Opening remarks by the UN Resident Coordinator at 2nd SDG Dialogue on “Towards 2030: Social and economic inclusiveness in Azerbaijan”

Excellencies, Distinguished participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the great pleasure to welcome you all today, to the Second SDG Dialogue, organized in partnership with the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan.

Today we are continuing the “SDG Dialogues” a joint platform for key stakeholders – the Government, the UN, private sector, civil society, International Financial Institutions, and development partners to catalyze knowledge and facilitate innovative solutions in support of implementation of SDG commitments and Azerbaijan national priorities for socio-economic development.

I would like to use this opportunity to thank Deputy Prime Minister Ahmadov and the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan for their leadership and partnership in this endeavor.  

I would also like to extend gratitude to UN colleagues from UNICEF, UNFPA and my office, who together with the Secretariat of the National Coordination Council, have done the analytical work in preparation for the dialog.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Building on the recommendation from the first SDG Dialogue held in November last year, the 2nd Sustainable Development Dialogue is dedicated to “Social and economic inclusiveness in Azerbaijan”.

The choice of this theme is very timely :

Dynamic, inclusive society based on social justice has been identified as one of the five priority directions of “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development” and the "Strategy of Socio-Economic Development in 2022-2026”. 

Importantly, the defining principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – to leave no one behind – is a shared promise by every country to secure the rights and well-being of everyone, on a healthy, thriving planet.  But halfway to the 2030 deadline, that promise is in peril.

For the first time in decades, global development progress is reversing under the combined impacts of climate change, conflicts, economic downturn and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September this year, global leaders will come together at the UN General Assembly in New York for a global SDG Summit - a crucial opportunity to put the Sustainable Development Goals back on track and secure the breakthroughs and commitment needed to drive SDG acceleration between now and 2030.

Distinguished participants:

Despite the ongoing global trends, in the last two decades Azerbaijan has demonstrated strong economic performance with GDP per capita having grown 3.4 times between 2004 and 2022.   The country has achieved the eradication of extreme poverty and reduction of the national poverty level from 50% in 2001 down to 5.5% in 2022.

I would like to highlight Azerbaijan’s robust strategy to fight  COVID-19 pandemic and minimize its impact on the population and the private sector, with a support programme totaling to around 3.1% of GDP.

Government of Azerbaijan has made commendable efforts to reducing income inequalities by consistently increasing the minimum wage, pensions, and social benefits, as well as by adopting targeted programmes on socio-economic development of regions.

I am particularly pleased to see a specific national target on reduction of the gender wage gap in the Socio-economic development Strategy 2022-2026. Especially as there is a significant body of evidence confirming that the promotion of gender equality is key for inclusive and sustainable development.

The Government’s efforts on recovery and reconstruction of the regained territories are particularly important for ensuring durable solutions for internally displaced persons and their wellbeing.

The UN family is fully committed to support Azerbaijan’s aspirations to enhance social and economic inclusiveness in the country, including for SDG acceleration.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

While significant progress has been made by Azerbaijan in the achievement of SDGs and ensuring inclusive growth, some challenges remain which do require multi-stakeholder collaborative efforts.

I look forward to jointly discussing today the proposed pathways and solutions to further enhancing social and economic inclusiveness in Azerbaijan, and kindly invite you all to actively participate in the discussions.

Finally, I hope that the outcome from today’s SDG Dialogue would inform Azerbaijan’s National Commitments to SDG Transformation in the upcoming global SDG Summit in September 2023.

Thank you!