On July 29, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, received the Representative of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Azerbaijan, Saja Farooq Abdullah, on the occasion of the completion of her diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan, Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told APA.
The meeting reviewed the current issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN, including UNICEF, and discussed joint initiatives and projects implemented in Azerbaijan, including in other countries.
Saja Farooq Abdullah was thanked for her efforts in developing cooperation with UNICEF during her tenure in Azerbaijan, and she was wished success in her future endeavors.
Azerbaijan’s active participation in the work of the United Nations, including UNICEF, was noted. In particular, the importance of continuing the exemplary joint cooperation demonstrated during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was emphasized, including during the 13th World Urban Forum, which Azerbaijan will host next year.
Alongside the joint projects implemented in Azerbaijan in the areas of children’s health, well-being, and education, the importance of cooperation with UNICEF was highlighted in coordinating initiatives where Azerbaijan acts as a donor — particularly the initiative to build a secondary school in Palestine.
Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also provided detailed information to the counterpart about the large-scale restoration and reconstruction activities carried out in the post-conflict period in the liberated territories, as well as the rebuilding efforts based on the “smart city” and “smart village” concepts. He extensively discussed the work being done to ensure the dignified return of Azerbaijani citizens to their native lands.
Saja Farooq Abdullah expressed satisfaction with the improvement of children’s life, health, and well-being indicators during her tenure in Azerbaijan, emphasizing the important role of productive cooperation with the relevant state institutions of the country in this regard.
The counterpart, as a UNICEF representative in Azerbaijan, expressed gratitude for the support and cooperation received during their tenure and conveyed their wishes for the continued development of Azerbaijan-UNICEF collaboration in the future.
During the meeting, an exchange of views was also held on other matters of mutual interest.
