United Nations and Government of Azerbaijan discuss implementation of cooperation framework

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and the Government of Azerbaijan have held the third meeting of the Joint Steering Committee of the UN-Azerbaijan Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva and Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov, have co-chaired the meeting, which brought together some 25 high-level officials from the Government and UNCT. The Steering Committee has reviewed the results of 2022, endorsed the joint work plans for 2023, and discussed challenges and opportunities to ensure the timely implementation of the framework.

In 2022, the activities focused on building resilience and restoring livelihoods for sustainable and green recoveries from both the pandemic and the conflict. Building human capital and transforming the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups, including women, children, youth, persons with disabilities and the elderly were among key projects. The year also witnessed investments to support strengthened social service systems, sustainable land and water management, climate change adaptation, gender equality, SDG data collection and analysis, as well as developing and implementing evidence-based strategies and policies.

The UNSDCF is the fifth UN-Azerbaijan cooperation framework for a period from 2021 to 2025. It identifies four priority areas for partnership: inclusive growth that reduces vulnerability and builds resilience; stronger institutions for better public and social services delivery; protecting the environment and addressing climate change; and achieving a gender-equitable society that empowers women and girls.