United Nations in Azerbaijan

Over the last eight years, Azerbaijan has demonstrated its firm commitment towards achieving the 2030 Agenda. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan issued the Decree in 2016, to establish the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development - a key partner for the United Nations to channel its support to the Government of Azerbaijan since then. Azerbaijan has been one of the first countries to undertake a MAPS mission (Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support for the 2030 Agenda) which outlined concrete policy and programming steps that could be taken to accelerate the goals nationally, the experience which was presented at the 2018 Baku Forum on Sustainable Development. This regional event also marked the adoption of the Baku Principles which established provisions for the integration of SDGs and acceleration of their implementation. With UN support, the National Information Portal on SDGs was launched, which introduces an interactive dashboard, collects consolidated data, tracks and monitors progress towards the SDGs in real-time. UN provides continuous support to strengthen national statistical capacities to produce quality data while focusing on disaggregation to Leave No One Behind. United Nations also makes special efforts to engage different groups including the private sector, media, parliamentarians, and the public, among others, in promoting the Goals.

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Publication

16 May 2023

UN Azerbaijan - Annual Results Report 2022

We are pleased to share with you the UN Country Results Report for 2022. The report highlights the last year's results of our joint efforts with the Government, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and the achievements in in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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Press Release

18 June 2021

UNHCR commends Azerbaijan’s continued support to refugees and Asylum Seekers on the World Refugee Day

While many refugee emergencies are unfortunately becoming protracted, such as that of the Rohingya from Myanmar, new emergencies continue occurring, such as one in Tigray region of Ethiopia, which has displaced hundreds of thousands within Ethiopia and across the border in Sudan. The global fight against the COVID19 pandemic and its consequences, has shown that we can only succeed if we stand together and this year’s World Refugee Day campaign calls for greater inclusion of refugees in host societies, with particular reference to health, education systems and sports with the key messages of “heal”, “learn” and “shine”. Azerbaijan hosts 1,616 refugees in total originating mainly from Afghanistan and other countries in central Asia, the Middle East and eastern Europe. On the World Refugee Day, UNHCR Azerbaijan commends the authorities and people of Azerbaijan for granting access to healthcare and employment rights to refugees and asylum seekers living in the country. As we continue working and collaborating to achieve integration and inclusion of refugees, we also sincerely express our gratitude to the Government of Azerbaijan for the successful legal amendment on employment of refugees and access to healthcare insurance. With growing forced displacement world-wide, it is important more than ever that refugees and asylum seekers receive our solidarity, compassion and support. They want nothing more than protection and the opportunity to make a decent living away from home to support themselves, their families and be part of their host communities. In that regard, UNHCR continues advocating for securing legal status for refugees and asylum seekers living in Azerbaijan, as well as ensuring durable solutions prospects in the form of voluntary return in safety and dignity for Internally Displaced Persons. “Some of the refugees were born or arrived as small children in Azerbaijan and have a lot of potential to contribute to the development of Azerbaijani society if they are given the opportunity to integrate and therefore to secure a durable solution,” said Guido Ambroso, UNHCR Representative to Azerbaijan. “While progress has been made, more needs to be done to ensure legal status. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Azerbaijan as, after nearly three decades, hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons finally have the possibility to achieve a durable solution by returning to their lands. World Refugee Day is the day to celebrate refugees’ contributions to communities, their unique experience, resilience and bravery in overcoming the toughest hardships the wars and conflicts can bring.

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Story

02 February 2021

UN releases USD 2 million to support emergency humanitarian response in conflict-affected areas of Azerbaijan

The United Nations has released USD 2 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the UN’s ongoing humanitarian response to temporarily displaced people in the conflict-affected areas of Azerbaijan. Following the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement, UN resident agencies in Azerbaijan have been providing initial support in the areas of food, shelter, hygiene, preparation for winter, mine risk awareness, access to healthcare, psychosocial support, and education, “The CERF funding will scale up UN agencies’ ongoing activities to help the conflict-affected people return to normal life ,” said Ghulam Isaczai, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan. “We will continue working closely with the Government of Azerbaijan, civil society, and other stakeholders to meet the urgent needs of the highly vulnerable population, especially women and children.” The CERF allocation builds on the results of a rapid inter-agency assessment that the UN Country Team conducted in the conflict-affected areas with the support of the Government of Azerbaijan. The funding will help to provide shelter and non-food items to the affected population; assist in the coordination of demining activities; and deliver essential medicines and medical equipment, as well as mental health and psychosocial services. The UN Country Team in Azerbaijan in partnership with government agencies carried out several preliminary needs assessment missions in conflict-affected areas and has been providing its assistance in the following areas: Health: WHO and UNFPA have delivered personal protective equipment and emergency kits to families in conflict-affected areas, as well as supported the continuation of primary healthcare services despite the COVID-19 and conflict-induced strains on 60 medical facilities. Shelter and core relief items: UNHCR mobilized USD 1.5 million to secure non-food items, including tents, blankets and mattresses, and is currently mobilizing USD400 thousand to provide as cash-based interventions. Psychosocial support: Most of the 40,000 temporarily displaced people have suffered immense stress and anxiety, especially children. Given the severe shortage of medical staff and absence of psychology professionals in the conflict-hit areas, both WHO and UNICEF are training psychology counsellors to support mental health services at hospitals and schools. Mine risk action: A joint UNDP-UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) assessment mission was undertaken recently in close coordination with ANAMA, the national mine action agency, to assess mines and unexploded ordinance contaminations in several of the conflict-affected districts. UNDP, UNMAS, and UNICEF are currently working with the government to improve awareness of mine risk; support the Government’s demining strategy; and strengthen ANAMA’s capacity. CERF – managed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator on behalf of the UN Secretary-General - is one of the fastest and most effective ways to help people affected by crises. Since its creation, it has assisted hundreds of millions of people with more than $6.5 billion across 104 countries and territories. This would have not been possible without generous and consistent donor support.

