REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

Azərbaycan R�s��b���asının
anı��ı �n���a� Üzrə M���� ��a�ə�ən��r�ə ��rası

THIRD
VOLUNTARY
NATIONAL
REVIEW 2021
 Azərbaycan R�s��b���asının
REPUBLIC
Dayanı��ı �n���a� ÜzrəOF AZERBAIJAN
M���� ��a�ə�ən��r�ə ��rası

Third Voluntary
National Review

The Third Voluntary National Review details the work carried out in the
Republic of Azerbaijan with a view towards “sustainable and resilient
recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social
and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an in-
clusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the
context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”.
 FOREWORD

T
he importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is
more important than ever at a time when all humanity is coping with the coro-
navirus pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges and
realities for the implementation of development priorities in the Republic of
Azerbaijan. The natural fulfillment of the quarantine regime (particularly the manda-
tory lockdowns) to prevent the spread of the virus had a serious impact on economic
growth, welfare, health care, education, tourism and the entire implementation of the
2030 Agenda on the SDGs.
The Government of Azerbaijan applied new strategies and programmes on how to
mitigate the consequences of the pandemic, ensuring economic stability, macroeco-
nomic and financial sustainability and keeping the unemployment rate at the mini-
mum level based on the principle of “Leaving No One Behind”. As a result of these
efforts it is anticipated that 2021-2022 will be a recovery period for Azerbaijan.
The Government of Azerbaijan acknowledges that humanity can only achieve the
desirable result of mitigating the consequences of the pandemic through solidarity
and the joint efforts of partnership. As such, Azerbaijan took an active part in the fight
against COVID-19 and supported more than 30 countries with humanitarian, techni-
cal and financial aid.
Fulfilling the commitments made by Azerbaijan on the SDGs is an integral part of
the state policy. Within this framework, the Government of Azerbaijan set up the Na-
tional Coordination Council on Sustainable Development and established bilateral
and multilateral corporation with local and international organizations respectively. In
addition, state programmes, strategies, action plans covering social, economic and
environmental spheres have been adjusted to meet the goals and objectives of the
2030 Agenda, while sector strategic plans were also developed within medium-term
expenditure, which will be a significant roadmap for SDG financing.
As a result of the actions taken, Azerbaijan was ranked 54th among 166 countries
in the UN Sustainable Development Report for 2020, achieving 72.6 points out of
100 for the “Sustainable Development Goals Index”. (For comparison it should be
mentioned that the mean value for this Index in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is
70.9 points.) According to the Index, Azerbaijan has made progress on the SDGs for
health care, well-being, poverty, nutrition, clean water and energy, sustainable cities
and communities. At the same time Azerbaijan was acknowledged as one of the
most reformist countries in the “Doing Business 2020” report published by the World

2 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 FOREWORD

Bank and Azerbaijan’s ranking rose to the 28th position among 191 countries in the
global rating list.
Azerbaijan has prepared and approved a new development strategy for the post-pan-
demic and post-war period covering the period 2021-2030. In this framework, the
Government of Azerbaijan has established five national priorities (a sustainable and
growing competitive economy; a dynamic, inclusive and social justice-based society;
competitive human capital and modern innovations; great return to the liberated ar-
eas; a clean environment and green growth) targeted at achieving the long-term evo-
lution towards the social-economic and environmental development of the country
for the next decade. It should also be highlighted that the National Priorities are im-
portant towards the fulfilment of commitments made in the “Transforming our world:
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
Furthermore, taking into consideration global climate change and the commitments
ensuing from the Paris Agreement within the UN Framework Convention, the Govern-
ment of Azerbaijan supports projects concerning promotion of transition to a circular
economy, the use of clean technologies, the use of clean energy sources and the
reprocessing and cleaning of polluted areas. In this regard, high-quality environment
and green energy have been selected as national development priorities. Additional-
ly, based on SDG11 targets, the Government took the decision to start the alignment
of smart city and smart village standards in newly established cities and villages.
In particular, the cessation of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Novem-
ber 2020 will contribute to ensuring security, stability and well-being in the region.
Moreover, mutually beneficial cooperation in the region as well as the development
of economic and trade relations will provide a massive input into the development of
Azerbaijan and the region as a whole.
Taking advantage of new international and regional transport and logistics corridors,
and the reintegration of the now liberated territories into the national economy, will
strengthen Azerbaijan’s economic sovereignty by 2030 and transform it into a pow-
erful state with a strong social welfare society based on modern living standards.

I am certain that the realization of the SDGs by 2030 will serve prosperity, peace and
global partnership while contributing to addressing such global issues as the fight
against hunger, poverty, inequality and climate change.

Ali Ahmadov

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan,

Chairman of National Coordination Council on Sustainable Development

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 3

CONTENT
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 6

SUMMARY 8

INTRODUCTION 12

1. THE PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY FOR PREPARING THE REVIEW 15

1.1. Preparation process of the Third Voluntary National Review 16

1.2. Lessons learned and substantial alteration 18

2. POLICY AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT BY 2030 23

2.1. Integration of SDGs into the national development agenda 24

2.2. National ownership of SDGs 30

2.3. Support of NGOs and private sector in

the implementation of the SDGs 35

3. STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDGs 39

4. THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS

ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA 45

5. PROGRESS IN THEMATIC GOALS 55

CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD 132

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 5

 ACRONYMS AND
SUMMARY

ABAD Support to Family Business

EU European Union
SCFWCA State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan
ANAS Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
ANAMA Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action
CoE Council of Europe
OSCE Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
AIDA Azerbaijan International Development Agency
UN United Nations
UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
UNDRR United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
ILO International Labour Organization
UNDP United Nations Development Program
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
UNESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
KOICA Korea International Cooperation Agency
IMF International Monetary Fund
BP British Petroleum
CEPEJ European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice
SDGs Sustainable Development Goals
NCCSD National Coordination Council on Sustainable Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan
DOST Agency for Sustainable and Operational Social Protection
SSC State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan
MENR Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan
VAT Value Added Tax
MLSPP Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan
IDEA “International Dialogue for Environmental Action” Public Union
OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
ECO Economic Cooperation Organization
ECOSOC Economic and Social Council
ICT Information (and/-) Communication Technologies
MoE Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

6 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

ABBREVIATIONS
ABAD Support to Family Business
ODA Official Development Assistance
MM Mass Media
VNR Voluntary National Review
SME Small and Medium Entrepreneurship
MoA Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
NGO Non-governmental organization
GPI Global Partnership Initiative
CIS Commonwealth of Independent States
MoC Ministry of Culture
MDG Millennium Development Goal
LLC Limited Liability Company
MoF Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
CoM Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan
EDF Entrepreneurship Development Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan
RIA Rapid Integrated Assessment
MoH Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan
TANAP Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline
MTCHT Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies.
MoED Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan
GDP Gross Domestic Product
TSSA Targeted State Social Assistance
STS State Tax Service
UMIS Unified Migration Information System
HLPF High Level Political Forum
“2030 Agenda” “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”
NIP National Information Portal
UMISSMS Unified Migration Information System of the State Migration Service
ODS Ozone-depleting substances

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 7

 SUMMARY

T
he Third Voluntary National lizing all its efforts to honour this commit-
Review (VNR) presented by ment in a timely and suitably manner.
the Republic of Azerbaijan The National Coordination Council
towards the implementation of on Sustainable Development and the
the “Transforming our World: Ministry of Economy lead the VNR
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable De- process, through consultation with
velopment” illustrates the framework various stakeholders including Parlia-
with which the Government of Azerbai- ment, line ministries, public institutions,
jan continues to fulfil its commitment to NGOs, the private sector and academic
the 2030 Agenda on SDGs under the institutions. During the reporting period,
main principles of universality, integrated activities on prioritised 17 goals, 88 tar-
approach and “Leaving no one behind”. gets and 119 indicators have been suc-
The VNR also reflects best practices, cessfully continued, and the alignment
lessons learned, implementation tools, of state programmes, action plans, and
and actions taken to strengthen interna- strategic documents associated with
tional partnerships, emerging challenges, the SDG goals and targets have been
the best practices used to address these successfully implemented.
challenges, and future steps in this re-
gard. Furthermore, Azerbaijan is entering a
strategic phase in this new post-pan-
At the same time, the review incorpo- demic and post-conflict era which
rates the goals of the thematic plan of spans from 2021 to 2030. Acknowl-
the High-Level Political Forum to be or- edging global trends and challenges,
ganized by the UN Economic and Social the Government of Azerbaijan sets the
Council in 2021 and the actions taken country’s long-term development vector
with respect to the implementation of and pathways to socio-economic and
the selected goals and the current cir- environmental development through
cumstances. five corresponding national priorities
This is the Third VNR submitted by the (approved by Presidential decree) for
Government of Azerbaijan since its the subsequent decade. These priori-
accession to the UN 2030 Agenda. The ties are aligned with Azerbaijan’s com-
submission of this VNR demonstrates that mitments under the 2030 Agenda and
the Government of Azerbaijan is commit- are as follows:
ted to achieving the SDGs and is mobi-

8 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 SUMMARY

t A steadily growing, competitive support to 33 countries in the form of hu-

economy; manitarian aid and financial assistance.
t Dynamic and inclusive society Moreover, numerous actions were tak-
based on social justice; en to ensure the transition to efficient
t Competitive human capital and models of manufacturing and consump-
space for modern innovation; tion. To this end, the volume of hazard-
ous waste generated per capita has
t Great return to the liberated terri- been maintained at a consistent level,
tories, including sustainable settle- the use of renewable energy genera-
ment and economic reintegration; tion capacity has been increased, ur-
t A clean environment and green gent actions to combat climate change
growth in the country. and its impact have been expanded,
and the control of the reduction of the
In line with these priorities, a strategy annual volume of total greenhouse gas
and an action plan for 2021-2025 will emissions has been reinforced.
be formulated and approved.
Thus, alongside the actions taken to ad-
One of the major elements of the 2021 dress the COVID-19 pandemic situation,
VNR is in regard to the fight against the Azerbaijan continued to comply with
COVID-19 pandemic and the challeng- the following requirements and recom-
es it caused. The COVID-19 pandemic mendations in achieving the SDGs in
created massive disruption in people’s the period under review:
lives around the world and seriously
affected the implementation of the SDGs t The active engagement of the
in Azerbaijan in several areas - econom- private sector and government
ic growth, employment, health care, entities in the implementation of
education and tourism. Since the first activities related to SDGs was
quarter of 2020, the spread of COVID-19 promoted, with a specific focus
in Azerbaijan and the subsequent oblig- on awareness-raising at all levels,
atory lockdowns naturally had a negative regulating environmental issues,
impact on economic activity and led to and expanding the access of pri-
a 4.3% decrease in GDP in 2020. To mit- vate sector finance for SDGs;
igate the impact of COVID-19, the Gov- t Special attention was attached to
ernment of Azerbaijan approved support the implementation of literacy-rais-
programmes to provide direct financial ing activities at all levels, and dia-
assistance (USD1 1.5 billion overall in logues with various segments of
2020). As a result of this effective sup- society at the national and region-
port, it is anticipated that 2021-2022 will al levels were organized;
be a recovery period for Azerbaijan. In t Efforts to increase the develop-
parallel to national measures, the Gov- ment and diversification of the
ernment actively participated in fighting non-oil sector, strengthen innova-
COVID-19 globally through bilateral tion activity and export capacity,
and multilateral programmes providing improve the efficiency of social

1 USD = 1.7 AZN Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 9
1
 SUMMARY

services and increase the green building effective partnerships, over-

economy were reinforced; coming existing difficulties, as well as
t Mitigation measures were taken the deployment of the Platform of Na-
to address the socio-economic tional Importance to achieve the SDGs
challenges posed by COVID-19 by by 2030.
building an effective institutional Additionally, the cessation of the 28-
system and infrastructure, and en- year conflict between Armenia and
suring close cooperation with the Azerbaijan creates new economic
World Health Organization (WHO). opportunities not only for Azerbaijan
also for the entire region. In this re-
Moreover, the Government of Azerbai- spect, the rehabilitation, reconstruction
jan anticipates receiving the necessary and reintegration of its liberated and
support of international partners in the conflict-affected areas will constitute
implementation of the planned activ- the key dimension of the development
ities, in the areas mentioned above, strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in
through direct financing mechanisms, the coming years.
the sharing of international experience,

10 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 11
 INTRODUCTION

T
he third Voluntary National implementation of the 2030 Agenda on
Review of the Republic of the SDGs, the ongoing involvement of
Azerbaijan is presented in the stakeholders in the process under the
framework of the thematic principle of “leaving no one behind”,
plan of the 2021 HLPF, name- and encompasses strengthening part-
ly “Sustainable and resilient recovery nerships for the SDGs.
from the COVID-19 pandemic that
promotes the economic, social and The VNR is presented in five sections.
environmental dimensions of sustain- The first covers the formulation of
able development: building an inclusive “The process and methodology for the
and effective path for the achievement preparation of the review”. This section
of the 2030 Agenda in the context of describes the main methodology and
the decade of action and delivery for associated process for preparing the
sustainable development”. It details the third Voluntary National Review and the
status of the implementation process of different features of the third VNR and
Azerbaijan’s national commitment (par- those presented previously.
ticularly over the period 2019 to 2021),
the significant action plans and their The second section describes the
execution on the mitigation of the im- activities completed by the Government
pact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the of Azerbaijan between 2019 and 2021

12 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 INTRODUCTION

PREPARATION
PROGRESS ON THE GOALS OF THE REPORT

3rd
VNR

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 POLICY ENVIRONMENT

PANDEMIC

on the formulation of the “Policy and COVID-19 pandemic and crisis on im-
enabling environment by 2030”. In par- plementing the 2030 Agenda” focuses
ticular, this section reports on the public on the comprehensive interventions put
awareness of various segments of so- in place to not only meet the challeng-
ciety, on integrating the SDGs into the es created by the COVID-19 pandemic
national development agenda and on for the implementation of the SDGs,
improvements to the statistical frame- but also to minimize the impact of the
work on the SDGs through the appli- COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s
cation of the principles of “ownership”, economy and ensure the continuation
“participation” and “Leaving No One of socio-economic development, diver-
Behind”; this includes the engagement sification of the economy and increasing
of stakeholders in the implementation non-oil exports during the pandemic.
process of the “2030 Development
Agenda” in Azerbaijan. The final section “Progress in thematic
goals and targets” presents a detailed
The third section, namely “Strength- report on the actions carried out to-
ening partnerships to support the wards achieving the SDGs, defined in
implementation of the SDGs” outlines accordance with the thematic plan of
the strengthening of cooperation with the HLPF on Sustainable Development
international organizations (relevant of the UN Economic and Social Council.
UN, UN agencies and other internation- The VNR focuses on the thematic plan
al organizations) to achieve the SDGs in 2021 year on the following SDGs: Goal
Azerbaijan. This section also discusses 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger),
the financial support provided to other Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being),
countries and international organiza- Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic
tions by Azerbaijan in its role as a donor Growth), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequali-
country responding to the global fight ties), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption
to address the COVID-19 pandemic. and Production), Goal 13 (Climate Ac-
tion), Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong
The section entitled “The impact of the Institutions), and Goal 17 (Partnerships).

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 13

14 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan
THE PROCESS AND
METHODOLOGY FOR
PREPARING THE REVIEW

1
Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 15
 THE PROCESS AND
METHODOLOGY FOR
1 PREPARING THE REVIEW

1.1. Preparation process of the

Third Voluntary National Review Members of the National Coor-
dination Council for Sustainable
The National Coordination Council on Development
Sustainable Development and the Min- Cabinet of Ministers;
istry of Economy lead the VNR process,
through consultations with various Ministry of Economy;
stakeholders including the parliament,
line ministries, public institutions, NGOs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
the private sector and academic insti-
Ministry of Health;
tutions. The preparation of the Third
Voluntary National Review is based on Ministry of Labour and Social
the “Proposal for voluntary common re- Protection of Population;
porting guidelines for voluntary national
reviews at the high-level political forum” Ministry of Education;
and other guiding documents.
Accordingly, the general structure of Ministry of Justice;
the VNR and the content of the structur- Ministry of Agriculture;
al sections are as follows:
Foreword; Ministry of Youth and Sports;

Summary; Ministry of Environment and Nat-

ural Resources;
Introduction;
The process and methodology for Ministry of Culture;
preparing the review;
State Statistical Committee;
Policy and enabling environment by
2030; State Committee for Family,
Women and Children’s Affairs;
Strengthening partnerships to pro-
vide support in implementing the State Committee of the Republic
SDGs; of Azerbaijan for Affairs of Refu-
The impact of the COVID-19 pan- gees and IDPs
demic on the implementation of the
2030 Agenda;
Progress in goals and targets;
based on the utilization of best practic-
Conclusions and next steps.
es as analysed by two international and
local experts. The plan and methodol-
The initial stage of the process of for-
ogy of the Review were developed in
mulating and writing the VNR began
compliance with the thematic plan and
with the development of the plan and
requirements of the High-Level Political
methodology for the Review. This was
Forum.

