The issue of missing persons is one of the major humanitarian concerns affecting the world.
This is stated in President Ilham Aliyev’s address to the participants of the international conference “Joining Forces and Expanding Cooperation to Address the Issue of Missing Persons.”
“Over the years, this problem has not lost its relevance; on the contrary, it has become even more acute. According to the United Nations, the highest increase in the number of missing persons in the past twenty years was recorded in 2024, when about 57,000 people went missing in conflict zones. These are the tragic consequences of ignoring international law during armed conflicts.
One of the humanitarian tragedies caused by the war that began with Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan and lasted for more than 30 years is that up to 4,000 Azerbaijanis — including children, women, and the elderly — went missing. After the liberation of our territories from occupation, 29 mass graves were discovered in these areas. Examinations of the remains found in these graves prove that the murdered Azerbaijanis were subjected to horrific torture. This is an extremely grave picture. The mass killing of people through torture, inhumane burial, and concealment of the crime are serious violations of international law.
Clarifying the fate of those who went missing during the Karabakh war has always been one of our important tasks. Since 1993, the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been operating. To date, the identities of 187 persons who went missing during the war have been established, and they have been buried.”
President Aliyev noted that the signing of the Joint Declaration and the initialing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on August 8, 2025, with the participation of the U.S. President, is a historic event that also creates new opportunities for ensuring lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region.
“The inclusion of a special article in the peace agreement concerning persons missing during the conflict demonstrates the importance we attach to this issue. As stipulated in the agreement, clarifying the fate of these persons is an important means of fostering reconciliation and trust between the sides. In this regard, the Armenian side must inform the Azerbaijani side about the locations of other mass graves of Azerbaijanis killed by them.
The Azerbaijani state is making great efforts to draw the attention of the international community to the issue of missing persons. For the third time, our country is hosting an international event dedicated to this topic. Since 2002, Azerbaijan has been initiating the adoption of UN General Assembly resolutions on missing persons, calling on states and international organizations to take the necessary measures in this direction. I believe that the United Nations should continue to intensify its efforts in this field.
I am confident that the discussions held within the framework of this conference will make a significant contribution to strengthening international cooperation in addressing the issue of missing persons,” the address concludes.
