Azerbaijan's Deputy FM advocates for peace and justice at UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

From February 23 to 26, Elnur Mammadov, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, visited Geneva for the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council. During the visit, Mammadov participated in the session and held several bilateral meetings.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan told Caliber.Az that Mammadov delivered a detailed speech, discussing the post-conflict regional situation, Azerbaijan's "Great Return" program, and the ongoing process of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He also highlighted the challenges that remain, including territorial claims enshrined in the Armenian Constitution.

Mammadov responded to statements made by the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressing various issues raised during the session.

In his speech, Mammadov elaborated on the legal processes initiated by Azerbaijan in international courts regarding Armenia’s war crimes. He also highlighted Azerbaijan’s efforts to clarify the fates of missing persons, combat the threat of landmines, and restore the rights of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia.

As part of his visit, Mammadov held meetings with several foreign ministers, including Carlos Ramiro Martínez Alvarado of Guatemala, Vijitha Herath, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Abdullah Khalil, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Arzu Rana Deuba, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Alejandro Solano Ortiz, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, and Noura bint Zaid Al-Rashoud, the Executive Director of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

During these meetings, the officials discussed bilateral and multilateral relations, the post-conflict regional situation, Azerbaijan’s efforts to promote peace in the region, the country’s role as chair of the 29th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), and potential cooperation in this regard.