On 25-26 October, Baku Forum on Sustainable Development, jointly organized by the Ministry of Economy and the United Nations (UN) Country Office on “Strengthening regional partnerships in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals” is being held. The Baku Forum involves high-level representatives from the European and Asian countries responsible for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, UN officials, international and local experts, civil society, as well as authorized representatives representing the public and private sectors.

United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Azerbaijan Ghulam Isaczai delivered his speech during the Baku Forum on Sustainable Development, Eurasia Diary reports.

In his speech, Ghulam Isaczai greeted the guests and thanked Azerbaijan for hosting this forum on behalf of the United Nations and himself. Moreover, he congratulated everyone on the UN Day which was commemorated on the 24^th of October.

He conveyed the words of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres: "Mr. Antonio Guterres sends his message to everyone on this day to never give up: to never give up to address climate change, never give up to address poverty, never give to respect human rights and to never give to work for peace". He also reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to repairing  broken trust, healing of the plans and leaving no one behind,

“When the UN charter was signed, the core task was to promote the social progress and better standard of life and enlarge the freedom. It was in respect that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was also drafted. This year we also commemorate the 70 years of this historic document", Ghulam Isaczai said.

The UN Resident Coordinator also mentioned: “My message will be focused on important areas of sustainable development. I am sure that countries must come up with their 2030 vision (2030 agenda), broad maps and integrate the roles and targets of sustainable development. Governments must do more to enlist the commitment of honorship of the 2030 agenda of civil society, media in order to combine policy action with innovation, skill ability, and investments in the SDG acceleration".

"Azerbaijan was one of the 1^st countries to prepare its first national voluntary review report and submit it to the high-level political forum in New York city in 2017, whereas the 2^nd review report is under the preparation.  Azerbaijan helped to identify policy options by commitment in mainstreaming and acceleration of the politics. Azerbaijan is also one of the first countries in the world to come up with a set of principles for its SDG national priorities. We are very proud at the UN to be a partner to the Republic of Azerbaijan", Ghulam Isaczai said.

"I hope that this Forum will bring a lot of discussions among the participants and faster the exchange of experience and knowledge at the regional level. Moreover, it will help us to find the means and ways for acceleration of the progress within the 2030 agenda of Sustainable Development", UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan concluded. 

Eurasia Diary