Baku conference on missing persons concludes with adoption of final statement UPDATED

An international conference concluded in Baku with the adoption of a final statement highlighting strengthened global cooperation and joint efforts in the search for and identification of missing persons. The event was held as part of the third annual Baku Dialogue, organised by Azerbaijan’s State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons.

The conference opened with an address from President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, read out to participants at the start of the event. In his speech, President Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s firm commitment to resolving the issue of missing persons and commended international efforts to address the matter, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Ali Naghiyev, Chairman of the State Commission and head of Azerbaijan’s State Security Service, delivered the opening speech. He underscored the significance of the forum and expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for his continued support, praising his resolute and principled stance on uncovering the fate of missing citizens.

Delegates from international organisations and relevant institutions participated in the conference, delivering presentations and engaging in panel discussions focused on strengthening cooperation, exchanging best practices, and advancing identification techniques.

A notable outcome of the event was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the State Commission of Azerbaijan and the Institute for Missing Persons of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signalling a new step towards enhanced bilateral collaboration.

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On October 9, the international conference on the topic “Uniting Efforts and Expanding Cooperation to Address the Issue of Missing Persons” was held as part of the Baku Dialogue, organised by Azerbaijan’s State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons, with the participation of representatives of relevant institutions.

First, a message from President Ilham Aliyev to the participants of the international conference was read out, followed by a speech from Ali Nagiyev, head of the State Security Service (SSS) and chairman of the State Commission, Caliber.Az reports, citing SSS.

Nagiyev highlighted the goals and significance of the conference, now in its third year, and expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for his support in arranging the conference. He emphasised the government’s firm and principled commitment to clarifying the fate of missing citizens.

He noted that 3,990 individuals are currently registered as missing with the State Commission. Of 29 mass graves uncovered during excavations in territories liberated from occupation, the remains of 218 people have been identified and exhumed, and the identities of 187 missing persons have been confirmed and returned to their families. Nagiyev also announced the discovery of a new mass grave during search operations in the village of Balligaya in the Aghdara district.

Nagiyev referred to Article 9 of the draft “Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” initialled on August 8, 2025, in Washington, D.C., which provides for cooperation on clarifying the fate of missing persons. He expressed hope that contacts between the relevant state commissions of Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have been held regularly in recent times, as well as the expansion of cooperation with relevant international organizations, will contribute to this work.

The conference featured presentations and panel discussions, and concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the State Commission and the Institute for Missing Persons of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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On October 9, an international conference titled “Uniting Efforts and Expanding Cooperation to Address the Issue of Missing Persons” is being held at Gulustan Palace in Baku, organised by the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons.

Colonel-General Ali Naghiyev, head of the State Security Service and Chairman of the State Commission, read out a message from President Ilham Aliyev to the conference participants, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Azerbaijan continues to grapple with the unresolved issue of missing persons resulting from the Karabakh conflict, which has persisted since the late 1980s. The State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons of Azerbaijan has officially registered 3,990 individuals as missing, with nearly 3,200 of them being military personnel.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been actively involved in this humanitarian crisis, submitting eight formal lists of missing persons to the Azerbaijani authorities. The ICRC's Baku delegation has been engaged in this mission since 1992.

The families of the missing continue to endure prolonged uncertainty. For instance, in 2023, the remains of a missing Azerbaijani soldier were identified and returned to his family after 31 years, providing a rare moment of closure. However, many families still await answers, highlighting the ongoing challenges in resolving cases of missing persons.

By Khagan Isayev