In a landmark achievement, Azerbaijan’s representative has been elected Secretary-General of the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) for the first time, during the 3rd Extraordinary Session of the ICDO General Assembly held in Baku on July 10, 2025.
As reported by Vesti.az, citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the election took place in a highly competitive environment, with candidates from three different countries vying for the role. Azerbaijan’s nominee, Ergyuj Kelenterli, a senior official from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, secured majority support in the first round of voting—earning backing from 23 member states.
The ICDO is the only intergovernmental organization dedicated to civil defense. Its core mission is to strengthen the protection of civilians during natural disasters and man-made emergencies, support the capabilities of national response agencies, and promote international cooperation in disaster risk reduction and emergency response.
The newly elected Secretary-General will serve as the organization’s highest-ranking official, responsible for representing the ICDO internationally, managing its internal departments, and ensuring the effective operation of the Secretariat and related bodies.
Azerbaijan’s successful bid for this top post underscores its growing influence in global emergency response and disaster resilience policy, and reflects broader regional ambitions to lead on security and humanitarian issues.
