Azerbaijani parliament speaker highlights nation's humanitarian experience at IPU assembly in Geneva

Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova underscored Azerbaijan’s deep experience with humanitarian crises during a session at the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held in Geneva.

The discussions focused on “Protecting humanitarian norms and supporting humanitarian action during crises," Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

Speaking at the event, Gafarova recalled the humanitarian catastrophe Azerbaijan faced in the early 1990s amid the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, noting that around one million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), which was a major tragedy for a nation of just eight million people at the time.

The speaker noted that, despite the immense challenges, Azerbaijan managed to address the urgent needs of its displaced population through sustained national efforts and support from international partners.

Gafarova also highlighted the country’s post-conflict recovery following the restoration of its territorial integrity in 2020. She said that large-scale reconstruction and rehabilitation projects have since been launched in the territories liberated from occupation.

She also informed the panel that the return process has already begun, and today, more than 50,000 people are once again living, working, and studying in those areas. Gafarova emphasised that this progress reflects the strong political will and commitment of the Azerbaijani government to humanitarian values, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.

By Sabina Mammadli