A meeting of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review was held in Geneva under the organization of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. Azerbaijani delegation participated in the meeting. Deputy Minister Sevinj Hasanova represented the Ministry of Economy in the high-level delegation approved by the relevant Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In the meeting, the periodic reports of the member countries were reviewed within the framework of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, information on the human rights situation in the member countries was reviewed, and relevant recommendations were adopted.

Speaking at the event, the member of the Azerbaijani delegation, Deputy Minister of Economy Sevinj Hasanova said that the improvement of the population's well-being forms the basis of the country's economic and social development policy, that extreme poverty has been eliminated as a result of the implementation of 3 state programs aimed at reducing poverty, 3 regional and sectoral development programs, absolute poverty He emphasized that the indicator has decreased to 5.4%, the gross domestic product has increased 3.2 times, the income of the population has increased 9.8 times, and the unemployment rate has been reduced to 5%.

Sevinj Hasanova stated that systematic and consistent reforms have been carried out in the direction of sustainable and competitive development of the economy in Azerbaijan. He said that the issues of state support to the agrarian sector, support of small and medium entrepreneurship are in focus, he pointed out that 5 industrial parks and 4 industrial districts, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency were created. It was noted that suspension of inspections in the field of entrepreneurship, simplification of licensing and customs-transition procedures, improvement of the tax system, as well as continuation of reforms in the fields of implementation of investment and export promotion mechanisms had a positive effect on attracting investments and improving the business environment. In his speech, the Deputy Minister emphasized that ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens is one of the main goals of the state.

During the visit, the Azerbaijani delegation held meetings with the heads of a number of UN agencies. In a meeting with Olga Algaerova, the Deputy Secretary General of the UN, the Executive Secretary of the European Economic Commission, the work done and achievements in Azerbaijan in the direction of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the prospects ahead, the promotion of the goals of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development until 2030, and the promotion of innovations, were discussed in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Extensive information was given about innovation competitions and possible directions of cooperation with the European Economic Commission of the UN were discussed in this direction.

At the meeting of the Azerbaijani delegation with the assistant secretary general of the UN, the director of the UN Training and Research Institute (UNITAR) Nikhil Sez, the creation of the Azerbaijan International Training Center (CIFAL) and possible partnership directions in this field were discussed.