16 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 THE PROCESS AND
METHODOLOGY FOR
PREPARING THE REVIEW 1

The NIP is an interactive tool that col-

lects aggregated information on the
SDGs from designated government
agencies, which is then accessible at
the national and international levels.
The tool thus allows everyone to track
the progress being made towards the
SDGs in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The direct inclusion of stakeholders

through the request for information on
SDG status (including government orga-
nizations and other line agencies) and
the official responses received, ensures
As part of the Review formulation the reliability of the data used in the
process, a written request was sent to Review.
stakeholders to provide information on
the status of actions taken to achieve Furthermore, other various verification
the SDGs. The Review was formulated methods were used to ensure the reli-
according to the information and data ability of the administrative and statis-
received from line ministries and other tical data collected in the preparation
government agencies, and the NCCSD process of the Review.
Secretariat.

Challenges in the preparation

Ensuring the reliability of the data process of the Review
While improvements have certainly
The Review data was compiled with been made to the statistical framework
direct inputs from respective stakehold- used for the 2021 Review as compared
ers (mainly from government agencies), to that used for the 2017 and 2019
from the National Information Portal Reviews, challenges remain in some
(NIP) on SDGs, managed by the State areas of the statistical database. Thus,
Statistical Committee with the support the available data has not been disag-
of the UNDP, and also from the annual gregated by gender, age group, place
statistical report on SDGs provided by of residence (rural/urban) and region/
the State Statistical Committee. administrative district, which partially
constrains the scope of analysis, as-
sessment and findings.

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 17

 THE PROCESS AND
METHODOLOGY FOR
1 PREPARING THE REVIEW

1.2. Lessons learned and conflicts, poverty, environmental degra-

substantial alteration dation and crime, that arise around the
world and in the regions.
The key distinguishing features of the
Third Voluntary National Review of the The military aggression of Armenia
Republic of Azerbaijan as compared to against Azerbaijan in the early 1990s
the VNRs submitted in 2017 and 2019 caused the displacement of more than
are: (i) the achievements resulting from one million Azerbaijanis from their na­
the cessation of the conflict between tive lands. The war claimed the lives of
Armenia and Azerbaijan, (ii) the overall 20,000 Azerbaijanis. Meantime, 50,000
alignment of the new phase of the UN Azerbaijanis became disabled. The
partnership with Azerbaijan regarding scale of atrocities is evidenced, among
the 2030 Agenda, (iii) improvements others, by about 4000 citizens of Azer-
to the statistical framework to increase baijan (including 71 children, 267 wom-
the monitoring of progress on the SDG en and 326 elderly people) who went
indicators and (iv) COVID-19 pandemic missing in connection with the conflict.
challenges, mitigating the impact and Furthermore, the fate of more than 870
driving the recovery process. of above 2,000 Azerbaijanis who were
taken captive or held hostage during
military operations still remains un-
Post-conflict rehabilitation, known. The occupied settlements were
reconstruction and entirely devastated, and the ecosystem
reintegration activities severely damaged.

The VNRs, submitted in 2017 and 2019, The consequences of the occupation of
explicitly reflected the social, human- Azerbaijani territories by Armenia con-
itarian, economic and environmental tinue to be a serious problem in Azer-
constraints, encountered by the Re- baijan, with the conflict causing a major
public of Azerbaijan due to the lack of humanitarian crisis, since the natural
peace in the region and occupation of resources of the occupied territories
its territories. The elaboration of the were plundered by Armenia and could
Third VNR coincided with the liberation not therefore be used for the welfare of
of the territories of the Republic of Azer- the Azerbaijani people.
baijan in the end of 2020, thus making
it the key comparative characteristic of The key milestone of 2020 was the libera-
the subject review. tion of Azerbaijani lands from occupation.
This became achievable by a counterat-
The Government of Azerbaijan con- tack, which was launched on 27 Septem-
tinues to take confident and resolute ber 2020 in response to the new act of
steps to achieve peace, a decent life aggression of the Armenian armed forces,
and the selected targets from the 2030 and ended on 10 November,2020 with
Agenda, notwithstanding the numer- signing of the tripartite statement by the
ous problems and difficulties, such as leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Rus-

18 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 THE PROCESS AND
METHODOLOGY FOR
PREPARING THE REVIEW 1

sia. This created conducive conditions for ing of the tripartite statement.
the voluntary, safe and dignified return of The unavailability of maps of the mined
the IDPs to their homeland. In this regard, territories severly hinders post-conflict
the Government of Azerbaijan ensured rehabilitation and reconstruction plans
that the transport (road) infrastructure in the liberated territories of Azerbai-
in the liberated territories was on a par jan, and the safe and dignified return
with the rest of Azerbaijan to ensure the of Azerbaijani IDPs to their permanent
security of those returning to the liberated homes.
territories.
The main goal of the overall devel-
It should also be underlined that during opment strategy of the Republic of
the occupation, which lasted for about Azerbaijan in the coming years will be
30 years, the Armenian armed forces the rehabilitation, reconstruction and
planted mines and other explosive de- reintegration of conflict-affected areas
vices in the territory of Azerbaijan. Ar- and their integration into value chains.
menia refuses to furnish Azerbaijan with In line with the SDGs and the principles
information about the landmines, thus of the fourth industrial revolution, the
deliberately targeting human lives and territories will be developed taking into
attempting to impede the return of the consideration local features, resourc-
internally displaced persons. Since the es and perspectives, and post-conflict
signing of tripartite statement, hundreds reconstruction will function as a driving
of Azerbaijani civilians were killed or factor of economic growth in Azerbai-
seriously wounded as a result of mine jan. Azerbaijan will continue to contrib-
explosions in the liberated territories. ute to peace, security and cooperation
More than 100 Azerbaijani servicemen in the region by constantly strengthen-
and civilians have been killed or injured ing its economic, political and military
by landmines in the area since the sign- superiority.

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 19

 THE PROCESS AND
METHODOLOGY FOR
1 PREPARING THE REVIEW

The restoration of the liberated territo- The Government of the Republic of

ries in the coming years will include the Azerbaijan will continue to carry out
implementation of measures aimed at restoration and reconstruction activities
restoration, reconstruction of economic in the liberated territories with the full
and social infrastructure, development engagement of citizens, government
of the economy, support for business agencies and the private sector. One of
activities, provision of a decent living the main tasks is to attract internation-
environment, and the repatriation and al financial resources for sustainable
employment of the population in those development of these territories. In this
territories. respect, we believe that various stake-
holders, including international donor
In this regard, the State Programme organizations, will wish to contribute
on “Restoration and Sustainable De- to the ongoing efforts to restore the
velopment of the Territories of the conflict-affected areas and develop the
Republic of Azerbaijan Liberated from potential of their populations.
Occupation for 2021-2025” has been
formulated. The Programme takes into
account security issues, infrastructure UN Sustainable Development
and economic potential, return of the Cooperation Framework for
population, which is an important part Azerbaijan (2021-2025)
of post-conflict rehabilitation with the
creation of economically decent living One of the main distinctive features of
conditions. It targets private sector the Third Voluntary National Review
investment including the extensive presented on behalf of the Government
use of public-private partnerships, the of Azerbaijan is that it coincides with
process of land reclamation to create the signing and implementation of the
demand for local production and stimu- UN Sustainable Development Cooper-
late economic growth, the development ation Framework for Azerbaijan (2021-
of a competitive economy based on the 2025) between the United Nations and
principles of sustainable development, the Government of Azerbaijan.
achieving high standards of social wel-
fare, the efficient and environmentally The framework guided by the principles
sound use of natural resources thereby of “Leaving No One Behind” and “Hu-
creating a favourable environment for man Rights Based Approach”.
the formation of an environmental secu-
rity system based on the protection of It should also be underlined that the
the environment. Finally, the harmoni- Framework provides the foundation for
ous economic, social and environmen- deeper collaboration and the increased
tal elements in the region can ensure effectiveness of the United Nations
the sustainable and balanced develop- specialized agencies, and focuses on
ment of areas that will accelerate their meeting the goals of the 2030 Agenda
development. for Sustainable Development, protecting
human rights, and leaving no one behind.

20 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 THE PROCESS AND
METHODOLOGY FOR
PREPARING THE REVIEW 1

been nationalized and its scope further

In the context of current chal- expanded. New methodologies, based
lenges to development plan- on international and, importantly, best
ning – including the emergence practices, make the 2021 VNR substan-
of COVID-19 as a major global tially different from previous Reviews.2
threat and recovery needs in
de-occupied territories, that the Furthermore, the “State Program on
Republic of Azerbaijan plans Improvement of Official Statistics in the
to rehabilitate– the UNSDCF is Republic of Azerbaijan between 2018
deliberately forward-looking. and 2025” was fundamentally aligned
with the relevant SDGs. Important
An extract from the UN Sustain- measures such as obtaining statistical
able Development Coopera- information on the labour force, pov-
tion Framework for Azerbaijan erty, the non-formally employed pop-
(UNSDCF) for the period 2021 to ulation, the employment of persons
2025. with disabilities, child labour, access
to food by various population groups,
the structure of agriculture (via census),
development trends, transportation of
goods and passengers by road, social
Improving the statistical framework welfare of mothers and children in the
country context, use of time by dif-
Statistical systems today must produce ferent socio-demographic population
accurate, up-to-date and comprehen- groups, access and use of ICT by the
sive information for quick decision-mak- population, as well as the integration
ing and the analysis of the implemen- of government databases into the SSC
tation of those decisions. This applies statistical database, monitoring the SDG
not only to the implementation of the achievement status, and creating a sta-
2030 Agenda, but also across the tistical database and Internet portal for
board in today’s challenging world. It is public awareness, were all reflected in
no coincidence that at the UN Summit the State Program.
on Sustainable Development Member
States adopted a commitment to en- The State Program encompassed a
hance statistical capacity in accordance total of 59 actions, including on the
with Targets 17.18 and 17.19 of Goal 17 organization of observations and devel-
(Strengthen the means of implementa- opment of methodologies in the field of
tion and revitalize the Global Partner- social, economic and multidisciplinary
ship for Sustainable Development). statistics (29), on metadata and classifi-
cations (6), on legal, administrative and
As a result of the collaboration and information support of official statistical
partnership between the State Statisti- materials (7), on increasing user satis-
cal Committee and the UNDP, the statis- faction (3), on international cooperation
tical database of the 2030 Agenda has (7), and on strengthening material and

2
First Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2017: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/16005Azerbaijan.pdf
Second Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2019: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/23411AZERBAI-
21
JAN_VNR_Report.pdf
 THE PROCESS AND
METHODOLOGY FOR
1 PREPARING THE REVIEW

technical foundation and human re- on six new indicators was developed in
sources capability (7). collaboration with relevant government
agencies: “3.5.1 Coverage of treat-
In 2020, the State Statistical Committee ment interventions (pharmacological,
responded to numerous inquiries from psychosocial and rehabilitation and
users requesting statistical informa- aftercare services) for substance use
tion, including private entrepreneurs. disorders”, “11.6.1 Proportion of munici-
In 2020, the work on SDG Indicator pal solid waste collected and managed
17.18.1 (“Statistical capacity indicator for in controlled facilities out of total mu-
Sustainable Development Goal monitor- nicipal solid waste generated by cities”,
ing”) was financed with funds allocated “13.2.2 Total greenhouse gas emissions
from the state budget for the mainte- per year”, “16.3.1 Proportion of victims of
nance of the State Statistical Commit- violence in the previous 12 months who
tee. During the VNR reporting period, reported their victimization to compe-
through an initiative of the State Statisti- tent authorities or other officially recog-
cal Committee, the “Sustainable Devel- nized conflict resolution mechanisms”,
opment Goals: Statistical Review” was “16.5.1 Proportion of persons who had
published, the data was mainstreamed at least one contact with a public official
in the National Information Portal on and who paid a bribe to a public offi-
the SDGs, and the general public were cial, or were asked for a bribe by those
given access to the database to obtain public officials, during the previous 12
updated information on ongoing/com- months”, “17.3.2 Volume of remittances
pleted activities related to the SDGs. (in USD) as a proportion of total GDP”.
Thus, metadata repository now con-
Certain activities were carried out with tains information on 92 SDG Indicators
the aim of expanding the statistical (37.2% of the number of global indica-
database on the SDG indicators. In this tors), and 70 national priority indica-
connection, global methodologies on tors (58.8 % of the number of national
SDG indicators were studied and data indicators).3

22 119 indicators were approved as national priorities by Resolution No. 7 of 7 February 2019 of the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Develop-
3

ment of the Republic of Azerbaijan

POLICY AND ENABLING
ENVIRONMENT BY 2030

2
Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 23
 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
2 BY 2030

2.1. Integration of SDGs The SDGs, selected on the basis of the

into the national development “Leaving No One Behind” principle, will
agenda serve to improve the well-being of all
citizens living in Azerbaijan by 2030,
The alignment of the SDGs to national and specifically will target meeting the
priorities in the Republic of Azerbaijan needs of the poorest people in the
follows the key principles established spirit of global solidarity. This initiative
within the framework of a collective focuses on ensuring a prosperous and
approach to implementing the 2030 happy life for all people, as well as on
Agenda for Sustainable Development: achieving development that ensures
economic, social and technical prog-
Universality; ress in harmony with nature.
Leaving No One Behind;
To ensure the monitoring of the imple-
Commitment to human rights; mentation of the 2030 Agenda and to
Complexity and integrity. accelerate its implementation in the
Formulating a national development next decade, the National Coordination
strategy that is in line with the 2030 Council for Sustainable Development
Agenda helps to identify new opportu- conducted two high level meetings with
nities for the country’s key policy doc- the heads of government agencies and
uments. By integrating the SDGs into conveyed comprehensive discussions
the national development agenda the in 2020. The process of aligning the
“2030 Agenda” can be amalgamated national development agenda with the
with national, regional and local plans, SDGs continued in 2020 with the fol-
as well as relevant budget allocations. lowing projects:

As a first step to increasing the efficien-

cy of activities in this respect, the Con- 1. The State Programme on Socio-Eco-
cept of Development “Azerbaijan 2020: nomic Development of the Regions for
Look into the future” and the “Strategic the period from 2019 to 2023.
Road Maps for National Economy and
Main Economic Sectors” began to iden- The main goal of the new state pro-
tify where the national agenda was in gramme is to ensure the sustainable
compliance with the SDGs and related and balanced development of the
targets and where gaps existed. regions. This includes the creation of
a favourable environment and forma-
The implementation of 17 goals, 88 tar- tion of an environmental safety system
gets and 119 indicators, approved at the which will ensure a competitive econ-
meeting of the National Coordination omy based on the principles of the
Council for Sustainable Development SDGs; ensuring that social welfare is
on 7 February 2019, continued success- maintained at a high standard, that nat-
fully in 2020. ural resources are used efficiently and
that the environment is fully protected.

