Supreme Audit's Impact on SDG Implementation in Azerbaijan

The Third Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Dialogue “Reflections on the Outcome of the Global SDG Summit 2023 and the Role of Supreme Audit Institutions in SDGs Implementation” took place in Baku on October 24.

The National Coordinating Council for Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Economy, and the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Azerbaijan collaborated on this joint initiative that involved more than 100 representatives from various sectors, including government agencies, international financial institutions, diplomatic community, civil society, academia, and the private sector.

“At the conclusion of the 2023 SDG Summit, member states – including Azerbaijan - adopted Political Declaration, committing to united efforts, political will and firm actions to advance concrete, integrated and targeted policies, and actions… pledge to act now, for present and future generations, turning our world towards a sustainable and resilient path by 2030, and leaving no one behind,” Vladanka Andreeva, the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan.

“At the conclusion of the 2023 SDG Summit, member states – including Azerbaijan - adopted Political Declaration, committing to united efforts, political will and firm actions to advance concrete, integrated and targeted policies, and actions… pledge to act now, for present and future generations, turning our world towards a sustainable and resilient path by 2030, and leaving no one behind,” Vladanka Andreeva, the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan stated.

Vladanka Andreeva stated that the United Nations would continue to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to achieve inclusive and sustainable development based on the commitments made during the SDG summit held in September 2023. It was also noted that the UN is pleased to welcome Azerbaijan's plans to submit the Fourth Voluntary National Review of SDG implementation in 2024 and is ready to support this critical activity.

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov and the National Coordinating Council for Sustainable Development Chairman updated the participants on Azerbaijan's progress towards achieving the SDGs. Ali Ahmadov said Azerbaijan's national development priorities until 2030 and the socio-economic development strategy for 2022‒2026 are closely aligned with SDGs.

“Discussions held within international cooperation platforms can improve the likelihood of an appropriate response to global challenges. In Azerbaijan, comprehensive measures are effectively being implemented to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhance the standard of living for our population, thus lifting our country to a new level of development,” Ali Ahmadov said.

Noting the role of supreme audit institutions in the implementation of SDGs, Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov said that these institutions ensure the purposeful use of funds, as well as transparency and accountability in the implementation of the SDG.

“Global development priorities are being taken into account in the direction of the restoration of territories liberated from occupation, but the threat of landmines is the main obstacle in the rapid reintegration of these territories. President Ilham Aliyev initiated adding demining activities as the 18th Sustainable Development Goal to the 2030 Agenda of the UN, and a draft of the relevant SDG was prepared and presented to the local and international community,” Sahib Mammadov said.

The event focused on the review of SDG financing trends in Azerbaijan, as well as the role of higher audit institutions in monitoring the effectiveness of state spending for SDGs. Chairman of the Supreme Audit Institution of Azerbaijan Vugar Gulmammadov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, member of the Azerbaijani delegation at the Global SDG Summit Yalchin Rafiyev, Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Audit Institution of Brazil, who chairs the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), Valton Alencar Rodrigues regarding the trends in financing of the SDG expressed their opinion.

High-level dialogue continued its work with panel sessions. General Director of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan Ziya Aliyev, Deputy Minister of Finance Azer Bayramov, World Bank country manager in Azerbaijan Stefani Shtalmeister, members of the National Coordinating Council for Sustainable Development and representatives of higher audit institutions, commercial banks and the private sector from other countries took part in the discussions.