President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has called for the UN system’s reforms, “which has been discussed worldwide for many years.”
liyev said this in his opening speech at the Summit-level Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group in response to COVID-19, which began in Baku today.
“UN Security Council is reminiscent of the past and does not reflect the current reality,” he said.
“The composition of the Security Council should be expanded to make it more representative and more geographically fair,” demanded the President of Azerbaijan that holds the current chairmanship of NAM, an important political platform for effective cooperation among 120 world nations.
NAM, African representation in UN
He suggested that one permanent seat should be given to the NAM, and the country holding the position of chair of the Movement should have this seat on a rotating basis. “I call on NAM member countries to start consultations on this issue and present their views to the relevant UN Committee.”
The president added, “We also support the allocation of permanent seats for Africa in the Security Council.”
The Summit-level meeting is attended by heads of state and government of about 70 countries, including Presidents of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iraq and Libya; vice presidents of Cuba, Gabon, and Tanzania; Prime Ministers of Algeria and Kenya; and high-level representatives of various countries and heads of international organisations.
On behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, is leading the UAE delegation to the meeting.
H.H. Sheikh Saud met yesterday with President Aliyev and conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to the President of Azerbaijan, and his wishes of further progress and development to his country. The Azeri president reciprocated the greetings.
Call for South-South cooperation, UN Panels
zerbaijani President also urged to further strengthen the South-South cooperation, guided by the principles of respect for sovereignty, national ownership, equality and mutual benefit.
“Its agenda is set by countries of the South themselves in line with their national needs and priorities, not imposed by the outside world.”
liyev pointed out that COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the implementation of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals. “The global efforts should be reinforced to prevent, inter alia, backsliding on targets and to catch up with the 2030 Agenda.”
He suggested establishing a UN High-Level Panel on Global Recovery from COVID-19. “This Panel could elaborate recommendations on global measures for the post-pandemic period. I invite all NAM members to support this initiative.”
The president said climate change is another challenge for humanity, causing serious problems such as water scarcity, food insecurity, and forced migration.
Small Island Developing States deserve more attention in this regard since they are more vulnerable to climate change’s impact and face an existential threat, he said.
Two global calls for recovery
The president declared two Global Calls to support the post-pandemic recovery of Africa and Small Island Developing States and called upon NAM members and international community to support them for their post-pandemic recovery.
“It is my pleasure to announce that Azerbaijan, as the first donor, is allocating US$1 million for both Global Calls.”
President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kralsi; and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UN Geneva), Tatiana Valovaya, addressed the meeting.
video address by Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was screened.
Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), Zurab Pololikashvili; Director-General of International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Antonio Vitorino; Secretary-General of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), Khusrav Noziri; as well as ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors and other officials are also attending the meeting.
Source: WAM News Agency