24 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 POLICY AND
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BY 2030 2

Taking into account the implementation framework on improving and increas-

of a wide-range of infrastructure and ing the efficiency of plastic packaging
investment projects in previous state waste management system are expect-
programmes on regional development, ed, together with the formulation of a
the new state programme has identified market for additional raw materials, and
the following issues as key priorities: to the expanded use of alternative pack-
further accelerate the development of aging. Furthermore, using international
the non-oil sector, to support the prog- experience the activities will target the
ress of the real sector of the economy, creation of a favourable environment
as well as encourage entrepreneurship for potential entrepreneurs and inves-
through new mechanisms, to increase tors interested in the field of recycling,
the requisite knowledge and skills of identify financing for a collection and
business enterprises, and to provide processing system, as well as develop
consulting and other services. The new business opportunities on the ba-
new programme was aligned with SDG sis of modern technologies, strengthen
4, SDG 5, SDG 6, SDG 9, SDG 10 and the recycling market, and create new
SDG 15. The successful implementation jobs. The activities will thus contribute
of the programme will contribute to to achieving SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13,
achieving these goals and their associ- SDG 14, and SDG 15.
ated targets.

3. Action Plan to ensuring the efficient

2. Action Plan on reducing the negative use of water resources for the period
impact of plastic packaging waste on the from 2020 to 2022.
environment in the Republic of Azerbai-
jan for the period from 2019 to 2020. The Action Plan was developed to
assess, protect and ensure the efficient
The “Action Plan on reducing the nega- use of water resources. Its goal is also
tive impact of plastic packaging waste to enhance the electronic water man-
on the environment in the Republic of agement, accounting and delivery infor-
Azerbaijan for the period from 2019 to mation system, to improve the efficient
2020” in line with the “Strategic Road- use of water by the energy sector, to
map on the Production and Processing ensure the efficient and rational use of
of Agricultural Products in the Republic water for irrigation, finding of water re-
of Azerbaijan” was developed to re- sources, to upgrade the drinking water
duce pollution in this area based on supply system, and to raise awareness
an assessment of the negative impact on the overall issue of water resources.
of the mass use of plastic packag- The Action Plan also aims to identify
ing products on plants, animals, land how best to effectively finance the wa-
and water resources. The Action Plan ter resource/supply infrastructure. The
aims to minimize this negative impact Action Plan has been aligned with SDG
through its planned activities. In this 6, SDG 9, SDG 12, SDG 13 and SDG 14
regard, improvements on the regulatory of the 2030 Agenda.

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 25

 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
2 BY 2030

4. Draft National Water Strategy of the purpose of directly supporting the

Republic of Azerbaijan. implementation of the environmental
objectives, targets and indicators of the
The National Water Strategy Project of 2030 Agenda. In this regard, it prohibits
Azerbaijan has been drafted and work the import, manufacture, sale or provi-
is underway to develop an action plan sion to consumers, trade, catering and
for the Strategy based on the comple- other service facilities of plastic poly-
tion of specific milestones: short-term ethylene bags up to 15 microns thick,
activity until 2025, medium-term activity disposable plastic mixing rods, forks,
until 2030 and long-term activity, in line spoons, knives, plates and cups. The
with the SDGs. law relates to SDG 6, SDG 12, SDG 13
and SDG 15.
The Strategy focuses on key challeng-
es, such as improvements to legislation,
institutional structure and capacity, and 6. Joint Action Plan to Support Green
the development of cooperation on Agriculture (2020-2023).
transboundary waters in accordance
with the principles of integrated water The Ministry of Ecology and Natural
resources management. The goal of Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan
the Strategy is to develop a system of and the Ministry of Agriculture of the
water resources management, pro- Republic of Azerbaijan developed and
tection, water supply and wastewater approved the “Joint Action Plan to Sup-
management in Azerbaijan that ad- port Green Agriculture (2020-2023)”.
heres to international standards. The The Action Plan will contribute to the
National Water Strategy is an important implementation of SDG 2, SDG 8, SDG
document for the implementation of the 13 and SDG 15.
Convention on the Protection and Use
of Transboundary Watercourses and
International Lakes and its Protocol on 7. Alignment of draft sectoral strategic
Water and Health. Equally, the Strategy plans to be developed within Medi-
will play a significant role in the suc- um-term expenditures framework to
cessful implementation of water policy SDGs.
in Azerbaijan. The draft Strategy has
been aligned with SDG 6, SDG 12, SDG 7.1. Sector Strategic Plan on Agricul-
13, SDG 14 and SDG 17. ture.
The purpose of this draft Plan is to en-
sure food security through the efficient
5. Draft Law on amendments to the use of existing natural and economic
Law “On Protection of the Environ- resources in the Republic of Azerbaijan,
ment” of the Republic of Azerbaijan. to meet the requirements of the indus-
trial sector for raw materials and food
The draft law was adopted by Parlia- products through local production, to
ment on 20 November 2020 with the increase agricultural exports and to in-

26 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
BY 2030 2

crease employment in the regions. One 7.2. Strategic Plan on the Education
of the key areas of the Strategic Plan is Sector.
“Environmental protection, sustainable The main goal of the draft plan is to es-
use of natural resources and climate tablish a knowledge-based economy, to
change impact management on agricul- create an education system that takes
ture.” The following measures will be a leading position among the countries
implemented: of the world in terms of quality results
and coverage. Furthermore, the draft
- Create mechanisms to reduce the plan envisages the following actions
negative impact of climate change to meet the requirements of the labour
and other natural factors on agri- market and to ensure the development
culture; of national competitive human capital in
- Improve mechanisms to reduce the country:
the negative impact of agriculture - to ensure the acquisition of system-
on the environment; atized knowledge, skills and prac-
- Improve mechanisms for the sus- tices and continuous professional
tainable use of agricultural lands development;
and water resources; - to prepare students for social life
- Develop environmentally clean and productive employment;
agricultural production. - to train modern-minded and com-
petitive personnel.
The draft plan also envisages the imple- The draft plan is aligned with SDG 4
mentation of measures such as “Im- and SDG 8.
proving the system of human resources
management and training” and “Improv- 7.3 Strategic Plan on the Environmental
ing the system of science, education Sector.
and information and consulting services The main goal of the draft plan is to en-
in agriculture” over the period 2021 to sure sustainable development through
2024. environmental protection and the effi-
cient use of natural resources, protect-
Furthermore, the draft plan has identi- ing ecosystems, minimizing the harmful
fied specific goals for the medium term, impact on the environment by applying
through a strategic analysis and SWOT low-emission technologies and innova-
analysis of agriculture. In this respect, tive methods, and the restoration and
implementing agencies have been protection of its original status.
identified in line with the measures, as
have the required financial resources The draft plan will create new opportu-
for the current year and the forecast for nities for improving the environmental
the subsequent three years, and the situation, protecting the environmental
strategic indicators for the sector. The components, ensuring the right of the
project is associated with SDG 2, SDG 8 population to live in the natural envi-
and SDG 15. ronment and the efficient use of natural

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 27

 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
2 BY 2030

resources by solving existing environ- especially women and young

mental problems in the country. families, and enhance the partic-
ipation of women in political and
The draft plan relates to SDG 6, SDG 9, public life, decision-making and
SDG 13, SDG 14 and SDG 15. governance;
- Increase employment opportuni-
ties for rural women, the disabled,
8. “National Action Plan on Gender IDP and refugee women (through
Equality for the period from 2021 to vocational courses, small business
2025” project. development), and other measures.
The project will implement the following The project will support the implementa-
activities: tion of SDG 4, SDG 5, SDG 8 and SDG 10.
- Improve legislation on gender
equality and women’s rights; 9. Draft “National Action Plan for the
- Raise awareness on gender equal- period from 2020 to 2023” on the
ity and women’s rights among the implementation of “Resolution 1325
population, strengthen measures on Women, Peace and Security” in the
to combat gender-based violence, Republic of Azerbaijan.
and achieve gender equality in
the economic sphere; Resolution 1325, the first of eight UN
- Develop small business opportu- Security Council resolutions on women,
nities for women, and increase the peace and security, calls on Member
competitiveness of women in the States to collaborate on averting the
labour market; effects of armed conflict on women and
girls, protecting them from violence
- Prevent and combat gender ste- during armed conflicts, and prevent-
reotypes; ing, settling and resolving conflicts and
- Conduct research to study the increasing the representation of women
basic needs of vulnerable and at the regional and international level.
isolated groups of women and The draft plan will contribute to the im-
men, including rural women, the plementation of SDG 5 and SDG 16.
disabled, IDPs, refugees and the
elderly;
10. General Collective Agreement be-
- Enhance the participation of wom- tween the Cabinet of Ministers of the
en and girls in peace processes, Republic of Azerbaijan and the Trade
and eliminate truancy and early Unions Confederation and the Na-
marriages; tional Confederation of Entrepreneurs
- Enhance measures in the field of (Employers) Organization of Azerbai-
reproductive health and family jan Republic for the period from 2020
planning among the population, to 2022.

28 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 POLICY AND
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BY 2030 2

The main purpose of the General Col-

lective Agreement is to form a social- 1. A steadily growing, competitive
ly-oriented national economy, made economy:
possible by the successful reforms in 1.1. stable and high economic
Azerbaijan to maintain macroeconomic growth;
stability, to diversify the economy and 1.2. resistance to internal and exter-
to accelerate the development of the nal influences.
non-oil sectors and regions.
2. A dynamic, inclusive society based
In addition, the Agreement will act as a on social justice:
driver in strengthening State support for 2.1. benefits to every citizen from
entrepreneurship through socio-eco- development;
nomic policy, in ensuring the creation of 2.2. greater and fairer social security
employment opportunities and the pro- within an inclusive society;
vision of new jobs, thereby increasing 2.3. balanced development of both
the income and improving the material the capital and regions.
well-being of citizens with the aim of
reducing poverty and unemployment in 3. Competitive human capital and
the country. The Agreement is aligned space of modern innovations:
with SDG 8, SDG 9 and SDG 10. 3.1. education in compliance with the
requirements of the 21st century;
The action plans prepared for imple- 3.2. creative and innovative society;
mentation of the “2030 Agenda” focus
3.3. healthy lifestyle of citizens.
on national and regional governing or-
ganizations in terms of the importance 4. Great return to the liberated territo-
of supporting the implementation of ries:
goals and targets at the central exec- 4.1. sustainable settlement;
utive level and the significance of the 4.2. reintegration into economic ac-
role of regional and local governments tivity.
in achieving the SDGs.
5. Clean environment and “green
The importance of participation in the growth” country:
global action to achieve the SDGs was 5.1. high quality environmental envi-
demonstrated by the Decree of the ronment;
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan 5.2. green energy space.
on the approval of the “National Priori-
ties for Socio-Economic Development: The specified National Priorities are
Azerbaijan - 2030” (2 February 2021). also important with regard to the imple-
mentation of the commitments arising
According to the Decree, the following from the United Nations “Transforming
five National Priorities for the socio-eco- our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sus-
nomic development of the country must tainable Development”.
be implemented in the next decade:

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 29

 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
2 BY 2030

In the framework on “National Priori- 2.2. National ownership of SDGs

ties for Socio-Economic Development:
Azerbaijan - 2030”, the Prime Minister The policy of the State of Azerbaijan
of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed for the inclusion of the SDGs into the
the Order to establish a Commission to national development agenda for the
formalise the “Strategy for Socio-Eco- period 2018 to 2021 has continued to
nomic Development for the period be successfully implemented.
from 2021 until 2025” and facilitate the
organization and coordination process It should be underlined that the key
for planning and management. driver of nationalisation, based on
international experience, was to organ-
In order to coordinate the activities ise awareness-raising events to involve
of relevant government agencies in everyone in the process in accordance
the development of the Strategy, a with the principle of “Leaving No One
sub-working group was formulated for Behind”.
each of the following areas:
- Economic growth (National Priority The main goal the 2030 Agenda is the
1.1 and 2.3) expansion of global cooperation for
- Macroeconomic stability (National sustainable development through mul-
Priority 1.2) tilateral partnerships, to mobilize and
- Macro-fiscal framework ensuring share knowledge, experience, technol-
public debt sustainability and fis- ogy and funding to achieve the SDGs
cal stability (covers all priorities) in all countries, especially in the devel-
oping countries. In this regard, multiple
- Inclusive social development and
awareness-raising activities were imple-
social security (National Priority
mented from 2019 to 2020 to bring the
2.1. and 2.2.)
SDGs in line with national priorities. The
- Education (National Priority 3.1.)
- Innovation (National Priority 3.2.)
- Healthy lifestyle (National Priority
3.3.)
- Sustainable settlement and eco-
nomic reintegration (National
Priority 4.1 and 4.2)
- Environmental matters (National
Priority 5.1.)
- Green energy space (National
Priority 5.2.)
A Secretariat was also established in
the Ministry of Economy to coordinate
activities on the development of the
Strategy. Quality education and lifelong learning opportunities

30 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
BY 2030 2

to education for all young people and

create equal opportunities for all in line
with the principle of “Leaving No One
Behind”. Active discussions were held
among young people, Members of
Parliament and representatives of the
Ministry of Education, and rectors of
universities.

Furthermore, a video conference on

Virtual event on “Equal quality education and life- “The role of youth in the liberated ter-
long learning opportunities” ritories” was organized by the National
Coordination Council for Sustainable
activities included the following: Development. The participants ex-
changed their views on the Azerbaijani
A series of panel discussions on “Sus- youth who represent the country on
tainable Youth Development” were various platforms, as well as the active
organized in 2020 to enhance the role engagement of Azerbaijani young peo-
of youth in achieving the SDGs within ple in the restoration of the liberated
the project “Sustainable Development territories, and their contribution to the
Goals for Youth” implemented by the implementation of the SDGs.
National Coordination Council for Sus-
tainable Development. The National Coordination Council for
The event included discussions on Sustainable Development organized
“Equal quality education and lifelong a further video conference on “Sus-
learning opportunities”, and State tainable and personal development
support measures to improve access of young people in the liberated terri-

Sustainable and individual development of young

people in the liberated territories
Sustainable and personal development of young people in
the liberated territories

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 31

 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
2 BY 2030

tories” at the end of 2020. The event sequences of early marriage and truan-
focused on our glorious victory of the cy” to 730 people, through Facebook
brave Azerbaijani Army in the 44-day and e-mails.
Patriotic War under the leadership of
Victorious Commander-in-Chief of the Furthemore, a guidebook on SDG 5,
Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, and dis- namely “Practical recommendations for
cussed the role of our young people in implementation of Gender Equality Pol-
achieving the victory. Discussions were icy in Municipalities” was published by
held on the challenges faced by today’s the State Committee for Family, Women
youth in ensuring their personal devel- and Children Affairs under the frame-
opment, education, gender equality and work of mutual cooperation between the
family planning and on how these relate State Committee and the German Agen-
to the SDGs. cy for International Cooperation (GIZ).