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Story

01 November 2023

Youth in Vocational Education: Five skills at Once

18-year-old Ozjan Ibrahimov is simultaneously a talented tailor, a teacher’s assistant, a young man who makes money from his favorite profession, a self-taught writer and a successful graduate. How did Ozjan master these different skills? Let’s take a look at the past recent year and get to know how Ozjan succeeded to wear many hats. Ozjan studies at the Ganja State Vocational Education Center on Industry and Technologies, closely assists teachers in giving lessons on inclusive courses and herewith, works after school. After graduating from the 9th grade of upper secondary school, Ozjan decides to apply for vocational education. He has finished his 3-year tailoring faculty. “I can say that this vocation chose me rather than I chose it. Actually, I applied to study cooking but was admitted to tailoring. I don’t regret it, on the contrary, it is great. Currently, I work as a dress cutter in one of the city’s prestigious clothing stores. This vocational education center is one of the vocational education and training institutions benefiting from the “VET for the Future” project funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the State Agency on Vocational Education (SAVE). The project collaborates with 8 different vocational education institutions in Baku, Ganja, Jalilabad, and Shaki. The project aims to support the modernisation of vocational education and training (VET) providers in Azerbaijan and increase the labour market relevance of vocational education. Ozjan is one of the hundreds of students who have benefited from the new opportunities provided by that project and is quite satisfied with his current specialty. “If we crack our eyes open and look around, we will see a lot of our young people wasting the best treasure they have which is time. Based on my experience, I can tell my peers that everyone should do the work they love. There is a wonderful educational institution for this, and they must consciously benefit from this opportunity.” It was no coincidence that in 2019, the tailor workshop meeting the latest international standards was established with the support of an earlier vocational project funded by the EU and jointly implemented by UNDP and SAVE. To continue this activity, as part of the current project, teaching resources were updated, and according training series were arranged for the teaching staff. As a result of the increasing demand and interest in tailoring there is already an opportunity to study “Fashion Design” faculty at a high VET level. Students can also use the career services created by the project. Preparedness for future’s changing challenges and mastering new skills take a significant place on today’s global development agenda. The 8th and 10th of the Sustainable Development Goals focus, respectively, on decent work and reducing inequalities. To achieve these goals, special emphasis is placed on education and skill development. In this sense, vocational education helps to increase the employment opportunities of young people by facilitating access to various trainings. Also, through its teaching form, VET can contribute to the development of competent professionals in a short time while contributing to a sustainable economy and a better future in general. In this light, taking you back how Ozjan continued his journey. Along with graduating from the short-term inclusive tailoring course arranged by the Project, Ozjan also joined the newly opened courses, but this time as not a student but a teacher’s assistant. “On inclusive courses, I assist our teachers” A total of 33 persons studied tailoring here, including 8 students with disabilities. Along with this specialty, a total of 90 people benefited from the hairdresser and computer operator courses. In Ganja, 66 students have successfully completed the course and 18 people with disabilities (PwD) are among these successful graduates. With the EU’s financial support, the project organised inclusive VET courses in 3 vocational education institutions located not only in Ganja, but also the capital Baku. The courses were arranged in 10 different vocations, including computer operator, social media management, SQL (programming language), floristry, pottery, stained glass, tailoring, hairdresser, confectionery, and chef. Participation in the courses was carried out through certain selection stages. Also, a pre-upskilling programme was organised for the instructors who will teach in these courses in order to increase their knowledge and skills on inclusive education. 60 specialists across the country, including teachers, training masters, and assisting personnel have improved their educational methods suitable for students with special needs. The courses were attended by people aged from 15 up to 62. As a result, a total of 400 people, including 94 PwD (people with disabilities) benefited from the short-term courses. Thanks to the skills gained from the courses, 46 people started new jobs. Taking into account the successful results and demand, the project will support the opening of the next inclusive group. Proudly talking about his specialty, Ozjan shares the cause for his interest in this work: “I like to create a new style, a new design, and the best aspect of this art is that everything depends on you, you can create whatever you want,” he stresses. He states his wish to bring completely unusual styles to Azerbaijan, create alternative designs, and present them to the people: “it’s wonderful when people like the clothes you create, isn’t it?” “My further plans are a bit vague since I am also a writer. I have written 2 novel volumes, and my further plans include both becoming a writer and a tailor, creating new lines and a different style… Currently, I am studying, working, and earning money” (he proudly notes). In fact, both plans are based on the desire to create. Those who are or want to be creative, or who want to express themselves freely choose vocational education. Ozjan believes that he can make himself and other people happy by creating new things. He also tried other ways to make people happy. On this point, Ozjan candidly supported his fellow students with limited health conditions and encouraged them to choose VET and continue in their work. One of them is Ahmad. “We were informed that there is such an opportunity in this enterprise, so we came and got interested. Actually, I didn’t want to come to the class at first, but then the course participants, specially Ozjan, supported me and after seeing the environment here, I liked it. Everyone helps each other here. I joined the classes 3 times a week for 2 months” says Ahmad. “After finishing the 9th grade, I also received 2 years of vocational education in auto plumbing, though I have been familiar with sewing since I was a child. Sewing calms a person, I enjoy it. I would like to mention that the new equipment provided in this workshop also encouraged me to work in this area. Everything here is just modern and new”. Ahmad, who is now 30 years old, plans to level up his skills in this vocation and work as a tailor. “People should not shy away, regardless of whether there are more women or men in any vocation, they should come to VET, they will like it,” he concludes his conversation with the piece of advice. Raviyya Aliyeva sharing the same educational path as Ozjan was also enrolled to the same vocational education center after completing the 9th grade of school. She also successfully completed the short-term courses here. Being this year’s graduate herself, Raviyya notes that her relatives recommended this specialty to her, but she was also interested in it from the very beginning. “I like to design clothes using my imagination,” Raviyya says. Like her colleague Ozjan, she assists in teaching of the mentioned courses attended by students with all abilities. “VET for the Future” project works with the aim 1) to introduce innovations in vocational education institutions, 2) improve infrastructure in the VET providers, 3) strengthen networking in vocational education, and 4) improve the prestige and visibility of vocational education and training in Azerbaijan. If you want to know further about the project or are about to choose your career, you can learn more on the vocational education opportunities using the hashtag #PeşəiləMümkündür (meaning: it’s possible with VET).

