Meeting Held with a Delegation of the International and National Paralympic Committees of Foreign Countries

A meeting was held at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population with a delegation comprising senior representatives of the International and national Paralympic committees of foreign countries.

The delegation is visiting Azerbaijan to attend events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the National Paralympic Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The delegation includes Leyla Marques Mota, First Vice-President of the International Paralympic Committee; Raymond Blondel, President of the European Paralympic Committee; Natalia Novikova, Vice-President of the Committee; as well as senior representatives of the Paralympic committees of Türkiye, Russia, Hungary, Spain, and other countries.

Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Anar Aliyev briefed the delegation on the ongoing efforts in Azerbaijan to strengthen the social protection of persons with disabilities, support their rehabilitation, and promote their integration into society.

It was noted that, thanks to National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s special attention and care for persons with disabilities, the foundations of the Paralympic movement were laid in Azerbaijan, and the National Paralympic Committee was established in 1996. Under the successful policy of President Ilham Aliyev, a key priority is ensuring the social well-being of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, expanding opportunities for their rehabilitation and integration into society, and developing the Paralympic movement.

The meeting also highlighted projects and initiatives led by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva to promote the integration of persons with disabilities into society and foster an inclusive society. The development of the Azerbaijani Paralympic movement and its historic achievements were also highlighted.

The participants discussed reforms implemented in recent years in the fields of disability and rehabilitation, as well as employment programmes for persons with disabilities. It was emphasized that activities in this area are carried out in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The work being undertaken to prepare athletes at the Sumgayit Paralympic Sports Complex under the Ministry was also outlined.

The guests expressed positive views on the efforts to ensure the continued development and expansion of the Paralympic movement in Azerbaijan, recognizing it as an important means of promoting the integration of persons with disabilities into society, ensuring equal opportunities, and advancing inclusive values.

The meeting continued with an exchange of views on further expanding cooperation with the International Paralympic Committee and the European Paralympic Committee, as well as implementing joint initiatives and projects.