Speech by Vladanka Andreeva at DOST 2023 “A Single Platform for Providing Flexible, Innovative and Sustainable Services” event

• Mr. Sahil Babayev, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population
• Mr. Christian Fillet, Chairman of European Social Network
• Mr. Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of ASAN Service
• Mr. Sahib Mammadov, Deputy Minister of Economy
• Mr. Samir Mammadov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport
• Distinguished partners and colleagues
• Ladies and gentlemen:

It is a great pleasure to be here with you.   And I would like to thank Minister Babayev for his kind invitation to join the DOST Conference.

The theme of this event: “A Single Platform for Providing Flexible, Innovative and Sustainable Services” is timely- in 10 days, the world leaders will gather at the SDG Summit in New York for the mid-point review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The high-level summit is convened in an effort to “rescue” the 17 Sustainable Development Goals at a time when development progress is reversing. 

The Summit is expected to mark the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress with high-level political commitments – at both global and national levels - on transformative and accelerated actions leading up to 2030.  And one of the transitions that is urgently needed is the area of social protection and jobs.

For many countries, the global COVID 19 pandemic was a wake-up call to strengthen social protection systems, to make it more inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable. 

Across the world, vulnerable groups – including women, children, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, informal workers, and migrants – were the most adversely affected by the COVID-19.  And these are the same population groups that have been excluded from or underserved by social protection systems.

As the countries continue to tackle the rising inequalities, the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, period of heightened inflation around the world, and climate change, the demand for social protection has increased. 

Here, I would like to acknowledge the robust and effective COVID-19 response of Azerbaijan, including Government’s support for the people who lost their jobs. The reforms made in social protection over the past several years reflect the Government of Azerbaijan vision to ensure effective social protection coverage of all in need.

Given the shared global challenges in the face of rising inequalities, I very much welcome the opportunity this conference presents by bringing local and international social protection experts together to share best practices, explore innovative approaches and tools, and discuss future strategies for sustainable social protection.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Universal access to social protection lies at the very heart of inclusive development, and is key to unlocking progress towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

To meet the increased demand for social protection, we not only need an increase in both financial and human resources, but also delivery systems that enable timely, adequate, and coordinated services. 

This is where the single platform becomes important.

Single platform (or “one-stop shop”) is being used in more and more countries to improve access to social protection, particularly in rural and remote areas, that tend to be under-covered.  

By providing one entry point, it greatly increases access and inclusiveness to social protection programmes, as well as other services, such as social , health, and employment, as well as services for entrepreneurs and small businesses.  From an administrative point of view, a single platform can help achieve economies of scale and improve administrative efficiency.

A single platform is also a way to strengthen coordination of social protection services and to adopt a whole-of-the-Government approach to social protection with clear roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities. 

As the Government works to ensure effective coverage of all people in need with social protection, it is important to tailor public information campaigns to different population groups to expand their awareness and knowledge of available services.  

Thus, further progress in digitalization of social protection services and having a national social protection registry, are essential to minimize exclusion errors in social protection schemes.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Under the UN Azerbaijan Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025, and in line with Azerbaijan Socio-Economic Development Strategy (2022-2026), the UN is supporting the Government to strengthen institutions for better public and social services delivery, so that the people furthest behind benefit from quality services, in line with Azerbaijan’s international commitments.

The UN family looks forward to continuing support to the Government of Azerbaijan’s vision for equitable and comprehensive social protection for all.

I thank you.