Mr. President

Ladies and Gentlemen

Allow me on behalf of the Government and the delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to welcome all participants of the session and to wish us all productive endeavours. I am confident that the decisions to be adopted at the session will be crucial for all women of the world at the turn of the centuries and millennia.

The Fourth World Women Conference held in Beijing in 1995, continuing the Nairobi strategies, defined problems and challenges that women are facing at national, regional and global levels. On the basis of the Beijing Platform the National Plan of Action of Azerbaijan was elaborated, adopted and is being implemented successfully.

Mr. President, The region of the Caucasus today is in the focus of attention of the entire world, unfortunately, as a flashpoint of conflicts and disputes. For us, who faced the consequences of the armed conflict in and around the Nagorny Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in the triad " Equality, Development, Peace" - the magic word "peace" predetermines all.

Mr. President, From this high rostrum, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the UNDP and UNIFEM for their assistance in organizing the Baku Regional Conference "Women and Armed Conflicts". For the first time since the outbreak of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, representative women's delegation from Armenia has arrived in Baku to participate at the conference. All women participants unanimously accepted the Baku Declaration reflecting their belief that despite all losses, pain and sufferings that affected thousands of families, a great number of refugees, we, women should make compromises for the sake of our common future, for the achievement of stable and just peace in the region.

This peace-building activity was followed by meetings of women non-governmental organizations within the programme of the American Academy for Education Development and the Harvard University programme in the framework of "Women Waging Peace" initiative - the global network of women-peacemakers.

Mr. President, At present, Azerbaijan is living in the state of "neither peace nor war". After peace has been achieved in the region, the women of Azerbaijan believe that one of the most important directions for developing the country and the region as a whole is the implementation of various programs for regional cooperation. Among them, the Europe Caucasus - Asia Transportation Corridor project is of special importance. Virtually, it is the plan for the Great Silk Road restoration. For us the Silk Road is a significant part of our past characterized by a high level of ethnic and religious tolerance, cultural and economic cooperation. At the same time, the Silk Road is a substantive part of our future, a path towards further development using the unique geopolitical opportunities of theCaucasus to create an economic, transportation and communication bridge between Asia and Europe.

However, all these plans have not been sufficiently reflected in the real life .of women of Azerbaijan. We are facing numerous problems, which are common for all countries in transition. The heavy burden of economic problems affects women in the first place. The situation is aggravated by the fact that there are almost 1 million refugees and displaced persons in the country the majority of whom are women and children deprived of shelter, work and means of subsistence.

One of the targeting measures to alleviate the current situation would be a microcredit program, the establishment of women's banks, special plans on women's economic empowerment sponsored by the relevant international agencies.

Underlining the significance of the programs for economic development, we also highly appreciate the fact that women are in majority in the country's education system, public health and culture. Women make up 9.2 per cent in the management of the municipal executive authorities. In the Government, women hold 6.2 per cent of positions. Women constitute 30 per cent of public administration. I would like to note that the chairpersons of the country's Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal are women. We, women, are occupying the ministerial and sub-ministerial positions, we are at the head of departments in the Cabinet of Ministers and the Office of the President. The Parliament elections held in Azerbaijan after the Beijing Conference, as a result of the increased women activity secured 12 per cent of women membership in the supreme legislative body.

As a distinctive presentation of the country's realization of the Beijing Platform, was the national report of Azerbaijan submitted at the session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in January 1998. As the report notes Azerbaijan secures equal rights policy for women at all levels. It is worth noting that constitutionally and legislatively, women in Azerbaijan are totally equal to men in their rights. Moreover, all legislative bills are being subjected to gender expertise. It is obvious that transition from the policy of equal rights to the policy of equal opportunities, undoubtedly, requires additional efforts.

In this connection, I would like to mention that the state policy on advancement of women in the society is elaborated and being implemented throughout the country. This policy yields its outcome. Among the accomplishments, we can mention institutionalizing of agencies that are directly responsible for advancement of women. The State Committee for Women's Issues was established. Meanwhile, a widespread network of women's NGOs is operational in the country. Generally, all this creates opportunities for the successful implementation of the Beijing Platform at the national level. The 5th Congress of women of Azerbaijan held in 1998 demonstrated increased interest and potential of women to participate actively in all spheres of life.

Mehseti Ganjevi, the 12th century outstanding poetess of Azerbaijan wrote sadly that it is a rare thing that woman's dreams come true. My strong belief is that our dreams of real equality, development and just peace will eventually come true.

Thank you, Mr. President.