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01 November 2023

Vocational Education Changes Life: a rising star from village to the global arena

Ibrahim Gulaliyev was born in Kurdamir and worked as a shepherd in the Boyukkangarli village for many years. Now he is very keen to master new skills that meet the market demands. Isn’t this the most important point? If you are willing to learn, you can do everything! What is Ibrahim currently doing and studying? Ibrahim is one of our students participating in the Dual Vocational Education Programme. He successfully completed the work-based learning (WBL) programme with the support of the Azerbaijan Chefs Guild. The Dual Vocational Education Programme is supported by the “VET for the Future” project funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme together with the State Agency on Vocational Education. Before getting to know Ibrahim better, let’s clarify what the Dual Education Programme is. The Dual Education Programme is an educational approach enabling students to master practical skills in leading companies in parallel with the acquisition of theoretical knowledge in vocational educational (VE) institutions during the academic year. As part of the programme, students learn theoretical knowledge in VE institutions during the first one month. Starting from the 2nd month, they acquire theoretical knowledge in VE institutions for 2 days of the week, and for the rest 3 days of the week, they are getting practical skills in the workplace. After Ibrahim decided to become a chef, he applied to the Baku State Vocational Education Center for Culture and Crafts and received admission for the dual programme. Sabina Maharramova (first person in the right corner of the photo), Ibrahim’s teacher at the vocational education center, says: “Ibrahim has been very goal-oriented since day one. He was really determined to become a professional chef and tried to learn from everyone. He constantly put efforts and consulted with professionals to improve his work. Today’s great result is primarily Ibrahim’s, also everyone’s success. We are also very happy to see the outcome of our work. I must mention that Ibrahim took his first steps in his profession at our center, but he became more competent after he got acquainted with the professional chef Ilkin Akbarzadeh and receiving his support.” During the academic year of 2022, Ibrahim joined the Dual Education Programme and for around 9 months, he learnt the cooking secrets from the chairman of the Baku Culinary Association and Azerbaijan Chefs Guild Ilkin Akbarzada in one of the famous city restaurants. Ibrahim’s mentor Ilkin Hanifa notes, “Ibrahim mastered new knowledge and skills very enthusiastically and quickly. He has met our expectations with his responsibility and professional approach to work and made the best showing. As a result, İbrahim has already been officially employed at the place of his internship.” “As the Guild of Chefs, we always try to support youth and collaborate with various vocational training centers and projects. Ibrahim is among the successful results we have achieved together with the #VET4theFuture project,” he adds. Ibrahim makes his dream of becoming a chef come true through dual vocational education and spend the non-school hours to improve his professional skills. Ibrahim stresses that he acquired new friends and additional skills at work. These changes inspire him to turn new dreams and aspirations into reality. In the future, he sees himself as a professional chef working in different countries. As it seems, unlike traditional vocational education, in the Dual Education Programme, students can apply theoretical knowledge at the private enterprises in real working conditions and become a professional. This process continues throughout their academic year. During work-based learning period, students have an opportunity to better introduce themselves to employers, and as a result, many students receive job offers at the end of their studies. Ultimately, all these actions in modernization of vocational education directly contribute to Azerbaijan’s achievement of several sustainable development goals, such as quality education (SDG 4), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), as well as reducing inequalities (SDG 10). The dual education approach creates new opportunities for not only students’ future employment but also for vocational education centers and private companies. This mechanism allows employers to train their future employees at lower costs and in a shorter time and enables VET centers to customise their curriculums according to the market requirements. In general, dual education helps to save time and resources for the training of qualified and competent VET staff and contributes to overall employment growth. By involving key employers to the vocational education process, the dual programme leads to innovative collaborations, and eventually supports the economy while promoting more agile and modern work principles. Currently, the “VET for the Future” project collaborates with numerous private enterprises located in Baku, Ganja, Jalilabad, Lankaran, and Shaki. As part of this collaboration, 573 students (40% women, 60% men) studied in various professions such as tourism, retail, transport, furniture manufacture, and media. In total, over 70% of the graduates have been officially offered jobs. Thanks to the project efforts, 32 companies were involved to this programme during the last two academic years. 41 mentors from 8 vocational education institutions and 126 from the private sector joined forces for training of students in 24 different vocations. The programme covered 5 cities and supported continuous learning & employment opportunities of youth. If you also want to learn professional skills and find a job in a shorter time, check out the dual vocational education programme and seize its opportunities. The dual programme is planned to be also continued the next year. This dual programme is carried out by the “VET for the future: development of VET providers’ excellence in Azerbaijan” project funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP with SAVE. The project aims to support the modernisation of VET providers in Azerbaijan and increase the labour market relevance of vocational education.

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12 May 2023

Upgrading traditional techniques boosts production of famous Azerbaijani tomatoes