To raising awareness and promote the On the occasion of “10 December - Hu-
engagement of all in the SDG pro- man Rights Day”, the Commissioner for
cess the Ministry of Youth and Sports Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the
held an online international confer- Republic of Azerbaijan held an online
ence on “Sustainable Development conference on the topic “Human rights
and Youth: New Opportunities and protection and advocacy in COVID-19
Challenges”, dedicated to the “11 July and wartime” to promote SDG 16.
- World Population Day”, with the goal
of enhancing the role of youth in the The Ministry of Education also played
implementation of the SDGs. Govern- an active role in the implementation of
ment officials, Parliamentarians, repre- SDG 16 during the reporting period. Of
sentatives of youth organizations and the169 targets set by the Ministry of Ed-
SDG Youth Ambassadors spoke at the ucation in relation to the 17 SDG goals,
conference and provided detailed in- 106 were taken into account within 176
formation on the activities implement- standards and applied to the general
ed to date. Young representatives education system. These standards
from other countries also attended the covered the 3rd to 11th grades and
conference to share their experiences were included in 10 subjects.
in raising awareness among young
people on the SDGs. In November 2020, the Azerbaijan
Trade Unions Confederation, in col-
The State Committee for Family, Wom- laboration with the UN and ILO, held a
en and Children’s Affairs has held mul- webinar with social partners to discuss
tiple events to promote SDG 5. Within Target 2.2 of SDG 8. This was followed
this framework, the Child and Family by a further webinar in December, orga-
Support Centres of Agdam, Goranboy, nized in collaboration with ILO-ACTRAV-
Hajigabul Saatli, Sabirabad, Zagatala ATUC, on the UN SDG Framework and
and Goygol, Zardab towns distributed the preparation of the VNR.
educational material on the topic “Con- Representatives from the Chamber of

32 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
BY 2030 2

Accounts (Supreme Audit Institution) review”. This publication is available in

of the Republic of Azerbaijan attend- Azerbaijani and English, and explains
ed various events and working group the nature of the global goals and
meetings, organized by the Internation- targets set out in the “2030 Agenda”,
al Organization of Supreme Audit Insti- highlighting the global challenges
tutions (INTOSAI), on the role of higher being faced, and providing an analysis
audit institutions in achieving the SDG of the sustainable development trends
targets, bilateral and multilateral dis- in the national context via statistical in-
cussions, exchanged experiences with dicators, describing the various graphs
colleagues, and implemented control and tables over the past decade
measures. (2010-2019). The National Information
Portal (NIP) on SDGs, released online
It should be noted that, in 2020, the by the State Statistical Committee in
Chamber of Accounts amended its 2019, plays an important role in rais-
mandate to incorporate the SDGs. ing awareness. The NIP also provides
Thus, in 2020, the Chamber conduct- regular access to information on the
ed the first performance audit, namely global goals, targets and indicators,
the “State Financial Control Measure national priorities for the SDGs, appli-
on Assessment of Forest Management cable legal framework, implementation
Activities of the Forest Development mechanisms, government programmes,
Service under the Ministry of Ecology strategies, reports and publications
and Natural Resources of the Republic in the social, economic and environ-
of Azerbaijan” which is in accordance mental spheres, along with SDG data
with the SDG 15 Indicators. through text, graphics and tables. As in
previous years, the State Oil Company
The Chamber acknowledges that forest of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR)
management is of great social, public, developed and published the “Sustain-
economic, and cultural importance, and able Development Report” during the
has global significance in the context of reporting period. The Report outlines
climate change. Therefore, to achieve the company’s economic, social and
SDG 15, in addition to assessing the environmental outputs, and is pub-
effectiveness and efficiency of forest lished in Azerbaijani and English with
development funds, the lack of funding both printed and digital (via its website)
for forestry management should be resources available to stakeholders.
also assessed and more attention paid The company uses the Report to raise
to the socio-economic significance of awareness on the SDGs among gov-
forests and greenery rather than the ernmental organizations and non-gov-
economic. ernmental organizations, international
organizations, partners, educational in-
Since 2018, the State Statistical Com- stitutions (in particular the Baku Higher
mittee began publishing an annual Oil School), staff and companies oper-
statistical compendium entitled “Sus- ating in the oil and gas industry.
tainable Development Goals: statistical

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 33

 POLICY AND
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2 BY 2030

National Innovation Contest Innovation Contests, which is a testa-

(Ideas for Change) ment to the importance of innovation
for the country.
In the context of globalization, the
expansion and dissemination of inno-
vation activities, and their application
in the field of production, creates new Projects submitted to the National
challenges for countries. The competi- Innovation Contests
tiveness of the countries that promote
high value-added industries at the In this respect, the Ministry of Justice’s
global and regional levels has a very support to innovative projects, especial-
positive impact on the development of ly the “Electronic Power of Attorney for
innovation. Vehicles” project, which won the First
“National Innovation Contest”, will help
In this regard, to encourage innovation, improve the quality of social services
promote high value-added sectors, provided to various groups, ensure
and support the implementation of the innovation-based progress, encourage
“Azerbaijan 2020: Look into the future” the operation of innovation subjects
Concept of Development and “Strategic and increase efficiency.
Road Maps for National Economy and
Main Economic Sectors”, the Ministry of More than 200 projects were included
Economy and the UNDP Country Office in the National Innovation Contests in
organized three “National Innovation 2019, of which 36% were related to
Contests” which had already become social, 30% to the economy, and 34% to
a tradition as a result of previous suc- the environment.
cessful collaboration. This contest is the
first national competition in Azerbaijan The winning projects were:
to promote the SDGs. 1. “Secret of Longevity” project:
The project was concerned with
To ensure the sustainability of activities promoting the green economy
in the relevant fields, and to collect, and environmentally friendly agri-
evaluate and reward ideas and projects cultural production in line with the
in the selected areas, the Ministry of relevant targets of SDG 3, SDG 8
Economy, Ministry of Transport, Com- and SDG 15.
munications and High Technologies and 2. “Nanomembrane” project:
State Agency for Public Service and So- The project envisages the appli-
cial Innovations formalized their mutual cation of an economically viable
cooperation through a Memorandum of method of decontamination of vari-
Understanding in 2017. ous origins in the agrarian industry,
and thus contributes to achieving
In 2018 the Ernst & Young office in Baku the relevant targets of SDG 6, SDG
together with the Ministry of Culture 7, SDG 13 and SDG 14.
organised and promoted the National

34 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
BY 2030 2

2.3. Support of NGOs and In November 2019, an international

private sector in the conference on “SDGs and Business
implementation of the SDGs Environment” was organised by the
Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confedera-
tion (AEC) and the International Labour
Creating inclusive and sustainable
Organization (ILO) and was attended by
economic growth opportunities for all
government officials, representatives of
and “Leaving No One Behind” is a pri-
international organizations and various
ority for the Government of Azerbaijan.
business enterprises. Discussions at the
The Government also demonstrates a
event covered such topics as the imple-
strong will to transition to sustainable
mentation of SDGs in Azerbaijan, the
development and align its national
main obstacles and challenges in the
development strategy with the SDGs.
Furthermore, the importance of involv- business environment, as well as the
ing stakeholders, especially non-gov- creation of a favourable environment for
ernmental organizations and the private sustainable enterprises in Azerbaijan.
sector, in accelerating the implementa-
tion of the SDGs and at the same time At the same time, to enhance the role
increasing the efficiency of their imple- of the private sector in the implemen-
mentation, is acknowledged. In this re- tation of the SDGs, the Entrepreneur-
spect, government agencies which are ship Development Fund developed a
members of the National Coordination concept document which combines
Council for Sustainable Development, environmental protection, social policy
held regular meetings and discussions and corporate governance (ESG) fac-
with NGOs and the private sector. tors to contribute to implementing the
2030 Agenda. The specified factors will
To enhance the role of NGOs in the im- directly influence to the SDGs and, at
plemention of the 2030 Agenda, coop- the same time, contribute to increase
eration with several NGOs was initiated the source of funding.
and activities implemented under the
projects “Increasing the role of PWDs In support of the implementation of
and other vulnerable social groups as the SDGs, the Ministry of Labour and
entrepreneurs in ensuring sustainable Social Protection of Population and
economic development and provide a the Association of Banks of Azerbaijan
foundation for solving existing problems began a joint project entitled “Support
in this sphere in Azerbaijan in compli- to Self-Employment”. The goal of the
ance with the principles of UN SDGs”, project is to provide financial (bank)
and “Organization of online workshops and other assistance to unemployed
on the role of entrepreneurs in ensuring low-income people, including people
sustainable economic development in with disabilities, martyrs’ families, IDPs,
Azerbaijan”; both projects were devel- recipients of targeted state social assis-
oped by the Council on State Support tance and other vulnerable groups, to
to NGOs under the Auspices of the enable them to start small businesses.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. To date 666 citizens have been provid-

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 35

 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
2 BY 2030

ed with assistance under the project.

Elements of ESG factors The project activities are expected to
contribute to achieving the main targets
of SDG 1, SDG 8 and SDG 10.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Climate change and carbon emissions; During the reporting period, the Entre-
Air and water pollution; preneurship Development Fund provid-
ed AZN 368,000 in soft loans to finance
Biodiversity conservation;
the investment projects of 23 IDP en-
Prevention of deforestation; trepreneurs through authorized credit
Use of alternative energy; institutions. Through these projects 27
Waste management; new jobs were created and five Limited
Solution to water scarcity (non-com- Liability Companies were launched by
the Small and Medium Business Devel-
pliance of clean water resources with
opment Agency (SMBDA) in new set-
standard water requirements) and etc. tlements in the Fizuli region. 15 green-
houses with an area of 160 m2 each
SOCIAL POLICY were built and 150 bee families with 10
bee families were given to 15 families
Customer satisfaction; in Jojug Marjanli village of the Jabrayil
Gender and diversity issues; region. These project activities will con-
Ensuring employment; tribute to implementing SDG 1, SDG 8,
Regulating community relations; SDG 10 and SDG 17.
Protection of human rights;
Taking into account the complex nature
Ensuring health and safety; of public-private partnership projects,
Employee standards; the new model for Azerbaijan and the
Supporting vulnerable segments of knowledge and skills required for their
population, etc. implementation, the SMBDA paid spe-
cial attention to building the capacity
and education of stakeholders. The
GOVERNANCE Public-Entrepreneurship Partnership
Board composition; Development Centre of the SMBDA
Fighting bribery and corruption; organized online workshops on pub-
lic-private partnership (PPP) in cooper-
High business reputation and maintain- ation with the Istanbul Public-Private
ing it; Partnership Centre of Excellence and
Political contribution (support); the Energy Regulatory Agency. The
Availability of documents in compli- goal of the events, which included the
ance with International Financial Re- participation of various government
agencies and business representatives,
porting Standards, and etc.
is to raise awareness about the devel-
opment of public-private partnership in

36 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 POLICY AND
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
BY 2030 2

Azerbaijan and to expand the applica- develop the PPP environment. An of-
tion of this model, as well as to study ficial request was filed with the Asian
relevant overseas expertise. The staff of Development Bank’s Asia Pacific Project
the Centre also participated in multiple Preparation Facility (AP3F), and an agree-
training sessions organized by the PPP ment was reached regarding a techni-
with the support of the Black Sea Trade cal assistance project on grant funding
and Development Bank and the Euro- for the “Capacity Building Assistance:
pean Union. Support to the Azerbaijan Public-Private
Partnership Development Centre and the
The Public-Entrepreneurial Partnership Project Development Fund”.
Development Centre and the Istanbul
Public-Private Partnership Centre of Through the Multilateral Platform for
Excellence signed a Memorandum of Sustainable Infrastructure (SIF) a pre-
Understanding with regard to collabo- liminary agreement was reached to
ration and the organization of events integrate the SIF SOURCE platform,
for PPP information and expertise which offers a unique mechanism and
exchange, training sessions and work- tools, into the PPP project development
shops, the how to attract foreign in- process and relevant IT resources in
vestment from Turkey through the PPP Azerbaijan. This agreement facilitates
model, and the provision of support to the effective planning of PPP projects
design relevant projects, etc. managed by the Fund, coordination
with relevant agencies, monitoring and
Measures are also being taken to use supervision of the process and in partic-
international support mechanisms to ular attracts international investment.

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 37

38 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan
STRENGTHENING
PARTNERSHIPS
TO SUPPORT THE
IMPLEMENTATION

3
OF SDGs

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 39

 STRENGTHENING
PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT
3 THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDGs

Signing ceremony of UN-Azerbaijan Sustainable Development

Cooperation Framework for the period 2021 to 2025.

Cooperation with international orga- nation with the Ministry of Economy in

nizations (relevant UN agencies and August 2020.
other international organizations) to
achieve the SDGs in Azerbaijan con- Furthermore, a decision was made to
tinued successfully in 2020. The doc- develop the “UN-Azerbaijan Sustain-
uments signed with regard to cooper- able Development Cooperation Frame-
ation with international partners also work for the period 2021 to 2025”,
focus on sustainable development which defines the subsequent areas of
issues. In this respect, the United cooperation between the UN and Azer-
Nations-Azerbaijan Partnership Frame- baijan. In January 2020, a consultation
work (UNAPF) for the period 2016 workshop was held to draft the Frame-
to 2020, is particularly relevant. The work, with the participation of relevant
“Final Evaluation Report” and “Joint government agencies, civil society,
Action Plans for 2019-2020” were private sector, youth organizations, and
agreed and approved by the members academic circles, at which priority areas
of the Steering Committee in coordi- of the document were defined.

40 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 STRENGTHENING
PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDGs 3

The resulting Framework for coopera- tion), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG
tion is based on the principles of “Leav- 12 (Responsible Consumption and
ing No One Behind”, human rights, gen- Production), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice
der equality, sustainable development, and Strong Institutions), and SDG
sustainability and accountability, and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The
is in compliance with the SDGs of the Outcome affects industry, innovation
2030 Agenda. The future outlook, aris- and infrastructure (SDG 9), reducing
ing from the general analysis process inequality (SDG 10), and sustainable
and the analysis of potential gaps in the cities and communities (SDG 11).
country, has been specified and divided - Priority Area 3 focuses on SDG 6
into four priority areas, which will be the (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG
focus of the UN development system 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy),
during the period from 2021 to 2025. SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15
(Life on Land). The Outcome affects
Priority Area 1: Inclusive Growth that quality education (SDG 4), reducing
Reduces Vulnerability inequality (SDG 10), sustainable cities
and Builds Resilience. and communities (SDG 11), protecting
Priority Area 2: Stronger Institutions for life below water (SDG 14), and part-
Better Public and Social nership for the Goals (SDG 17).
Services Delivery. - Priority Area 4 focuses on SDG
Priority Area 3: Protecting the Environ- 3 (Good Health and Well-being),
ment and Addressing and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The
Climate Change. Outcome affects good health and
Priority Area 4: A Gender-Equitable well-being (SDG 3), quality education
Society that Empowers (SDG 4), reducing inequality (SDG
Women and Girls. 10), partnership for the Goals (SDG
17).
The Priority Areas relate to each SDG
as follows:
- Priority Area 1 focuses on SDG 2 In the framework of sharing the best
(Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work experience on the implementation of
and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 the SDGs, the Azerbaijan delegation
(Industry, Innovation and Infrastruc- attended several prestigious confer-
ture). The Outcome affects poverty ences and workshops, and delivered
(SDG 1), quality education (SDG 4), speeches on the difficulties and future
reducing inequality (SDG 10), sustain- challenges of achieving the SDGs
able cities and communities (SDG 11) (the UN Economic and Social Council
and promoting peaceful and inclu- (ECOSOC) High-Level Political Forum
sive societies (SDG 16). on Sustainable Development (HLPF),
July 2020 (held virtually); the Regional
- Priority Area 2 focuses on SDG 1 (No Forum on Sustainable Development of
Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and the United Nations Economic Commis-
Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Educa- sion for Europe (UNECE), March 2020;

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 41

 STRENGTHENING
PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT
3 THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDGs

the 7th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustain- USD 100 million project was approved
able Development of the United Na- with World Bank support, entitled “Em-
tions Economic and Social Commission ployment Support in Azerbaijan”. The
for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), project will contribute to SDG 8 and is
May 2020, (video conference); and the expected to attract 2,000 people to
North and Central Asian Multi-Stake- self-employment small business oppor-
holder Forum on Implementation of the tunities during 2020 and reach a further
Sustainable Development Goals within 5,000 people each year between 2021-
the framework of UNESCAP from Sep- 2025.
tember 2020).
A related project, “Creating Inclusive
Furthermore, with the support of UN and Decent Jobs for Socially Vulner-
agencies, Azerbaijan delegations par- able Groups”, launched in December
ticipated in various SDG-related inter- 2018 by the Ministry of Labour and
national events in 2020, including the Social Protection of Population in col-
“SDG Moment” (18.09.2020), “Financing laboration with the UN Development
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable De- Programme, strengthens the social
velopment in the Era of COVID-19 and protection of persons with disabilities,
Beyond” (29.09. 2020), “Financing the enhances the capacities of unemployed
implementation of SDGs” (28.05.2020), job-seekers among the less fortunate
and VNR workshops for countries pre- segments of society and introduces
senting at the HLPF in 2021. A decision them to a wide array of opportunities in
was made at the level of the Govern- the formal labour market in accordance
ment of the Republic of Azerbaijan to with the principle of “Leaving No One
submit the subsequent Voluntary Na- Behind”. The project covers the peri-
tional Review of Azerbaijan during the od 2019 to 2024, and it is expected to
HLPF for Sustainable Development to involve 500 people with disabilities in
be held under the auspices of ECOSOC self-employment activities each year.
in 2021. In this respect, a letter was sent Within the project, 693 disabled people
to the President of ECOSOC in August have already participated in training
2020 on behalf of the Deputy Prime sessions in 12 pilot districts (Absheron,
Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Shamakhi, Goychay, Zagatala, Shamkir,
Chairman of the National Coordination Barda, Fizuli regions, Binagadi, Sabun-
Council for Sustainable Development, chu districts of Baku and Ganja, Min-
and our country was added to the list of gachevir and Sumgait cities).
countries to submit a Voluntary National
Review in 2021. During the reporting period, Azerbaijan
provided humanitarian, financial and
In accordance with the instruction of technical assistance to 33 countries, via
the President of the Republic of Azer- the World Health Organization, ISES-
baijan to support the access of 22,000 CO and the United Nations Relief and
people to small business support under Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
the self-employment programme, a in the Near East (UNRWA) provided

42 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 STRENGTHENING
PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDGs 3

humanitarian, financial and other tech- nization amounting to USD 10 million

nical assistance. Support was also over the period under review. At the
provided to help fight the COVID-19 same time, the Government provided
pandemic on a bilateral and multilateral USD 5 million in humanitarian assis-
basis. Furthermore, at the beginning tance to the Islamic Republic of Iran
of 2020, Azerbaijan allocated USD on a humanitarian basis to combat the
50,000 to help address the severe con- COVID-19 pandemic.
sequences of forest fires in Australia,
and USD 20,000 to address the severe Azerbaijan currently ranks 54th among
socio-economic difficulties caused by 166 countries, in the “Sustainable De-
the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic velopment Goals Index” of the United
Republic of Congo and in the region fol- Nations Sustainable Development
lowing a request by the African Union. Report 2020. According to a report by
the World Economic Forum, Azerbaijan
The Government of Azerbaijan has ranks the 3rd in the Inclusive Devel-
also made two voluntary financial con- opment Index among 74 developing
tributions to the World Health Orga- countries.

