Baku, February 6, AZERTAC
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Hidayat Abdullayev participated in the 64th session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) held at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The priority theme for CSocD64 was “Advancing social development and social justice through coordinated, equitable and inclusive policies.
In his remarks, Deputy Minister Hidayat Abdullayev provided insight into the successes of the five social reform packages implemented in Azerbaijan over the past seven years, under President Ilham Aliyev’s instructions.
The Azerbaijani Deputy Minister also spoke about the considerable growth in social payments resulting from those reforms, which covered approximately 40 percent of the population and were supported by an additional allocation of 8 billion manats.
He noted that Azerbaijan has contributed to social welfare, equal opportunities, and inclusive development through the State Program on the Development of Social Services for 2023–2026", adding that the reforms implemented in the country in the fields of labor, employment, and social protection are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Group’s (UNSDG) principle of "Leaving no one behind" (LNOB).
Deputy Minister Hidayat Abdullayev also briefed the participants about the DOST Centers, which have become Azerbaijan’s new national brand.
Hidayat Abdullayev stated that Azerbaijan, which has restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty, has been successfully implementing the "Great Return" Program in the liberated territories, and that the citizens returning to their native lands are provided with comprehensive social support and active employment measures.
Deputy Minister Hidayat Abdullayev also attended the side event titled “Building an Inclusive Long-Term Care System Sustained by Social Solidarity: Türkiye’s 130-Year-Old Home of Compassion ‘Darülaceze’—as an Example of Good Practice”.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Abdullayev highlighted Azerbaijan’s efforts to provide social support for individuals with special needs.
During the panel discussion on “Eradicating poverty and ensuring dignity through resilient care and support systems”, Hidayat Abdullayev highlighted Azerbaijan’s positive experience in reducing poverty.
Hidayat Abdullayev also held a bilateral meeting with Adil Çalışkan, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Türkiye, on the sidelines of the 64th session of CSocD64.
The sides exchanged views on the prospects for future cooperation.