Farmers have joined together to update time-honoured practices and increase yields Tomatoes from the village of Sayad on Azerbaijan’s Caspian Sea attract buyers from far and wide but now an initiative by FAO and the EU has been helping the farmers improve their livelihoods by reviving and building on traditional agricultural techniques. Sayad village is one of the most ancient settlements nestling on the Caspian Sea coast of Azerbaijan’s Khachmaz district. It’s long been famous for its numerous varieties of succulent tomatoes thanks to the farmers’ careful cultivation of the crop and the sunny climate. But something new and transformative is happening. Farmers are reviving and building on their region’s traditional agricultural techniques, such as crop rotation, with the help of training and support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union. At the heart of this change is the formation of farmer groups based on commodities. As a tomato farmer, Hikmet Azizov is a member of the "Field Tomato" commodity-based agricultural advisory services group created in the village. He says the weekly trainings provided under the FAO Strengthening Agrarian Advisory Services (SAAS) initiative helped him with new knowledge about plant breeding, irrigation and environmentally friendly fertilizers. Hikmet says the farming methods they have been using hitherto, "have served us well, but thanks to this project, I can now see a brighter future for myself and my family. We have seen improved yields, cost savings and better returns for our hard work. It is truly a blessing," Hikmat comments. In the group, the tomato farmers learned about methods for "planting on beds," or growing vegetables, herbs and other plants, in dedicated areas of soil that are separated from the rest of the garden, making it easier to access and tend to the plants and to help control weeds and soil erosion. They also got detailed explanations of one of Azerbaijan's most common forms of traditional organic farming, which is crop rotation, or planting different crops in the same field over time, which can help prevent soil erosion and reduce pests. The combination of these methods can help preserve the country’s biodiversity while helping increase crop yields, reduce the need for chemical inputs and provide a healthier and more nutritious food source. Among the techniques farmers have learned about in the groups set up to provide advice and technical support is crop rotation and “planting on beds” separate from other crops for better access and weed control. With several tomato varieties grown in the village, including the "Aslan", "Sayad" and "Shishburun" all known for their juicy, sweet flavour and succulent texture, people from nearby and even far-off regions flock to the village to load up with the crop. Yet farmer Vasif Kalbaliyev says that despite his hard work and dedication, he has often struggled to keep up with the latest advances and stay competitive. He was always looking for ways to increase his yield and improve the quality of his produce, but, he says, it seemed as if he was “constantly running into a brick wall”. Expressing his gratitude to the EU funded FAO project, Vasif says he’s been able to increase his yield and improve the quality of his tomatoes. He has even expanded his business and started selling his tomatoes to other markets and is also a member of the "Field Tomato" advisory group and the owner of the village’s tomato demonstration site. Farmers say the initiative has helped them increase their yields and improve the quality, boosting their incomes and giving them access to wider markets. Tailored to commodities The initiative in Sayad is one of seven different commodity-based advisory groups set up under the SAAS project. The other groups focus on sorghum, sunflowers, apples, sour cherries, plums and greenhouse tomatoes as opposed to Sayad’s open field tomatoes. Each have their own facilitators and agronomists and if the experts in the group don’t have the answers themselves, they help the farmers by contacting other specialists who can be of assistance. “Initially, farmers were skeptical about the approach and the facilitators’ role. However, after being part of the discussions, they obtained relevant advice and witnessed some positive results. Farmers became increasingly involved and more were interested in joining the platform,” said Vugar Bashirov, FAO’s project coordinator in the country. The project has developed a five-year strategy for strengthening agricultural advisory services in Azerbaijan, making sure the farmers have access to up-to-date best practices and guidance from a mix of public and private sector advisors, without the need for additional funding from government. The new model will be put to the test in a three-year plan for developing SAAS in pilot regions. “With the valuable support from the European Union and all the experts we have on board, we are making important strides towards helping more and more Azeri farmers get the best out of their crops and their land and improving their livelihoods in a sustainable way going forward,” says Bariz Mehdiyev, the Assistant FAO Representative in Azerbaijan. Learn more Website: FAO country profile: Azerbaijan Website: Strengthening Agrarian Advisory Services (SAAS) Story: A mentor for women farmers in Azerbaijan

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28 March 2023

Climate-Smart Agriculture Shows Promise in Improving Azerbaijan’s Cotton Productivity