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 43

44 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan
THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS
ON THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE 2030 AGENDA

4
Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 45
 THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS ON THE
4 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA

Figure 1. Real growth rate of GDP and Non-oil-gas GDP real growth rate (%)

Real growth rate of GDP Non-oil-gas GDP real growth rate

Source: SSC

The COVID-19 Coronavirus infection terms and amounted to AZN 72.432

detected on 31 December 2019 was de- billion in current prices, and GDP per
clared a pandemic by the World Health capita declined by 5.0% and amount-
Organization on 11 March 2020. The ed to AZN 7,262.8. During this period,
pandemic dealt a devastating blow to value added production in the non-oil
the global economic value chain, in- and gas sector declined by 2.6%, and in
cluding the economies and health sys- connection with the fulfilment of Azer-
tems of countries. Due to the impact of baijan’s obligations under the “OPEC
the pandemic on Azerbaijan’s economy, Plus” agreement it declined by 7.0% in
in 2020 GDP declined by 4.3% in real the oil and gas sector.

Figure 2. Production structure of GDP (2020, %)

Production of goods Production of services Net taxes on production and imports

Source: SSC

46 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA 4

In 2020, oil production was 34.6 mil- by the Government also serves to en-
lion tons (7.8% decrease) and com- sure the continuation of activities under
mercial gas production was 26.1 billion the SDGs. The support programme
m3 (6.3% increase). The added value focuses on the following areas:
generated in 2020 was produced as
follows: industry 33.7%; trade, repair of Protection of economic activity
vehicles 11.5%; construction 7.7%; trans- - Direct financial support to
port and warehousing 7.1%; agriculture, 300,000 individual entrepreneurs
forestry and fishing 6.9%; information in the affected sectors of the
and communication 2.0%; tourist ac- economy;
commodation and catering 1.2%; and - Partial payment of salaries to
other spheres 20.2%. Net taxes on 300,000 employees in the affect-
products and imports amounted to 9.7% ed sectors of the economy;
of GDP.
- Temporary exemptions from taxes,
The pandemic and derived sharp insurance, and customs payments
fluctuations in the global energy and in the affected sectors of the
stock markets, as well as obligatory economy;
lockdowns in the country to protect the - Provision of financial support to
health of the population, began affect- vital sections of the passenger
ing economic activity, including trade, transportation sector;
tourism and construction, from the sec- - Issuance of State guarantees and
ond quarter. In order to ensure sustain- subsidised interest rates on bank
able development, as well as reduce loans to businesses operating in
the negative impact of the pandemic pandemic-affected areas;
on the country’s economy and employ- - Subsidisation of part of the inter-
ment, the Government adopted and im- est rate on existing bank loans
mediately implemented an Action Plan without State guarantees.
of preventative and urgent actions. A
secretariat of heads of relevant govern- Employment, social welfare support
ment agencies and institutions was es- and public health protection
tablished under the Cabinet of Ministers - Provision of a lump-sum payment
of the Republic of Azerbaijan and nec- equalling the minimum subsis-
essary regulatory measures were taken tence rate to people who have
accordingly. A support programme esti- lost their jobs, the non-formally
mated at about USD 1.47 billion (3.1% of employed and those from low-in-
GDP) was drawn up, not only related to come families (600,000 people);
anti-crisis measures, but also as a pro-
gramme of economic expansion, credit - Creation of 90,000 paid public
expansion and stimulation of aggregate jobs;
demand. Since it seeks to preserve the - Payment of tuition fees from the
social balance and economic develop- State budget for students from
ment in the post-pandemic period, the socially vulnerable families;
wide-ranging support package adopted - Allocation of funds from the State

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 47

 THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS ON THE
4 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA

budget to protect the health of the Actions taken on Fiscal Policy

population and to meet the needs
of citizens for medical masks; In the framework of these measures,
- Temporary increase of existing dis- the provision of tax relief and tax hol-
count limits on electricity use, etc. idays for entrepreneurs is considered
a key priority. Two laws - “On Amend-
Other measures: ments to the Tax Code of the Republic
- Non-periodic calculation of rents of Azerbaijan” and “On Amendments to
on State property and the State the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Land Fund; on Social Insurance” were entered into
force to reduce the negative impact of
- Temporary exemptions from cus-
the pandemic on the business environ-
toms duties for relevant food and
ment in the short and medium term, as
medical products necessary for
well as to support economic growth
the population;
during the pandemic.
- Continuation of State support The period of tax relief and tax holidays
measures and promotion of pri- provided for in the law “On Amend-
vate investments in the areas ments to the Tax Code of the Republic
identified as the main priorities of of Azerbaijan” covers the period from 1
the State’s economic policy in the January 2020 to 1 January 2021.
medium-term, etc.

48 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA 4

1. All taxpayers engaged in the be- 4. In addition to the above tax exemp-
low-listed business activities, which tions, the following relief is provided
are directly affected by the pandem- for the affected areas of economic
ic, are fully exempt from property and activities described in (1) above:
land taxes and from profit tax with re- - 50% exemption (i.e. tax rate reduc-
spect to 75% of the profits (income): tion from 14% to 7%) from withhold-
- Inland motorway (including taxi) ing tax applied on rental fees paid
passenger transportation (inter-ur- to individuals leasing out immov-
ban and inter-regional; intra-ur- able property, for those taxpayers
ban and intra-district); hotels and engaged in above-listed activities
other hotel-type accommodation affected by the pandemic;
facilities; - Exemption from making and re-
- Travel agency and tourism opera- porting current tax payments for
tions; one year, extension of the dead-
- Transportation and (or) delivery of line of the tax payments for 2019
goods on order, including meals, until 1 September 2020;
food and non-food items from - Extension of the deadline for
sellers to buyers; payment of profit (income) and
- Catering; property taxes assessed for the
- Organization of exhibitions, stage, prior year for those taxpayers not
recreation and entertainment considered micro-entrepreneurs
(game), cinema, theatre, museum under the temporary tax regime
and concert halls; until 1 September of the current
year;
- Sports and health-care facilities;
- Preparatory (education) and pro- - Deferment of assessment of inter-
fessional development courses, est on unpaid taxes, compulsory
child learning and development state social insurance and unem-
centres, children’s clubs, and psy- ployment insurance fees from 1
chology centres. April 2020 to 1 January 2021.

2. Areas, in which the activities were fully 5. For micro-entrepreneurs:

or partially restricted as a result of the - 50% exemption on simplified tax;
relevant executive authority given to - Tax holiday awarded until 1 Sep-
protect the health and safety of the tember 2020 for filing simplified
population in connection with the tax returns and profit (income) tax
spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. returns, and property tax returns
for the first and second quarters of
3. 50% simplified tax exemption for 2020 and for paying the assessed
taxpayers engaged in public catering tax to the budget.
and passenger transportation are
in addition to the above-mentioned 6. The following tax relief was provided
property and land tax exemptions. for all entrepreneurs:

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 49

 THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS ON THE
4 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA

- Deduction of expenditures from 15% in other areas - taking into

income, without any limitation, account the differing regional
which are incurred by a taxpayer interest rates);
on necessary preventive mea- - Calculation of mandatory State
sures, including disinfection, in social insurance fees from 1 Jan-
order to prevent the epidemic and uary 2021 to 1 January 2026 by
protect the life and health of the the amount of minimum monthly
population; salary activity (25% in construc-
- Exemption from VAT on imports tion and trade, 15% in other areas
of certain products (goods) nec- - taking into account the differing
essary for the food and medical regional interest rates).
needs of the population.
2. Payments of State social insurance
fees made with a fixed receipt to re-
Actions taken on duce the social insurance burden of
Social Insurance taxpayers operating with a fixed receipt
and badge, calculations of the social
In accordance with the law “On Amend- insurance fees made by taking into
ments to the Law of the Republic of account the differing regional interest
Azerbaijan on Social Insurance”, dated rates, and administration of compulsory
8 May 2020 the following stipulations state social insurance and procedures
were put in place: on social insurance payments simpli-
fied.
1. Within the framework of social re-
forms in the country, the amount of the 3. Mandatory State social insurance fee
minimum monthly salary was set at AZN for each family member of individuals
250 from 1 September, 2019. This sig- using agricultural lands owned by them,
nificant change resulted in an increase depending on the area of the land, cal-
in the amount of compulsory state culated by the amount of the minimum
social insurance fees, calculated from monthly salary:
a percentage of the minimum monthly - Up to 5 hectares - 2%;
salary on income from non-employment - From 5 to 10 hectares - 6%;
activities. Therefore, the calculations on - More than 10 hectares - 10%.
mandatory State social insurance fees
for insured people receiving an income Furthermore, the law provides for the
from activities not related to employ- payment of a compulsory State social
ment were provided for as follows: insurance fee by landowners upon
- Calculation of mandatory State receipt of the “Receipt on payment of a
social insurance fee from 1 April fixed amount of simplified tax and com-
2020 to 1 January 2021, by the pulsory state social insurance fee”.
amount of the minimum monthly
salary for entrepreneurial activity 4. For members of the Bar Association,
(25% in construction and trade, independent auditors and indepen-

50 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA 4

dent accountants the Law specifies Decision of the Cabinet of Ministers

the payment of mandatory State social “On payment of tuition fees for stu-
insurance fees in the amount of 10% dents belonging to socially vulnerable
of their income after the deduction of groups”, No. 138, dated 13 April 2020.
expenses.

As a consequence of the above-men- Actions taken on Social-Welfare

tioned provisions, the potential det-
rimental effects on the stability of the Pursuant to the Action Plan adopted
economy were prevented, economic by the Cabinet of Ministers to reduce
development was sustained, the social the negative impact of the pandemic
protection of employees working in the on businesses, a portion of the sala-
areas of economic activity at risk of be- ries of employees working in the areas
ing negatively affected by the COVID-19 affected by the pandemic were paid,
pandemic were reinforced, and the risk and financial support was provided to
of job losses and low employment lev- individual and micro-entrepreneurs. By
els was minimized. 1 January 2021, AZN 82.7 million had
been transferred to the bank accounts
of 107,303 taxpayers from the funds al-
Actions taken on Education located under the financial support pro-
gramme for individual (micro) entrepre-
Quick action was taken and measures neurs operating in the areas affected
put in place to ensure the continua- by the pandemic. In connection with the
tion of education during the COVID-19 payment of a certain portion of the sal-
pandemic. With the suspension of aries of employees, AZN 206.5 million
the teaching and learning process in was transferred to the bank accounts of
educational institutions, the Ministry 25,088 taxpayers.
of Education launched TV lessons on
Azerbaijan State TV Channels for stu- Furthermore, the employment and
dents at general education institutions. social welfare of 48% of the country’s
From March 2020 to April 2021, a total population (4.8 million people) was
of 4,274 TV lessons covering general protected by the implementation of 12
education subjects were broadcast, measures in 4 areas. During this period,
which benefited more than 1.6 million the Centralized Electronic Information
students across the country. It should System of the Ministry of Labour and
be noted that the educational platform Social Protection of Population inves-
used in Azerbaijan during the pandemic tigated the numerous terminations of
was included in the list presented on employment contracts through the
the UNESCO website. “Employment Contract Notification”
subsystem, providing recommendations
Furthermore, to minimize the impact of to employers, posting notifications
the pandemic on education, the tuition in the subsystem and providing daily
fees of approximately 21,000 students supervision.
were paid off, in accordance with the

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 51

 THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS ON THE
4 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA

In accordance with the Action Plan, rele- In 2020, 12,000 unemployed and
vant activities were carried out to pre- job-seekers benefitted from the
vent unjustified dismissals and layoffs of self-employment programme, with
public sector employees and to ensure 7,250 involved in agriculture, and
employees on leave retained their sal- 3,350 in services and production pro-
aries. Thus salaries were protected for grammes.
9,164,000 jobs in the public sector and
7,302,000 jobs in the private sector. Pursuant to the Decision of the Cabinet
of Ministers, “On simplification of the
As a result of targeted interventions, procedure for providing targeted state
the number of labour contracts contin- social assistance to low-income fami-
ued to grow, and the total number had lies in the fight against the new strain
increased by 31% (400,000 contracts) of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic”
by 29 December 2020 compared to the during the special quarantine period in
beginning of 2018 (61% , approximately the Republic of Azerbaijan, the target-
301,000, private, the remainder public). ed state social assistance expiring on
1 March 2020, for certain families, was
On the initiative of the President of the extended to 1 July 2020.
Republic of Azerbaijan, 38,000 paid
public jobs were created to ensure According to the Order of the Cabinet
the active employment of those un- of Ministers of the Republic of Azer-
employed people with special needs baijan “On extension of the period of
for social protection and who found disability of the persons with disabilities
securing employment difficult, to sup- in the fight against the new strain of
port their entry into the labour market. Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic”, dat-
Despite the quarantine imposed during ed 7 April 2020, the period of disability
the pandemic, the number of jobs cre- of those persons who’s disability period
ated reached 90,000. expired on 1 March 2020, including chil-
dren under 18 years of age with disabil-
In order to strengthen the social pro- ities, was extended until 1 July 2020 in
tection of unemployed people, the territories under the special quarantine
lump-sum payment programme, in the regime, and until 11 September 2020 in
amount of AZN 190 of the approved regions and cities under the hardened
subsistence minimum in the country, special quarantine regime.
was extended to cover 600,000 peo-
ple, with payments fully secured in Under the special quarantine regime, all
April-May 2020. citizens over the age of 65 at high risk
of infection during the special quaran-
Payments were made in those cities tine regime were instructed to remain
where strict quarantine measure had in their homes. In this regard, the Min-
been imposed and a total of AZN 450 istry of Labour and Social Protection of
million was spent to cover these expen- Population mobilized social workers, to
ditures. provides these citizens with daily social
services at home (household chores,

52 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS ON THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA 4

“New Clinic” hospital for treatment of coronavirus patients.

basic necessities, purchase of phar- groups in all regions and cities of the
maceuticals, payment of utilities, etc.). country. The Union also provided food
These social services were provided to assistance to the families of 30,000
15,000 older and disabled people and children with disabilities.
those living alone, in Baku and other
regions of the country.
Actions taken on Health Issues
A total of 100,000 families of older and
disabled people, those living alone, In addition to the challenges faced by
other vulnerable groups, the bereaved, the economy, social welfare and the
and large families or children with dis- environment, the COVID-19 pandemic
abilities, were provided with food three put the health-care system under enor-
times during the year with the support mous pressure. Urgent measures were
of social partners. immediately put in place by the Govern-
ment to address the new and mounting
The interventions and social projects challenges being faced.
of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which
are based on the principles of human- To minimize the impact of the pandemic
ism and compassion and goodwill on health, technical and material im-
in caring for vulnerable populations provements were made in Coronavirus
groups became prominent and wide- detection and laboratory numbers were
spreaad during the pandemic. The increased: daily testing capacity of
Foundation’s Regional Development 4,050 in March increasing to 15,800 by
Public Union provided food assistance January 2021.
to citizens living alone and vulnerable

