Azerbaijan Highlights Youth and Volunteering Initiatives at UN Sustainable Development Forum
Baku, The Gulf Observer: An Azerbaijani delegation led by Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Indira Hajiyeva participated in a series of high-level events held during the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at UN Headquarters in New York, underscoring the country’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting youth engagement.
According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, the forum featured discussions on the implementation of the SDGs, with particular emphasis on the vital role of young people in achieving sustainable development worldwide.
On the sidelines of the forum, Deputy Minister Hajiyeva met with Felipe Paullier, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs and head of the UN Youth Office. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN Youth Office, including expanding opportunities for Azerbaijani youth to participate in the office’s future internship programmes and other youth-focused initiatives.
As part of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), a photo exhibition entitled “Volunteering in the CICA Member States” was inaugurated during the visit. The exhibition was jointly organized by the CICA Secretariat and Kazakhstan and showcased the contributions of volunteers across CICA member states.
In addition, a side event titled “Best Practices in Volunteering in the CICA Member States” was held, providing a platform for participants to exchange experiences, share successful volunteer initiatives, and explore ways to enhance regional cooperation in youth engagement and community service.
Azerbaijan’s participation in the forum reaffirmed its commitment to fostering international partnerships, empowering young people, and promoting volunteerism as a key driver of sustainable development and regional cooperation.