Researchers and farmers in Azerbaijan, implementing climate-smart agricultural practices based on nuclear and related techniques, have been able to more than double their yields of cotton production in a project supported by the IAEA in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Through the use of a new variety called “cotton super”, combined with carefully implemented CSA practices which help to understand how to sustainably increase agricultural productivity, the pilot project has seen yields increase from the country’s average of three tonnes per hectare to eight tonnes per hectare. Implemented in 2021, the pilot, part of an IAEA technical cooperation project, focused on developing climate-smart agricultural guidelines for cotton production, training Azerbaijani researchers and progressive farmers in climate-smart agricultural practices and designing on-farm demonstration trials. A further project, initiated in 2022 and focusing on strengthening best practices in soil, nutrient, and water management agricultural practices for cotton production, aims to help improve cotton productivity, as Azerbaijan’s land is particularly vulnerable to climate change and soil degradation. The country’s average annual temperature has risen by 0.4 degrees Celsius since 1991, with decreasing rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts or heat waves. “Generally speaking, 60 per cent of improvement in crop productivity comes from capitalising on the strategic application of soil nutrients and water management,” said Mohammad Zaman, a soil scientist at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and Technical Officer of the project. “It’s about the right amount, in the right way, at the right growth stage.” Climate-smart agricultural practices involve the use of isotopic techniques to obtain essential information on how to optimize fertilizer use and increase the efficiency of agricultural production while maintaining soil health. “When we started, Azerbaijan’s soils were heavily degraded, the fertility was very poor, and so the soil did not have the capacity to provide all the essential nutrients required for the cotton growth,” Zaman said. To address this, IAEA experts developed a complete package of nuclear and related farming techniques: from preparing soil and selecting the best cotton varieties to applying nutrients and irrigation to cotton fields and ensuring weed, pest and disease control. “Applying improved soil, nutrient and water management practices along with using 'cotton super' variety has led us to increase our cotton productivity, quality and profit,” said Sakhavat Mammadov, a farmer from Azerbaijan who took part in the pilot project and has been using CSA practices on his farm for the last two years. Using a stable isotope nitrogen-15, scientists collect quantitative data about how much nitrogen fertilizers cotton needs and how effectively they are taken up by the plant. (Photo: M. Zaman/IAEA) Nuclear and related techniques help not only in increasing agricultural productivity but also in building resilience of agriculture systems to climate change. In Azerbaijan, the researchers used a technique involving nitrogen-15 (N-15), a stable isotope. Nitrogen plays an important role in plant growth and photosynthesis — the process whereby plants convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into plant food. Zaman explained that a lack of nutrients in the soil, such as nitrogen, leads to low and less nutritious yields. Excessive or incorrect application of nitrogen fertilizers, on the other hand, contributes to emissions of greenhouse gases and pollution of surface and groundwater. “Cotton in Azerbaijan is expected to be one of the crops experiencing the greatest yield decline due to climate change and rapid soil degradation,” Zaman said. “Taking advantage of isotopic techniques, such as the use of N-15, can help adapt to this situation, making the cotton sector more competitive as well as ensuring employment and improving the welfare of the rural population.” Azerbaijan has in the past been a leading producer and major exporter of cotton, harvesting more than 830,000 tonnes in the 1980s, which provided up to a quarter of the country’s income. However, the transition to a free market and the rapid growth of other industries in the 1990s contributed to cotton losing its key role in Azerbaijan's economy, with production falling to a record low of 31,000 tonnes in 2009. The project outcome shows the significant potential of climate-smart practices in increasing agricultural productivity. “Considering the total cotton growing areas of 105,000 hectares in Azerbaijan, a 10 per cent adoption of the IAEA climate-smart agricultural practices would produce 84,000 tonnes of cotton compared to 31,500 tonnes, representing a 166 per cent increase over conventional cotton farming practices,” Zaman said. “Seeing the extraordinary success in applying climate-smart agricultural practices in this project, provides an exciting indication and tremendous promise on how it can help Azerbaijan to increase their cotton production significantly and thus, greatly impact Azerbaijani economy.” The IAEA, through its technical cooperation programme and through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, assists countries in applying climate-smart agricultural methods to increase productivity, adapting agricultural systems to climate change and reducing their impact on the environment. The Joint Centre also supports research in this area. In a coordinated research project focused on the use of climate-smart nuclear solutions to help minimize the farming impacts on climate , scientists from Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Iran and Pakistan reported a 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases. Other climate-smart agricultural practices are helping to develop balanced diet solutions for livestock amid recurring droughts in Angola; to improve water use and nutrient management on soils in Kenya; and to combat soil erosion in Tunisia.