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 53

 THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC AND THE CRISIS ON THE
4 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA

Furthermore, health-care personnel Moreover, 13 modular hospitals were

from abroad arrived in Azerbaijan to built to address the challenges posed
provide assistance in overcoming the by the pandemic in the health sector.
difficulties created by the COVID-19 The main goal of these modular hospi-
pandemic. In March 2021, 115 overseas tals was to efficiently treat those people
doctors were involved in the country’s infected with the virus. By June 2020,
COVID-19 response. five modular hospitals had been built
in the regions - Shaki, Ismayilli, Gabala,
A decision was taken by the Govern- Gobustan and Ganja, and eight in Baku,
ment to boost the salaries of health- Sumgait and Absheron, with bed stock
care workers with special, ‘time-limited’ totalling 3,756 beds. The largest num-
payments, in light of the extreme condi- ber of beds (1,729) were in the Modular
tions caused by the COVID-19 infection Hospital of the Medical Centre of the
in the public and private health-care fa- Ministry of Emergency Situations.
cilities. In this regard, the following rules
were specified in accordance with the In the post-pandemic period, Azerbai-
Law on “Provision of time-limit supple- jan is entering a qualitatively new stage
ments to the salaries of health workers and a strategic period covering 2021
involved in actions to fight against the to 2030. The long-term vision for the
new strain of Coronavirus (COVID-19) national economy for 2020 and beyond
infection”: is to strengthen the competitiveness
- Employees carrying out preven- of the Azerbaijani economy, which has
tive medical measures – to re- entered a path of sustainable develop-
ceive an amount three-times that ment, by creating more value through
of the monthly (tariff) salary; multilaterally-beneficial cooperation.
- Medical workers providing emer- The goal of finding sources of high
gency medical services, as well as economic growth through a new gen-
laboratory workers dealing with eration of structural and institutional
the inspection of biological mate- reforms, of further strengthening the
rial – to receive an amount four- power of the State of Azerbaijan and
times that of the monthly official of building a high welfare and inclusive
salary; society must be secured in the new
strategic period; one characterized by
- Employees providing in-patient actively utilising the latest technologies.
medical services to patients - to
receive an amount five-times that
of the monthly (tariff) salary.

54 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

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5
Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 55
 PROGRESS IN
5 THEMATIC GOALS

GOAL 1
End poverty in
all its forms
everywhere.

This goal aims to eradicate extreme 1.1.1. Proportion of population below the
poverty for all people everywhere, international poverty line, by sex, age,
reduce at least by half the proportion of employment status and geographical
the population living in poverty in all its location (urban/rural).
dimensions according to national defini- The ‘international poverty line’ is cur-
tions, implement nationally appropriate rently USD 1.90 a day. The proportion
social protection measures for all and of the population living below the inter-
achieve the the substantial coverage of national poverty line in the Republic of
the poor and the vulnerable by 2030. Azerbaijan has been 0% since 2015.
1.1. By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty 1.2. By 2030, reduce at least by half
for all people everywhere, currently the proportion of men, women and
measured as people living on less than children of all ages living in poverty in
USD 1.25 a day. all its dimensions according to national
definitions.

Figure 3. Proportion of population below the national poverty line, by sex, %

7
5,9 6,1
6 5,7 5,6
5,4 5,3 5,2
4,9 5,1 4,9 5
5 4,8 4,7

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

total population men women

Source: SSC

56 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 PROGRESS IN
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In accordance with the Millennium in the proportion of the population

Declaration, Azerbaijan has imple- living below the national poverty line
mented comprehensive measures between 2010 and 2019 at the current
in the fight against poverty and has pace is considered a positive trend.
achieved significant results. Following
the implementation of a number of 1.3. Implement nationally appropriate
State programmes, including the State social protection systems and mea-
programmes on poverty reduction and sures for all, including floors, and by
economic development, the poverty 2030 achieve substantial coverage of
rate has been significantly reduced, the poor and the vulnerable.
the overall well-being of people has 1.3.1. Proportion of population covered
been improved, and the social protec- by social protection floors/systems,
tion of vulnerable population has been by sex, distinguishing children, unem-
strengthened. ployed persons, older persons, persons
with disabilities, pregnant women, new-
1.2.1. Proportion of population living borns, work-injury victims and the poor
below the national poverty line, by sex and the vulnerable.
and age.
The proportion of the country’s popu- The Targeted State Social Assistance
lation living below the national poverty (TSSA) programme has been applied
line decreased from 4.9% in 2015 to in the country since 2006 as a passive
4.8% in 2019 (4.7% for men, and 5% for social protection measure. As a social
women), with 4.5% in urban areas and protection tool, the TSSA seeks to
5.2% in rural areas. Overall, the decline meet the minimum financial needs of

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 57

 PROGRESS IN
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the poor and low-income segments of the average monthly amount of TSA per
the population. This social programme family was AZN 240, and the average
plays a special role in improving the monthly amount per person was AZN
welfare of this group of families, and in 57.2. 53.3% (or 171,796 people) of family
solving their social and financial prob- members receiving TSSA are women,
lems. The purpose of the TSSA is to 46.7% (or 150,282 people) are men,
provide financial assistance to low-in- 54% (or 173,763 people) are children un-
come families in accordance with their der 18 years of age.
income with a view to improving their
social welfare. The amount of assis- A number of amendments were made
tance is calculated as the difference to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan
between the average monthly income on Targeted State Social Assistance
of the family and the sum of the needs in 2020 with a view to facilitating the
criterion for each family member. The shift from unsustainable passive social
level of the needs criterion for 2020 security measures to sustainable active
was set at AZN 160, and the subsis- labour market measures by providing
tence minimum in the country was set support to people from low-income
at AZN 190. In 2021, these figures were families to create and develop their
set at AZN 170 and AZN 196, respec- own businesses in line with their capac-
tively. Over the past period, the needs ities or to increase their income through
criterion and the subsistence minimum self-employment.
in the country have been steadily in-
creased. Compared to 2006, the needs In 2020, the State Social Protection
criterion in 2020 has increased by 5.3 Fund paid social benefits to a total of
times, and the subsistence minimum in 488,000 people or 5.1% of the popu-
the country has increased by 3.3 times. lation (398,000 people or 4.1% of the
population received monthly benefits,
In 2020, 76,827 families with 322,078 while 90,000 people or 0.9% received
family members received TSSA. Thus, a lump-sum allowance), and the presi-

Table 1: Disaggregation of recipients of social benefits in 2020

Number Proportion (%)

Number of recipients of social benefits 525,500 100
Number of recipients of disability pension 176,183 33.5
Number of children with disabilities under the
50,964 9.7
age of 18 receiving disability pension
Number of recipients of old-age pension 96,996 18.5
Number of recipients of childbirth allowance 117,059 22.3
Number of recipients of funeral allowance 4,469 0.9
Source: Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population

58 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 PROGRESS IN
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dental benefits were paid to 276,000 parental care from AZN 61 to AZN 100;
people or 2.9% of the population. In allowance for children of active-duty
total, 83,700 people were entitled, military servicement from AZN 68 to
through an electronic system, to re- AZN 100; allowance for women with
ceive social benefits. 54.7% (or 214,400 more than five children from AZN 33 to
people) of those receiving monthly so- AZN 55 per child; childbirth allowance
cial benefits were women, while 45.3% from AZN 109 to AZN 200; and funeral
(or 177,400 people) were men. Social allowance from AZN 146 to AZN 300.
benefits are awarded to those who are In addition, the amounts of presidental
not entitled to a retirement pension, benefits have been increased for some
and are intended to meet a minimum categories of people, and a number of
standard of living or to meet their spe- new pensions have been established.
cific needs in a certain area. With the aim of stimulating the adoption
of children deprived of parental care, a
In accordance with the “Program of new type of monthly social allowance
social protection and rehabilitation of (allowance for an adopted child, and
persons with disabilities”, and with a allowance for an adopted child under
view to improving the living conditions 18 years of age with disabilities) was es-
of citizens, 2,783 vulnerable people in tablished by the relevant decrees of the
2019, and 4,943 vulnerable people in President of the Republic of Azerbai-
2020 were provided with lump sum jan dated October 6, 2020. A monthly
financial assistance. allowance of AZN 160 was determined
for each adopted child aged 3 to 18
In order to strengthen the social pro- deprived of parental care, and AZN 480
tection of the population, the amounts per month for each adopted child with
of social benefits assigned to many disabilities.
categories of the population have been
significantly increased since 1 April Unemployment benefit and
2019 by the decrees and orders of the unemployment insurance4
President of the Republic of Azerbai- Calculations show that the number of
jan, dated April 15, 2019. Specifically, unemployed people registered by the
the old-age pension was increased local offices of the State Employment
from AZN 73 to AZN 130; the disability Agency increased by 52,395 people
pension from AZN 82 to AZN 150 for (32,897 men, 19,498 women) between
a level I disability, from AZN 61 to AZN 2015 and 2019. The number of recip-
130 for a level II disability, and from AZN ients of the unemployment insurance
52 to AZN 110 for a level III disability; payment had decreased by 1,003 to
and the disability pension for children 540 people by the end of 2019 (52.4%
under the age of 18 from AZN 82 to men and 47.6% women). By the begin-
AZN 150. The allowance for the loss of ning of 2020, of the 81,272 unemployed
the family head from AZN 68 to AZN people registered by the local offices of
80; allowance for guardians (caretakers) the State Employment Agency, 62.3%
of orphans and children deprived of were men and 37.7% were women.

4
Unemployment benefit was provided in 2015-2017, and under the new legislation, unemployment insurance has been awarded since 2018 .
Data for 2015-2017 reflects the number of people registered as unemployed by the offices of the State Employment Service.
Data for 2010-2017 reflects the number of recipients of unemployment benefit. 59
To calculate the proportion of the recipients of the unemployment insurance payment, the number of recipients is divided by the total number of the
unemployed registered with the local offices of the State Employment Agency and multiplied by 100.
 PROGRESS IN
5 THEMATIC GOALS

25
Figure 4. Proportion of unemployed receiving unemployment insurance payment, by sex, %

20 19,38

15,92
15

10

6,13 6,06 6,0

4,93 5,3
5 4,09

0,56 0,84
0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

men women

Source: SSC

When the number of recipients of the tection, the Central Bank of the Repub-
unemployment insurance payment are lic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan
disaggregated by age, in 2019 only Banks Association signed a Memoran-
7.8% (42 people) were aged 15-29 dum of Understanding. Activities are
years old, while 92.2% (498 people) now being implemented by 21 banks to
were aged 30 and above. When dis- promote self-employment.
aggregated by economic region, the
highest proportion of recipients of the In accordance with the Resolution of
unemployment insurance payment in the Cabinet of Ministers No. 330 of
2019 was found in Baku (1.25%). December 30, 2012 on the approval
of the “Rules for the award of public
1.4. By 2030, ensure that all men and contracts in the field of social services
women, in particular the poor and the to municipalities, individuals and legal
vulnerable, have equal rights to eco- entities, including non-governmen-
nomic resources, as well as access to tal organizations”, in 2019 224 social
basic services, ownership and control service projects were implemented by
over land and other forms of property, 73 non-governmental organizations,
inheritance, natural resources, appro- benefitting approximately 9,000 peo-
priate new technology and financial ple. The services provided related to
services, including microfinance. ensuring accessibility of social services
for vulnerable children and families,
With the aim of supporting the initiative providing equal opportunities for chil-
of the President of the Republic of Azer- dren with disabilities and ensuring their
baijan on sharing social responsibility, social and psychological rehabilitation
through the provision of support by and social inclusion. In 2020, 132 social
national banks to facilitate the self-em- service projects were implemented by
ployment of the vulnerable population, 57 non-governmental organizations and
the Ministry of Labour and Social Pro- 14,021 people benefited from the ser-
vices provided.

60 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

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Also, under the order of the President of According to the administrative data of
the Republic of Azerbaijan “On addition- the Ministry of Emergency Situations,
al measures to improve the social and the number of deaths, missing persons
living conditions of persons with disabil- and people directly affected by disas-
ities and martyrs’ families associated ters, per 100,000 population, increased
with the protection of the territorial in- from 13.9 in 2015 to 24.6 in 2016, but
tegrity, independence and constitutional decreased in subsequent years. In
order of the Republic of Azerbaijan”, 2019, the number of deaths, missing
housing was provided for 934 martyrs’ persons and people directly affected by
families and persons with disabilities in disasters, per 100,000 population, fell
2019, and 1,571 (of which 68 were pro- to its lowest level in four years.
vided by a social partner) in 2020. Addi-
tionally, in accordance with the Cabinet 1.5.3 Number of countries with national
of Ministers resolution regarding the and local disaster risk reduction strate-
provision of automobiles and motorized gies.
wheelchairs to persons with disabilities The United Nations Office for Disaster
with the medical entitlement for a spe- Risk Reduction recommends the es-
cific vehicle, 600 people were given tablishment of a coordination group to
cars in 2019 and 400 in 2020. implement a National Strategy to sys-
tematize all data relating to the Sendai
1.5 By 2030, build the resilience of the Framework Monitoring Platform. The
poor and those in vulnerable situations relevant government agencies in Azer-
and reduce their exposure and vul- baijan are currently setting up a Nation-
nerability to climate-related extreme al Strategy Coordination Group which
events and other economic, social and will compile the necessary information
environmental shocks and disasters. for the national strategy.
1.5.1 Number of deaths, missing per-
sons and persons affected by disaster,
per 100,000 people.

Figure 5. The number of deaths, missing persons and people directly

affected by disasters, per 100,000 population

30
24,6
25 22,6 22,0

20 17,1
13,9
15

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Source: SSC

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 61

 PROGRESS IN
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1.a. Ensure significant mobilization of work, developing relevant standards

resources from a variety of sources, and norms, strengthening the logistical
including through enhanced develop- capacity and expanding the network of
ment cooperation, in order to provide social service institutions, and applying
adequate and predictable means for international experience and innovative
developing countries, in particular technologies.
least developed countries, to imple-
ment programmes and policies to end 1.a.2. Proportion of total government
poverty in all its dimensions. spending on essential services (educa-
With a view to ensuring the social ser- tion, health and social protection).
vice system in Azerbaijan meets the re- Compared to 2015, the proportion of
quirements of the vulnerable population expenditures on essential services in
of the country to the maximum extent, total government spending decreased
the Ministry of Labour and Social Pro- by 1.54% in 2019 to 21.91%. Neverthe-
tection drafted the 2021-2027 National less, the volume of essential services
Strategy for the Development of Social increased by 1.28 times in value terms
Services in the Republic of Azerbaijan. during that period. Expenditures on ed-
The Strategy defines the national poli- ucation increased from AZE 1.6 billion
cy for building a social service system to AZE 2.2 billion health care expendi-
through the implementation of activ- tures increased from AZN 708.2 million
ities such as improving the quality of to AZN 873.6 million, and social protec-
social services available for vulnerable tion and social security expenditures
groups, strengthening human resourc- increased from AZN 1.85 billion to AZN
es, improving the existing legal frame- 2.3 billion.

Figure 6. Proportion of total government spending on essential services, %

35,00

30,00 28,74
27,27

25,00 23,23 23,45

22,00 22,41 21,91
21,15 21,23
19,88
20,00

14,90
15,00 13,36

10,16 10,54 10,44

9,54 9,71 9,14 9,46 9,34
10,00
10,04 9,88 9,90
8,34 8,31 9,03 8,65 8,99
8,24
5,00 7,51

3,65 3,50 3,56 3,98 3,96 4,01 3,58

3,20 3,23 3,12
0,00
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Total spending Social protection and social secutiry Education Healthcare

Source: SSC

62 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 PROGRESS IN
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Goal 2
End hunger, achieve food
security and improved
nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture.

