UN agencies support policy engagement on sustainable development in Azerbaijan

Bringing together around 50 representatives of Government, United Nations Agencies and the private sector, the workshop is the continuation of a strategic policy support mission that started in Azerbaijan in May-June 2017.

Based on consultations with the Government and a range of subject-matter experts, the mission produced an SDG Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support (MAPS) report, which outlines a set of conclusive policy and programming steps to drive the national SDG implementation process in Azerbaijan. The report, which was first submitted to the Government last November, has been the key focus of today’s workshop, as United Nations agencies teamed up with national stakeholders aiming to draw a tangible vision for development change in the country.

MAPS is a globally recognised approach to supporting national capacities to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs conceptually and strategically. It puts the importance of partnership networks, public accountability, reporting, financing and enforcement of reliable data at the forefront of holistic development policy.

UNDP Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Regional Director at UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS Rastislav Vrbensky mentioned that, to date MAPS missions have been conducted in more than two dozen countries and another two dozen missions are planned for this year. Mr. Vrbensky emphasised that the analysis of the MAPS report from Azerbaijan, along with its recommendations, is important not only for Azerbaijan, but for other countries that are now using this platform to accelerate national SDG implementation.

Acknowledging the remarkable dedication the country has shown in the implementation of the SDGs, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Azerbaijan Ghulam Isaczai noted that “Azerbaijan has been a frontrunner in promoting Sustainable Development Goals in the region”. In this spirit, he reiterated, the UN will continue to work with Government of Azerbaijan, the private sector, media and civil society to ensure that skills, technical expertise and guidance of the UN system in this area are available and provided in a timely and efficient manner.

The MAPS workshop is organised as part of the project on “Supporting the localisation of Sustainable Development Goals and alignment of national development plans to the SDGs”. The project, ending in March 2018, is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the National Coordination Council on Sustainable Development.