ILO in the development of the new Employment Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2017-2030).

Taking into account the need for inclusive growth strategies envisaging prudent labour market policies that aim at increasing the rate of participation in labour force and thus decreasing the scope of economic inactivity in the OIC countries Azerbaijan also strives to contribute to the OIC efforts to meet this need. As an important sign of these efforts, the Labour Centre of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was initiated by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan during the second session of the Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers held in Baku in 2013. The opening of the OIC Labour Centre was launched during the fifth session of the Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers held in Baku in 2023.

Azerbaijan has the long-time cooperation with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The organisation has been operating in our country since 1993. Cooperation with UNICEF is carried out as part of the current country programme. This programme aims to support Azerbaijan in ensuring the fundamental rights of the child enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the national child development strategies, including the integration of children with disabilities into society and inclusive education. For many years, UNICEF has assisted the Government of Azerbaijan in replacing the Soviet-era orphanage system with a new childcare system (de-institutionalisation), developing juvenile justice, expanding the scope of preschool education, ameliorating maternal and infant health. The organisation is one of Azerbaijan’s key partners in educating children about the dangers of landmines in the territories liberated from the occupation.

Azerbaijan has been cooperating with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) since 1994. This cooperation covers three areas in accordance with UNFPA’s current country programme: sexual and reproductive health, population dynamics, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. Along with the UNFPA, Azerbaijan cooperates with the Council of Europe, the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences, and other institutions to promote gender equality and prevent domestic violence.

Azerbaijan cooperates with a number of international organizations in the field of promotion of youth participation in all spheres of society. In the framework of the “Creating New Platforms to support active youth engagement in Global Policy” project jointly conducted with the UNDP, the Sustainable Development Goals Youth Ambassadors initiative was launched in 2018 and 17 Youth Ambassadors on SDGs were selected. Another direction of the project was the institutionalization of the UN Model in Azerbaijan. As a part of this activity, UN Model Clubs were created in various universities of Azerbaijan and conferences, presentations and trainings were conducted by the Clubs.

At the initiative of the Azerbaijani chairmanship at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the inaugural meeting of the NAM Youth Network was held online on 4-5 October 2021, with participation of more than 100 young people representing NAM member countries. NAM Youth Network provides an opportunity for youth of the Member States to exchange views on the challenges they face in ensuring sustainable development and how these challenges can be addressed in cooperation. In July of 2022 NAM Youth Summit was held in Shusha City and the NAM Youth Organization with headquarters in Baku was founded according to the Summit’s decision. The opening ceremony of the NAM Youth Organization was held during the ministerial meeting of NAM Coordination Bureau held in July of 2023 in Baku.

Azerbaijani youth representatives also participate in the events held within the EU4Youth programme. According to the Action Plan for Azerbaijan for the years 2022-2025, cooperation in the field of youth with the Council of Europe will be conducted through CoE Youth Co-operation programme. The programme provides training and capacity building for young people and youth organizations and facilitates their participation in decision-making.

The relationships with the World Health Organisation (WHO) are of particular importance. The WHO has been operating in our country since 1994 and supporting the Government’s efforts in combating communicable and vaccine-preventable diseases, immunisation, application of international health regulations etc. The participation of the WHO Director-General at the International Conference on Health Reforms in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals and the signing of a joint statement by the WHO and the Government of Azerbaijan in July 2018 served as an important incentive for relations with the WHO. Azerbaijan provided $ 10 million to the WHO to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Azerbaijan has been a pioneer country calling for and promoting equal and fair access to COVID-19 vaccines. At the initiative of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a special session of the UN General Assembly dedicated to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic was held in December of 2020. The UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly adopted resolutions on “Ensuring equal, affordable, timely and universal access to COVID-19 vaccines” at the initiative of Azerbaijan. These resolutions draw attention to the negative effects of the unfair and unequal distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, which is one of the main obstacles to the complete elimination of the pandemic and the achievement of the SDGs. The resolutions also call for a fair distribution of vaccines among all countries.