The activities taken under SDG 2 aim to 100,000 families with food packages
end hunger and ensure that everyone three times.
has access to safe and adequate food,
and address important issues related to During the COVID-19 pandemic, the
stunting in children under five years of State Committee for Affairs of Refugees
age. To respond to this challenge the and IDPs (SCARI) provided food aid to
target is to double the incomes of small low-income families with the support of
food producers, especially women, local and international organizations.
family farms and farmers, by providing Under the Memorandum of Under-
equal access to land, other productive standing signed between the SCARI
resources, relevant knowledge and and the Korea International Cooper-
financial services, through which to ation Agency (KOICA) in April 2020,
increase agricultural productivity and packages of various food and medi-
food prices in food markets. This can be cal products were distributed to IDPs
achieved by providing timely access to settled in Baku, the elderly living alone
information on food stocks in order to aged above 65, and families of martyrs.
limit sharp fluctuations.
Moreover, the Council for State Support
2.1. By 2030, end hunger and ensure to Non-Governmental Organizations
access by all people, in particular the provided funding for several projects
poor and people in vulnerable situa- aimed at distributing social aid packag-
tions, including infants, to safe, nutri- es to low-income families to combat the
tious and sufficient food all year round. affects of the pandemic.
With the aim of improving the financial
situation of vulnerable people, families Investment in agriculture
of martyrs and people with disabilities, and access to credit
the Ministry of Labour and Social Pro- Investment in the agricultural sector
tection of Population (MLSPP), in part- more than doubled during 2015-2019,
nership with social partners, provided including 65.4% from the public sector
and about 3.0 times from non-public

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 63

 PROGRESS IN
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Figure 7. Investment in agriculture, million AZN

764,4 769,5

617,8

403,8 411,3
355,5
325,1 324,1
360,6 358,2
216,6
293,7
253,1

138,9
72
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Non-public Public Total

sources. A particularly positive point is compared to 2015, in 2019 it increased

that since 2018, the investment from by over 6.9%.
non-public sources in the agricultural
sector has surpassed that of the public The proportion of farmers using credits
sector. also decreased significantly in 2016-
2017, in line with the general trend in
While credit investment in agricul- credit investment, and began to in-
ture and the manufacturing industry crease again in 2018.
decreased significantly in 2016-2017

Figure 8: Proportion of agricultural holdings availed of credit

18% 600
543
16% 508
470 500
14% 441 429

12% 400

10%
16% 300
8%
15%
6% 11% 200

7% 8%
4%
100
2%

0% 0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Share of households using credit Credit investment in agriculture and processing, mln.manat (AZN)
Source:
1 Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan: The credit investment in agriculture and
manufacturing industry, 2019 statistical bulletin
2. Proportion of agricultural holdings availed of credit - Farm Data Monitoring System
(FDMS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, 2015-2019

64 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

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State support have been receiving subsidies since

The state support system is an acceler- January, 2020.
ator for the development of agriculture.
Therefore, in addition to the annual Under the new mechanism, product
increase in the amount of state support subsidies are grouped into three cate-
for agriculture in Azerbaijan, special gories: cultivation, crop and seed sub-
attention has been given to improving sidies. In the field of crop production,
support mechanisms used. In this re- subsidies for fuel and motor oils, wheat
gard, the Government is focusing its and rice cultivation, together with sub-
progammes on farmers who are in- sidies for purchasing mineral fertilizers,
volved in ensuring the food security of biohumus and pesticides at a discount-
the country, thereby ensuring an unin- ed price, have all been combined under
terrupted food supply for the population. the cultivation subsidy. As provided for
in the Decree, the Agrarian Subsidy
The Decree “On the establishment of Council was established to bring the
a new subsidy mechanism in the agri- subsidy mechanism in line with the
cultural sector” signed by the President goals of agricultural development. The
of the Republic of Azerbaijan on June Council determines the regional spe-
27, 2019, establishes a new mechanism cialization based on the base amount
for support measures in the agricultural of AZN 200, the application of modern
sector. These measures ensure ac- irrigation technology, the coefficients
countability, transparency and the effi- to be applied for subsidies to the crop
cient use of budget funds in the sector, production sector, and seed quotas,
and simplify and digitize the application taking into account the promotion of
process. In this connection, farmers high-yield and high value-added crops.

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 65

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The established coefficients ensure that The following subsidies are provided
a certain amount of the farmers’ ex- for the livestock sector:
penses are covered by the State, while - Animal subsidies in the amount
also stimulating the development of of AZN 100 for each healthy calf
specific areas through the State subsi- born through artificial insemina-
dy mechanism. To promote the more tion;
efficient use of land resources, agricul-
tural cooperatives receive cultivation - Apiculture subsidies in the amount
subsidies to support their activities, with of AZN10 AZN per calendar year
cooperatives responsible for land of for each bee colony kept by farm-
more than 50 hectares receiving a 10% ers;
increase in subsidy. 25% percent of the - Sericulture subsidies in the amount
cultivation subsidy is provided in cash, of AZN 5 for each kilogram of fresh
with the remainder used to purchase silkworm cocoon (excluding spun
agricultural inputs. and karapacha cocoons) provided
to to the supplier.
In addition to cultivation subsidies, From 2020, the provision of subsi-
there are also product and seed subsi- dies to farmers for crop and livestock
dies in the crop production sector. The production will be managed through
product subsidy is paid to farmers in ad- the Electronic Agricultural Information
dition to the cultivation subsidy for each System (EAIS), in accordance with the
kilogram of crop product provided to “Rules for subsidizing agricultural pro-
suppliers. Plant species and coefficients duction” (Decree of the President of the
to which product subsidies are applied Republic of Azerbaijan No. 759 dated
are determined by the Board. Product June 27, 2019). In addition to the farmer
subsidies are currently provided for registration subsystem, the EAIS is in
cotton, tobacco and sugar beet pro- the process of incorporating the sub-
duction. Seed subsidies are provided systems for subsidy, supplier, veterinary
to seed farmers in accordance with the monitoring, agrarian analytics, seed/
quotas set by the Council for the sale of sapling, phytosanitary control, agrarian
certified (1st and 2nd replication) seeds equipment, laboratory, agrarian trade,
and saplings. agrarian credit, and agrarian insurance.

In addition, in order to grant lump sum Direct Subsidies

support to agricultural producers for re- In 2020, AZN 233 million in cultivation
peated corn cultivation, subsidies were subsidies was allocated to farmers: AZN
provided from the Ministry of Agricul- 29.5 million AZN for cotton production,
ture from the Reserve Fund envisaged AZN 1.2 million for tobacco and sugar
in the 2020 state budget. The Council beet production, and AZN 16 million for
also determined that, in 2021, subsi- animal production (including AZN 8.8
dies will be paid for soybeans, millet, million for artificial insemination, AZN
sorghum, sunflower and potatoes, in 2.2 million for sericulture) and AZN 5
addition to corn. million for apiculture.

66 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

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In order to grant lump sum support to head of small cattle) breeding animals
agricultural producers for the seed sup- to farmers and businesses. In 2019,
ply for repeated corn cultivation, AZN AZN 9.9 million was allocated for the
60 subsidy was provided to producers purchase of 4,523 heads of breeding
per hectare of repeated corn cultiva- animals, in the form of credits and
tion through AZN 2.2 millon budget discounts.
allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture
from the Reserve Fund envisaged in the Agricultural credits
2020 state budget. In 2020, the Agrarian Credit and De-
velopment Agency provided soft loans
The Agrarian Credit and Development in the amount of AZN 47.6 million (AZN
Agency under the Ministry of Agri- 13.2 million for medium and large ag-
culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan ricultural loans, AZN 34.4 million for
continued to fund the sale and leasing microcredits), and AZN 37.3 million for
of soft loans, as well as for agricultural machinery and equipment loan). A total
inputs, on preferential terms through of 5,515 people (5,330 individuals and
authorized credit organizations. 185 legal entities) benefited from these
loans. In 2019, a total of 1,730 people
Logistics (1,606 individuals, 124 legal entities) re-
The Agrarian Credit and Development ceived soft loans in the amount of AZN
Agency funded the leasing and sale of 53.4 million.
7,259 units of agricultural machinery in
2020 (compared to 4,117 units in 2019) In addition, a number of measures have
on preferential terms: 39 grain harvest- been taken to provide financial resourc-
ers, 1,102 tractors, and 6,118 other types es to farmers. Within the framework of
of machinery. the Agricultural Competitiveness Im-
provement Project, jointly implemented
Based on the 2,993 applications for by the Government of the Republic of
support received, for the sale and leas- Azerbaijan and the World Bank, in 2020,
ing of agricultural machinery, technolog- a total of 30 sub-borrowers were provid-
ical equipment, and irrigation systems ed with agricultural loans on preferential
on preferential terms, credits amounting terms in the amount of AZN 6.7 million
to AZN 37.3 million were issued and and 392 new jobs were created. One
AZN 73.6 million was allocated through of the innovative activities of the project
authorized credit organizations. regarding the creation of agribusiness
value chains, continued in 2020 with the
Breeding animals provision of grant funds in the amount of
In 2020, the Agrarian Credit and AZN 1.92 million (USD 1.13 million).
Development Agency received 423
applications for support and, accord- Other support measures -
ingly, provided subsidies in the amount extension services
of AZN 16.8 million for the purchase Given the importance of increasing
of 8,758 (5,074 head of cattle, 3,684 the knowledge and skills of farmers

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and producers working in the agricul- The Ministry of Agriculture has pre-
tural sector, 1,262 training sessions pared the “2021-2024 Sectoral Stra-
for 22,750 farmers were conducted in tegic Plan on the agricultural section
2019. The Center for Agrarian Science of the state budget of the Republic of
and Innovation, Regional Agrarian Sci- Azerbaijan.” The purpose of the Sec-
ence and Innovation Centers, Azerbai- toral Strategic Plan is to ensure food
jan State Agrarian University, Agrarian security through the efficient use of
Services Agency and Agrarian Credit existing natural economic resources in
and Development Agency, coordinat- the country, to meet the needs of the
ed the training, which involved 590 industrial sector for raw materials and
trainers from research institutes across the needs of the population for food
Azerbaijan. In 2020, 207 training ses- products through local production, and
sions on 66 topics were conducted in to achieve increased agricultural pro-
60 districts of Azerbaijan; 155 trainers duction and employment in the regions
were involved and 1,547 farmers partic- in order to increase the export of ag-
ipated. ricultural products. The Plan also ad-
dresses the “Environmental protection,
Training sessions were also conducted sustainable use of natural resources
by the “Agrarian Supply and Procure- and management of the impact of cli-
ment” Open Joint-Stock Company on mate changes on agriculture” and aims
the preparation, storage and packaging to implement the following measures in
of products for export, for farmers pro- this regard:
ducing pears, pomegranates, tomatoes - Create mechanisms to mitigate
and grapes in the Khachmaz, Kurdamir the adverse impact of climate
and Shamakhi regions of the country. change and other natural phe-
Farmers were taught about the poten- nomena on agriculture;
tial export markets for these products, - Improve the mechanisms to mit-
the logistics channels to enable access igate the adverse impact of agri-
to these markets, and the certificates culture on the environment;
for export and customs clearance.
- Improve the mechanisms to en-
2.5 By 2020, maintain the genetic sure the sustainable use of agricul-
diversity of seeds, cultivated plants tural lands and water resources;
and farmed and domesticated animals - Develop environmentally sound
and their related wild species, includ- agricultural production.
ing through soundly managed and
diversified seed and plant banks at Together with these strategic activities,
the national, regional and internation- the Plan envisages the implementa-
al levels, and promote access to and tion of measures such as “Improving
fair and equitable sharing of benefits the system of human resource man-
arising from the utilization of genetic agement and training” and “Improving
resources and associated traditional the system of science, education and
knowledge, as internationally agreed. extension services in agriculture”.

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2.a. Increase investment, including the final stage of the competition and
through enhanced international coop- the top three winning teams receiving
eration, in rural infrastructure, agricul- valuable prizes.
tural research and extension services,
technology development and plant and In 2020 certification was received by
livestock gene banks in order to en- enterprises and seed farms included
hance agricultural productive capacity in the Agrarian Science and Innovation
in developing countries, in particular Centre for the following seed supplies:
least developed countries. 43.8 tons of standard seed (wheat,
In 2020, the Center for Agrarian Sci- barley, peas, lentils, rice, vegetables,
ence and Innovation of the Ministry of melons and fodder crops); 191.29 tons
Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbai- of pre-basic seed (wheat, barley, cot-
jan began to apply innovative technol- ton, peas, corn, rice, melons, potatoes
ogies, and modern breeding and bio- and fodder crops); 2,413 tons of basic
technological research methods in the seed (wheat, barley, cotton, peas, corn,
field of crop production and livestock rice, potatoes, vegetables and fodder
production, throughout its associated crops); 94,634 tons of R1 and R2 wheat
scientific institutions. and barley seed; 805.5 tons of corn
seed; 40 tons of pea seed; 13,726 tons
A smart garden system, providing auto- of potato seed; 206.41 tons of alfalfa
mated subsoil irrigation and fertilization, seed; 12.01 tons of vegetable and mel-
has been installed in the innovative on seed; 190 tons of R1 and R2 fibrous
orchard on the 15-hectare territory of cotton seed; 1,552,000 units of tea; and
the Fruit and Tea Growing Research 513,741 fruit saplings.
Institute of the Agrarian Science and
Innovation Center. The system will save 2.a.1. The agriculture orientation index
both water and fertilizer and will be for government expenditures.
more effective because it directly af- The index allocations to agriculture in
fects the root of the plant. Agro-techni- the structure of state expenditures in
cal maintenance is controlled remotely 2019-2020 was less than 1 and varied
by telephone or computer. Furthermore, between 0.49 and 0.60. This implies
the subartesian well drilled as a water that the contribution of the agricultural
source will be powered by solar panels. sector to the economy is higher than
the share of allocations made to agri-
The AgroHackathon 2020 startup com- culture in State expenditures.
petition was held at the Vegetable Pro-
duction Research Institute of the Agrari- The volume of value added in agri-
an Science and Innovation Center. More culture, forestry, fisheries and hunting
than 50 teams representing the coun- increased from AZN 3.4 billion in 2015
try’s leading universities applied for the to AZN 4.7 billion in 2019 and AZN 5 bil-
competition, with 15 teams representing lion in 2020. In 2019, the value added
11 different universities participating in created in agriculture, forestry, fisheries

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Figure 9. Index of allocations to agriculture in the structure of state expenditures

0,7

0,6 0,6
0,58
0,6

0,49 0,49 0,5

0,5

0,4

0,3

0,2

0,1

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Source: Ministry of Agriculture

and hunting increased by 7.3% com- the market, and to provide the popula-
pared to the preceding year. In 2020, tion with quality agricultural products
although unfavourable climatic condi- at cheaper rates compared to market
tions led to a slowdown in growth, the prices. Prices for some products were
total value added created in agriculture 20-30% lower than in other markets.
increased by 1.9% compared to 2019.
Overall, the value added created in the In 2015, within the framework of a
agricultural sector increased by 19.2% in project jointly implemented by the
real terms during 2016-2020. Ministry of Agriculture and the Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) a
2.c. Adopt measures to ensure the price information portal for agricultural
proper functioning of food commodity products was created, which was later
markets and their derivatives and facili- improved by the Ministry to create an
tate timely access to market informa- Agricultural Electronic Price Information
tion, including on food reserves, in Portal (www.aqrarbazar.az). The Portal
order to help limit extreme food price contains the following price information:
volatility. - Prices for the field sale, wholesale,
During 2020, the Agrariant Supply and retail sale and supply by process-
Procurement OJSC organized fairs in ing enterprises of fruits, vegeta-
Yasamal, Binagadi, Narimanov, Surakhani bles, potatoes and melons;
districts of Baku and Khirdalan city on - Retail prices for livestock products
the last day of every week on national (meat, milk, egg, honey);
holidays. The main purpose of the fairs - Prices for purchase by milk collec-
was to prevent artificial price increases tion points;
by intervening in the market, to facilitate - Sales and wholesale prices of
the access of agricultural producers to meat in live weight;

