Smart cities, green growth, and women’s empowerment: Azerbaijan’s message at UN

Azerbaijan brought the issues of women’s empowerment and the adaptation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the green transition to the forefront at a side event held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The event also served as a platform to showcase Azerbaijan’s socio-economic development and reconstruction efforts in territories liberated from occupation.

Chaired by Azerbaijan, the roundtable discussion took place within the framework of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) under the theme “Baku Climate Coalition - SME Green Transition: Empowering Women”, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

It was jointly organized by the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan (SME Agency), the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Permanent Mission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the UN.

The session featured prominent officials, including Ambassador and Deputy Chairman of the COBIA Board Rufat Atakishiyev, Head of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Jeyran Rahmatullayeva, Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Dima Al-Khatib, and Permanent Observer of the OIC to the UN Hameed Ajibaye, along with representatives of UN agencies and ECOSOC-accredited NGOs. The discussion was moderated by Atilla Karaman, a representative of SESRIC.

Speaking at the event, Jeyran Rahmatullayeva emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to sustainability, stating that one of the country’s five national priorities for socio-economic development until 2030 is defined as “A country of clean environment and green growth.” She highlighted the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories, stressing the country’s vision for a sustainable future.

She recalled that after gaining independence in the early 1990s, Azerbaijan was subjected to occupation and aggression. Now, after resolving a conflict that lasted 30 years, the country has restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity, creating conditions for the return of thousands of citizens to their native lands. She emphasized that Azerbaijan is building new settlements in the liberated areas based on the ‘smart city’ and ‘smart village’ concepts, while simultaneously establishing a green energy zone in the region.

Rahmatullayeva also noted that last year was declared the “Year of Solidarity for a Green World” in Azerbaijan, reinforcing the country’s dedication to environmental protection and sustainable development. The discussions underscored Azerbaijan’s leadership in promoting women’s participation in the green transition, the role of SMEs in sustainable growth, and the broader international cooperation needed to achieve these goals.

By Tamilla Hasanova