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24 February 2023

How WHO is supporting Azerbaijan in improving rehabilitation and assistive technology services

Rehabilitation allows women, men and children of all ages to be as independent as possible in everyday activities, enabling participation in education, work, recreation, and meaningful life roles, such as taking care of family. Similarly, access to vital assistive technology (AT) can help people see and hear better, help people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities interact more effectively with others, and support people with psychosocial disabilities to manage and work through difficult times. In Azerbaijan, the government has committed to strengthening and scaling up rehabilitation and AT services and is developing a comprehensive roadmap to do so. WHO/Europe is actively supporting these efforts by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population. Supporting rehabilitation and AT efforts In the last 2 years, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Norway, WHO has promoted several rehabilitation and AT activities in Azerbaijan, including a rapid-AT Assessment (r-ATA) household survey that collected information from 5597 respondents across 1156 households in 8 economic zones in Azerbaijan. The results of the r-ATA survey were extremely useful in providing key information about the demand for AT in the country. On a global scale, WHO is implementing ambitious initiatives to strengthen rehabilitation in health systems and scale up access to AT products and services. The initiatives aim to improve people’s functioning, which in turn leads to greater participation and improved quality of life, especially for persons with disabilities or noncommunicable diseases, as well as healthy ageing. Assessing rehabilitation and AT services in Azerbaijan A team of WHO experts recently assessed the current state of rehabilitation and AT services in Azerbaijan using 2 WHO standardized tools: the Systematic Assessment of the Rehabilitation Situation (STARS) and the Assistive Technology Capacity Assessment (ATA-C). The team also provided technical assistance in integrating rehabilitation and AT into a national action plan. Results from the assessment were shared with different government authorities, people who need access to vital rehabilitation and AT services, and groups of service providers. Their feedback has been collected and will feed into a list of recommendations that will help further develop the Government of Azerbaijan’s rehabilitation and AT strategy and, ultimately, the national roadmap for health.

