A delegation of the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) led by the Fund’s president Umud Mirzayev joined the panel discussions on Peace and Security within the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, Eurasia Diary reports.
Discussion of the peace and security factors in protracted conflicts in the GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) countries, elimination of humanitarian crisis during the conflicts, mutual support in conflict resolution, peace and sustainable development were at the top of the agenda.
IEPF President and the delegation informed the participants about the current situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Acting Chief, NGO Branch in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Marc-André Dorel hailed the work done by the IEPF over the past years and said ready to render support in this field.
He also invited the IEPF to participate and promote the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which will be held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council in 2019.
Touching upon the significance of the IEPF’s participation in the forum Mr. Dorel said that the Fund’s international experience will bring benefits to all members and give opportunities for the development of the future projects of the Council.
IEPF President informed Marc-André Dorel about the important role of the government and NGOs in civil society development in Azerbaijan.
He also highly appreciated the joint collaboration with the NGO Branch of the UN ECOSOC.
Mr. Mirzayev talked about the event organized by the IEPF on the “Opportunities and Prospects of Cooperation with UN ECOSOC” with the participation of Azerbaijani NGOs. He said that the event aimed at discussion of possibilities to strengthen the relations between the local NGOs and the UN Agencies, benefits from ECOSOC membership, support and promotion of the SDGs with an assistance of the IEPF.
Umud Mirzayev pointed out that as a civil society organization, the IEPF is a reliable partner with the governmental bodies and community-based organizations in the implementation of the action plan for sustainable development.
In recent years, IEPF’s efforts to develop “the civil society-microfinance and vocational education” model in the regions affected by the war was a successful trend towards improving the socio-economic programs.
At the same time, IEPF President underlined the importance of the world community’s involvement in the promotion of peace for sustainable development in the region.
Within a trip to the UN, the IEPF delegation also attended the events to mark Human Rights Day 2017.
Addressing the event, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly Miroslav Lajcak, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for International Migration Louise Arbour and others said that the human rights violation is the most painful problem in the modern world.
Speakers also stated that the wars causing the human rights violation have never ended with victory.
At the event Umud Mirzayev met with the former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Right and former judge of the International Criminal Court Navi Pillay and informed her about the current situation and initiatives on the prevention of human rights violation in Azerbaijan.
IEPF President also met with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin and the UN Goodwill Ambassador to Africa, president of the New Future Foundation Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely.
Recalling that the participation of the IEPF, one of the representatives of civil society, at the 72th session of UN GA was funded by the Council of State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations under the Auspices of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.