The conference, organized by the United Nations Office in Azerbaijan and National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development (NCCSD), aims to support Azerbaijan’s efforts in prioritising the SDGs, targets and indicators and in translating them into national context. It will also contribute to the preparations of the country’s 2019 Voluntary National Review to the UN High-Level Political Forum.

The event is co-chaired by Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the NCCSD, and Ghulam Isaczai, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan.

“This workshop is an excellent opportunity to bring together best local and international experts, government agency representatives, public sector and civil society to discuss the achievements made and challenges to be addressed in promoting and implementation of SDGs in Azerbaijan from a sustainable development perspective,” said Ghulam Isaczai.

“Local communities and stakeholders, who know individual and collective needs and capacities best, are critical partners in implementing and realizing Agenda 2030,” he added.

Participants will discuss best practices in nationalisation and localisation of the SDGs in different countries, as well as ways to address complex development issues in nationalisation of the SDGs. SDGs acceleration platforms for Azerbaijan, national mechanisms for providing data for the SDGs, as well as implementation of the 2030 Agenda in gender-responsive ways will be among the topics of discussions.

The working groups will focus on three SDGs acceleration platforms for Azerbaijan according to Baku principles: inclusive labour market, promoting gender growth and enhanced public and social service delivery.