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Press Release

29 November 2023

First-ever female demining teams in Azerbaijan officially accredited

Eighteen newly trained female deminers received their accreditation certificates during the closing ceremony in Baku with participation of high-level officials from ANAMA, the European Union, UNDP, and other officials. The event aimed to present certificates to the accredited deminers after successfully completing six-week trainings in line with the International Mine Action Standards. This accreditation enables them to start demining operations in fields. Through the theoretical and practical trainings, the teams of female deminers acquired the foundational knowledge, necessary skills and the required code of conduct to recognize, detect and mark mines and unexploded ordnance, and to provide first aid. The training series was conducted by the international experts of the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) non-governmental organization. As a result of the process, 2 demining teams of 24 people, including 18 deminers, 2 healthcare workers, 2 team leaders and 2 deputy team leaders were accredited. In the same manner, 12 rats and 8 demining dogs were trained within the Project and all of them successfully passed the accreditation. In his opening speech, Mr. Vugar Suleymanov, the Chairman of the Board of ANAMA, congratulated the participants who successfully passed the trainings and wished them success in their responsible activities. In his turn, Mr. Peter Michalko, the EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan, stressed that this initiative promotes the values of the European Union, where women and men must enjoy equal opportunities, capabilities, and knowledge: “I am proud to announce that the European Union has played a leading role in establishing the very first women demining team in the country”, he concluded the speech. Ms. Alessandra Roccasalvo, the UNDP Resident Representative a.i., noted that humanitarian demining is a critical part of UNDP’s development efforts in Azerbaijan and is one of the top priorities that the organization shares and works on with the Government: “Involvement of women in such an important activity as humanitarian demining is especially essential and will make many contributions towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals." The trainings of the first-ever female demining team were organized as part of the Supporting Safe Return of Internally Displaced People Through Capacity Building of Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) project funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP in partnership with ANAMA and the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) and MAG. The Project aims to support the humanitarian mine action operations carried out in Azerbaijan and to draw attention to the importance of gender equality in the fight against the mine threat.

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Press Release

24 November 2023

ADA University and UNDP kicked-off 4-day training on Climate Change Adaptation Measures in water and coastal areas

The UNDP under the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project is teaming up with ADA University and Institute for Development and Diplomacy to conduct a four-day training session. The event, titled "Climate Change Adaptation in water and coastal areas," is scheduled to take place from November 21st to 24th at the ADA University administrative building with the support of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The main objective of the training initiative is to enhance the capacity of technical personnel operating in various government agencies. By bringing together international and local consultants, the organizers aim to provide a platform for knowledge exchange and skill development in the critical area of climate change adaptation. The training program envisages a diverse range of topics that will be covered during the four-day session. These include vulnerability assessment techniques, the impacts of climate change on the water sector, strategies for Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in coastal areas, and the intersection of climate change and gender. Participants will also discuss climate change scenarios and their implications for sustainable development. “To achieve effective results in the process of preparing the Climate Change Adaptation Plan, it is very important to study and analyze climate impacts and vulnerability at the technical level”, said on the sidelines of the training session Mr. Zaur Aliyev, the UNDP National Adaptation Plan Project Manager. “During the trainings, the participants will be informed about the process and structure of the adaptation plans, as well as CC adaptation measures of different countries. I believe this knowledge will play a substantial role in achieving tangible results in the preparation of both national and rayon-level adaptation plans. This type of training session is especially crucial for making a meaningful contribution to climate resilience and adaptation,” he added. The training is a part of climate change adaptation efforts initiated by the GCF-funded National Adaptation Plan Project (NAP). The project supports the Government of Azerbaijan to facilitate such initiative in three key sectors – water, agriculture, and coastal areas identified as top priorities through stakeholder consultations conducted by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

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24 November 2023

UNHCR expands cooperation to enhance the access of asylum seekers and stateless to the Azerbaijani justice system

UNHCR Azerbaijan has organized a workshop in collaboration with the State Migration Service, Ministry of Justice, and Judicial-Legal Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan devoted to the improvement of the access of asylum seekers and stateless persons to the Azerbaijani justice system. The aim of the workshop "Enhancing the Access of Asylum Seekers and Stateless Persons to the National Justice System of Azerbaijan" is to promote international guidelines and recommendations concerning the legal entitlements of asylum seekers and stateless individuals, as well as discuss the quality of the appeal component of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Procedure. The workshop brought together judges, lawyers, representatives of government authorities, university professors, and specialists from the UNHCR Baku office. Welcoming the participants, UNHCR Country Representative Bik Lum highlighted the importance of taking concrete steps to promote access of vulnerable groups to national justice systems: “It is crucial to identify obstacles they face, break down those barriers, respond to unmet legal needs and use justice as prevention of human rights violation.” The participants convened to discuss pivotal topics regarding refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. Topics included national asylum referral mechanisms, the judicial system's role concerning asylum-seekers, the right to an effective remedy, the significance of Country-of-Origin Information, and the identification of social groups in Afghanistan, with a special focus on women's rights. The second day of the workshop, dedicated to national practices in documenting stateless persons and those at risk of statelessness, aligned seamlessly with the international legal framework on nationality and statelessness. Achievements and positive court precedents concerning documentation of persons at risk of statelessness in Azerbaijan were highlighted. The topics aimed to contribute to the #IBelong campaign which is a global initiative underscoring the goal of ending statelessness and emphasizing the importance of multilateral efforts to address the challenge. As a result of the two-day-long workshop, lawyers and judges had an opportunity to present trending issues concerning asylum seekers and stateless individuals from their own perspectives, analyze challenges, and suggest possible solutions within the national legal framework.

