During the 3rd extraordinary session of the General Assembly of the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) held in Baku on July 10, an Azerbaijani representative was elected ICDO Secretary-General for the first time, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

According to the Ministry, candidates from three countries competed for the position, including Colonel Arguj Kalantarli, Head of the International Relations Department at Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.

“By winning the majority of votes (23 countries) in the first round, the Azerbaijani candidate was elected Secretary-General of this prestigious institution.

Regarded as the only intergovernmental organization operating in the field of civil protection, the ICDO’s main goal is to provide assistance to agencies responsible for safeguarding and aiding populations during natural and man-made disasters, mitigating their consequences, and promoting international cooperation in this area.

The responsibilities of the ICDO Secretary-General - the highest position in the organization’s structure - include representing the ICDO internationally, managing its structural units, and ensuring the functioning of the ICDO Secretariat,” the ministry added.