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20 November 2023

FAO conducted irrigation systems trainings in 6 economic regions of Azerbaijan

In October and November, the Partnership and Liaison Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Azerbaijan conducted training sessions jointly with The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan for local farmers in 11 districts, namely Tovuz, Shamkir, Goychay, Kurdamir, Sabirabad, Beylagan, Imishli, Lankaran, Bilasuvar, Yevlakh, and Shaki. These sessions benefited approximately 275 farmers, covering various aspects of modern irrigation systems, including discussions on potential challenges. The initiative to provide courses on water management and irrigation was launched in response to a survey targeting irrigation farmers in six economic regions of Azerbaijan. The survey, conducted by FAO Azerbaijan in December 2022, involved 312 respondents and aimed to identify concerns related to water supply, assess climate change awareness, evaluate farmer satisfaction with modern irrigation systems, investigate farmer concerns regarding the transition to modern irrigation systems, and explore incentives for farmers to pay for irrigation water, among other aspects. Training materials were developed for organizing regional training sessions based on the findings of this survey. The training sessions, held at State Agrarian Development Centers (DAIM), included presentations by experts on water-related issues globally and locally. The correct methods of irrigation to avoid water problems and enhance crop production were discussed. Various irrigation methods, irrigation tools, their usage, and the benefits of incorporating them in the fields were demonstrated. Study materials, including information on irrigation methods, were distributed during these sessions. It is important to note that the training activities, which commenced in October and concluded in November, were carried out under the TCP/AZE/3801 "Improved Water Governance: Towards Sustainable Agricultural Development" project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

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20 November 2023

FAO and MoA hosted an international conference on the development of hazelnut cultivation in Azerbaijan

Within the framework of the project "Catalyzing the Efficiency and Sustainability of Azerbaijan’s Hazelnut Sector – HAZER," the Partnership and Liaison Office of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MoA), organized an international conference on "Unlocking Hazelnut Potential: Innovative Approaches to Enhance Yield, Quality and Export Volume". The aim of the conference was to share global experiences in the hazelnut sector, explore innovations, and provide a platform by bringing different stakeholders together. The findings and results presented during this conference serve as the primary objectives, forming a crucial groundwork for potential advancements within the sector. The event held on 15 November 2023 was attended by the representatives of the MoA and other state institutions, as well as the international and private sector, and local and international experts. Mr. Azad Jafarli, who delivered the opening speech at the beginning of the event held in a hybrid format, expressed the state's support in the field of agrarian development and emphasized the importance of establishing a solid foundation for increasing rural employment and reducing poverty levels. Additionally, when discussing the comparative analysis over the years, the Chief of Staff of the MoA highlighted that "in 2022, the area of hazelnut orchards increased by 2.5 times compared to 2015, and by 1.4% compared to 2021." Mr. Azad Jafarli emphasized the activities carried out within the framework of cooperation with FAO and expressed confidence that the agricultural policy's objectives would yield positive outcomes in this regard. Mr. Bariz Mehdiyev, the deputy representative of FAO in Azerbaijan, delivered the opening speech, discussing FAO's activities in the country, including efforts to ensure food security, develop sustainable agriculture and food systems, and collaborate with the government. Mr. Mehdiyev highlighted hazelnuts as a key export commodity and a major contributor to the country's economy. He mentioned that in 2020, a project was initiated with the MoA to enhance hazelnut production efficiency and improve the quality of the harvested hazelnuts. Throughout the project, Mr. Mehdiyev explained that various measures were implemented to reduce aflatoxin contamination in hazelnuts, aligning their quality with global market standards. Additionally, he mentioned the use of drones and satellites to map hazelnut fields, achieving several milestones in the process. Mr. Mehdiyev emphasized the significant role of the agricultural sector in the socio-economic development strategy for 2022-2026. He expressed satisfaction with the achievements and successes in the agricultural sector, as highlighted by Mr. Jafarli in his speech. Speaking about the current trends in the hazelnut market in the world, the experts highlighted the importance of the development of the hazelnut sector in the country's economy, as well as the related challenges. The first-panel discussion of the event, "Threats and opportunities in the hazelnut production sector, the example of Azerbaijan," the second-panel discussion "Innovations along the value chain," and the last panel discussion "Providing services for a competitive sector," partners exchanged views, prospects of future cooperation were discussed, and a number of issues related to the development of the hazelnut sector were touched upon. At the end of the panel discussions, representatives of FAO and MoA provided the final remarks and next steps. Following the conference, a guided tour of the Old City was arranged for the international guests, concluding the day with a gala dinner. It's worth highlighting that the implementation of the HAZER project has once more underscored the importance of supporting local government institutions to contribute to the hazelnut sector in Azerbaijan.

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