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- Sale prices for wool and hides by providing the country’s population with
the population or slaughterhous- the required amount and quality of food
es; on an uninterrupted basis.
- Field sales of cereals during the Activities have been implemented in
crop season and wholesale prices three areas with a view to ensuring
after the crop season; food security:
- Prices for procurement by supply 1. To increase the level of self-suf-
enterprises of industrial plants and ficiency in food products, State
other crops used as industrial raw support measures are being put
materials; in place to help entrepreneurs
- Retail prices of agricultural inputs increase local production, such
(fodder, fertilizer, breeding ani- as subsidies, soft loans, tax and
mals). customs privileges, awareness
Prices for all types of crops are collected raising, training, etc.
on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, 2. The Food Safety Agency of the
depending on the product, taking into Republic of Azerbaijan is now
account low, medium and high levels. responsible for controlling the
minimum quality and safety of
Food security food products.
Ensuring food security in the Republic of 3. To ensure the availability of qual-
Azerbaijan is a key element of State poli- ity food products for all segments
cy. Activities in this area have thus been of the population, appropriate
expanded and measures taken aimed at measures are being taken by

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agencies responsible for imple- by the State Grain Fund, the begin-
menting the State social policy. ning of the wheat harvest season in
The “subsistence minimum”, the country is announced in the local
based on the minimum consumer media every year, and all information
basket, is approved, and is also is posted on the Ministry’s official web-
taken into account when deter- site. The announcement provides the
mining pensions, allowances and names, addresses and contact numbers
social benefits. Moreover, the of grain collection points covering all
Ministry of Economy conducts grain-growing regions of the country. If
monitoring activities to prevent there is a shortfall in the supply of high
monopolies, restriction of com- quality local food wheat, the State food
petition, distribution of markets, wheat reserves are made up through
the application of agreed prices, imports, in accordance with the legis-
which contributes to the increase lation. Work is currently underway to
of food prices in the consumer import high quality wheat for storage in
market, and takes measures in the Ministry’s Sangachal Grain Elevator.
line with the anti-monopoly leg-
islation against the manipulation In order to bring new technical regula-
of prices, price discrimination and tions in line with international practic-
dumping. es in the field of food safety, ten draft
In addition, the resources of the State regulatory acts were developed by the
Grain Fund, established under the Min- Codex Alimentarius National Commis-
istry of Emergency Situations, are used sion in coordination with relevant state
to prevent shortages of flour and bak- bodies and are included in the State
ery products in the consumer market. Register of Legal Acts of the Ministry of
To ensure the demand of the country’s Justice. The regulatory acts will ensure
population for grain and flour prod- a higher level of human health protec-
ucts can be met, two elevator facilities tion and the safety and minimum quality
equipped with state-of-art devices and of food and feed products.
equipment, with a capacity of 100,000
tons and 60,000 tons were built and The inspections, monitoring, and inves-
commissioned in the Sangachal settle- tigations into poisoning incidents, certi-
ment of Garadagh district and Ganja fication, analysis of import-export oper-
city, respectively. The construction of ations and analysis of laboratory tests
another elevator complex with a capac- carried out in 2019 and 2020 revealed
ity of 100,000 tons in the Sangachal the key problems related to food safety,
settlement is underway. With the com- animal and plant health in the country.
missioning of this complex, the total ca- In response to the identified problems,
pacity of the elevator facilities will reach nine risk profiles were developed for
260,000 tons. food safety, animal health and plant
health, and scientific risk assessments
With the aim of ensuring that state food carried out for each.
wheat reserves are met, as determined

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Land plots were selected for the con- ment of national capacity to conduct
struction of modern (stationary, modu- disease surveillance including veterinary
lar and mobile) slaughterhouses in the diagnostics”, in 2020 an international
regions and in Baku city, to promote the expert interviewed field veterinarians
establishment of slaughterhouses in and farmers, and conducted serological
compliance with veterinary-sanitary and monitoring of plague in animals in Bilas-
sanitary-hygienic requirements, together uvar, Jalilabad and Lerik districts. Based
with the establishment of coordination on the results, a draft document on the
mechanisms between the relevant cen- establishment of a plague-free zone has
tral and local executive authorities. As been prepared for the World Organiza-
part of the FAO Partnership and Liaison tion for Animal Health.
Office in Azerbaijan project,“Improve-

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Goal 3
Ensure healthy
lives and promote
well-being for
all at all ages.

The goal is aimed at reducing the ma- traffic accidents, and substantially re-
ternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per duce the number of deaths and illness-
100,000 live births, the neonatal mor- es resulting from hazardous chemicals
tality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 and air, water and soil pollution and
live births, and the under-5 mortality contamination.
to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live
births. It also aims to end the epidem- 3.1. By 2030, reduce the global mater-
ics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and nal mortality ratio to less than 70 per
neglected tropical diseases and com- 100,000 live births.
bating infections and non-communica- 3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio.
ble diseases. It further aims to prevent
narcotic drug abuse and the harmful Although the maternal mortality ratio
use of alcohol, halve the number of in Azerbaijan increased by 0.5 points
global deaths and injuries from road between 2015 and 2019, stabilizing at
14.9, the overall number of mothers who
Figure 10. Maternal mortality ratio, per 100,000 live birth
16

14,9
15 14,6
14,4

14 13,8

13
12,2
12

11

10
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Source: SSC

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Figure 11. The share of births attended by skilled health personnel, %

100,0

99,9 99,9
99,9

99,8 99,8 99,8

99,8

99,7
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Source: SSC

died during pregnancy, childbirth and years are performed under medical
pastpartum period fell from 24 in 2015 supervision. Specifically, the share of
to 21 in 2019. The number of mater- births attended by skilled health per-
nal deaths in 2019, disaggregated by sonnel to undertake the necessary
economic regions, was one in the Na- control, provision of services and coun-
khchivan Autonomous Republic, eight seling during pregnancy, as well as
in Baku, one in Absheron economic during childbirth and the postpartum
region, two in Ganja-Gazakh economic period, independent delivery and care
region, four in Lankaran economic re- of newborns, increased from 99.8% in
gion, one in Guba-Khachmaz econom- 2015 to 99.9% in 2019.
ic region, and four in Aran economic
region. No maternal deaths were re- 3.2. By 2030, end preventable deaths
ported in Sheki-Zagatala, Upper Kara- of newborns and children under 5
bakh, Kalbajar-Lachin, and Mountainous years of age, with all countries aiming
Shirvan economic regions. Compared to reduce neonatal mortality to at least
to 2015, the maternal mortality ratio de- as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and
creased from 23.5 to 15.2 in rural areas, under-5 mortality to at least as low as
and increased from 4.9 to 14.6 in urban 25 per 1,000 live births.
areas in 2019. Overall, the maternal The Child and Family Support Centers in
mortality rate was higher in rural areas Aghdam, Shuvalan, Sabirabad, Ismayilli,
than in urban areas. In 2019, the num- Goygol, Hajigabul, Zardab and Saatli,
ber of maternal deaths was 10 in urban which form part of the State Commit-
areas and 11 in rural areas. tee for Family, Women and Children’s
Affairs, conducted a series of activities
3.1.2 Proportion of births attended by in order to raise awareness on health
skilled health personnel. and disease issues, in order to ensure
Almost all births in Azerbaijan in recent the coverage of children in dispanser-

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Under-5 mortality rate, per 1.000 live births, disaggregated by sex

18

16 15,4 15,3
14,7 14,8
14,3
13,8 13,7
14 13,3 13,1 13,0
11,8 11,9 11,9 11,7
12 10,9
10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total Boys Girls

Source: SSC

ization (health screening) services. The showed a decrease among girls (from
activities, which involved a total of 457 11.8 to 10.9) in the same period. The to-
people, included the distribution of 120 tal number of deaths of children under
leaflets and the provision of education five increased by 10 in 2019 compared
information (via WhatsApp) to 66 people. to 2018 to reach 1,835, (1,113 boys and
722 girls). Thus, the yearly number of
3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate. deaths among children under five is
35.1% lower for girls than for boys. The
In the last five years, the under-five number of deaths of children under five
mortality rate has decreased, falling was 7.6 per 1,000 in rural areas and 18.7
from 13.3 per 1,000 live births in 2015 per 1,000 in urban areas. The majority
to 13.0 in 2019. While the mortality rate of children (84.9%) died before reach-
increased slightly among boys (from ing their first birthday, while 15.1% died
14.7 to 14.8 per 1,000 live births), it between the ages of one and five.
Neonatal mortality rate, per 1000 live births
8
6,9
7 6,6 6,5
5,9
6 5,5

5 5,4
5,3 5,3 5,2
4 4,5

2 1,5
1,3 1,3
1,0
1 0,6

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total neonatal deaths Early neonatal death Late neonatal death

Source: SSC

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3.2.2 Neonataal mortality rate. In 2019, 686 new HIV infections were
Although the neonatal mortality rate in registered (447 male and 239 female).
Azerbaijan fluctuated between 2015 Compared to 2015, the number of new
and 2019, the overall indicator increase HIV infections per 1,000 population fell
was 1.0 points (between 2015-2019) during 2015-2018 to 0.06, but increased
to reach 6.9. Early neonatal mortality to 0.07 again in 2019. Although the
during the first seven days of life was number of new HIV infections per 1,000
higher than late neonatal mortality population did not change in 2019 com-
during the first 7-28 days of life. In the pared to 2015 for women, there was a
same period, the neonatal mortality rate slight decrease for men.
for boys increased from 7.0 to 8.3, for
girls from 4.6 to 5.2, and for all years While there was no significant change in
the neonatal mortality rate for boys was the overall number of new HIV infections
higher than for girls. per 1,000 population, there was still an
increase in the absolute number of new
3.3 By 2030, end the epidemics of HIV infections. By the end of 2019, the
AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and ne- total number of people with HIV regis-
glected tropical diseases and combat tered in the treatment and prevention
hepatitis, water-borne diseases and facilities increased by 2,407 people
other communicable diseases. compared to 2015 to reach 7,846 peo-
ple. The number of registered people
3.3.1 Number of new HIV infections per with AIDS increased by 695 to reach
1,000 uninfected population, by sex, 2,377. Seven new HIV infections were
age and key populations.

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Figure 14. Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex, age
0,12

0,10
0,1
0,09 0,09

0,08
0,07 0,07 0,07 0,07
0,06 0,06 0,06
0,06
0,05 0,05
0,04 0,04 0,04
0,04

0,02

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

total men women

Source: SSC

registered in the 0-14 age group, 176 in population decreased by 9.4 points for
the 15-29 age group, 560 in the 15-49 men and 1.4 points for women between
age group, and 119 in the 50+ age group. 2015 and 2019.

3.3.2 Tuberculosis incidence per 1,000 In 2019, the number of new tuberculosis
population. cases was 3,613, (66.8% male, 33.2% fe-
In 2015-2019, the incidence of tubercu- male), with 27.8% of these cases regis-
losis per 1,000 population decreased tered in urban areas and 72.2% in rural
by 5.4 points to 36.5. In 2019, the areas. In 2019, 179 of new tuberculosis
incidence of tuberculosis per 1,000 cases were found in children aged 0-14.
population was twice as high for men
(48.8) than for women (24.2). Overall, 3.3.3 Malaria incidence per 1,000 pop-
the incidence of tuberculosis per 1,000 ulation.

Figure 15. Tuberculosis incidence per 1,000 population, by sex

70

60 58,2
53,7 52,1 50,9
48,8
50
41,9
39,4 39,8 38,3
40 36,5

30 27,5 25,7
25,6 25,1 24,2

20

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

total men women

Source: SSC

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Figure 16. Hepatitis B incidence per 100,000 population, by sex

2,5
2,3 2,3

2 1,9 1,9

1,6 1,6 1,6

1,5
1,5 1,4
1,3
1,2
1,1
1,0
1
0,8
0,7

0,5

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

total men women

Source: SSC

No cases of malaria have been regis- In cooperation with public unions and
tered in Azerbaijan since 2013. The last charitable foundations operating at
time a case was registered was 2012, the international and local level in the
when three people (two men and one provision of medical and social support
woman) were found to be infected. to families of children with disabilities,
the Child and Family Support Centers
3.3.4 Hepatitis B incidence per 100,000 (under the State Committee for Family,
population. Women and Children Affairs) provid-
In 2015-2019, the incidence of Hepatitis ed assistance to 15 people working in
B per 100,000 population increased by children’s institutions; provided medi-
0.1 points to 1.6 (increasing by 0.4 points cal and social support for the families
for men, but decreasing by 0.3 points of eight children with disabilities; and
for women); the 2019 figure in urban referred six children with disabilities
areas was 1.9 and in rural areas 1.2. to the Medical Rehabilitation Center of
Compared to the preceding year, in Mardakan settlement, through the co-
2019, the number of new Hepatitis B operation agreement with the Azerbai-
infections in absolute terms increased jan Service and Assessment Network
by 49.4% for men (115 people) and de- (ASAN) and UNICEF.
creased by 32.8% for women (41 peo-
ple), with an overall increase of 13.0% In accordance with the Persons with Dis-
(156 people). abilities Social Protection and Rehabilita-
tion Programme, the Ministry of Labour
3.4. By 2030, reduce by one third pre- and Social Protection of Population pro-
mature mortality from non-communi- vided financial assistance to 69 people
cable diseases through prevention and in 2019 and 50 people in 2020 to cover
treatment and promote mental health treatment in Azerbaijan, and covered
and well-being. the travel expenses of 19 people in 2019

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and 17 people in 2020, enabling them to 3.4.1 Mortality rate attributed to cardio-
receive treatment abroad. vascular disease, cancer, diabetes or
chronic respiratory disease.
In accordance with resolution No. 128 of Compared to 2015, the death rate from
the Cabinet of Ministers, dated August cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabe-
12, 2002, 4,708 persons with disabili- tes and chronic respiratory disease de-
ties in 2019 and 2,274 persons in 2020 creased by 3.0 points, from 452.1 to 449.1
were provided with sanatorium-resort per 100,000 population in 2019. In the
vouchers. same period, this figure decreased by 5.6
points from 442.0 to 436.4 for women, but
Youth Houses, the social service insti- remained unchanged for men (462.0).
tutions under the Ministry of Youth and
Sports, regularly provide socio-psy- The highest number of deaths occurred
chological and rehabilitation services in cardiovascular disease and the
for children with disabilities and their lowest in diabetes. When categorised
parents. Training sessions were organ- by type of disease, in 2019 the number
ised in 2019 (56 sessions), 2020 (34 of deaths from cardiovascular disease
sessions) and 2021 (11 sessions to date) per 100,000 population was 327.8, from
for families of children with disabilities. cancer 89.0, from chronic respiratory
In 2019, 524 children with disabilities disease 18.7, and from diabetes 13.6.
benefitted from socio-psychological
and legal services, 196 in 2020 and During the period under review, mortal-
three, currently, in 2021. Furthermore, ity rates decreased relatively for cardio-
25 children with disabilities were pro- vascular disease, and increased rela-
vided with rehabilitation services in tively for chronic respiratory disease,
2019 and seven in 2020. cancer, and diabetes.

Figure 17. Mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease,
per 100,000 population, by sex
490
482,1 482,0
479,0
480
472,8
470,1
470 466,3
463,8
462,0 462,0
458,4
460
452,1 453,6
449,1
450
442,0
440 436,4

430

420

410
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

total men women

Source: SSC

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Figure 18. Suicide mortality rate, per 100,000 population, by sex

5
4,5
4,5
4 3,7
3,3
3,5 3,1
2,9 3,0
3
2,5
2,5 2,1
1,9 1,9
2 1,7
1,4
1,5
0,9 0,9 0,9
1
0,5
0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

total men women

Source: SSC

In 2019, 8,819 people died of cancer, ing narcotic drug abuse and harmful
1,346 from diabetes, 32,471 from cardio- use of alcohol.
vascular disease and 1,854 from chronic In 2019-2020, the Internal Affairs agen-
respiratory disease in the country. cies held more than 2,500 meetings,
gatherings and conferences in special-
3.4.2 Suicide mortality rate. ized secondary and higher education
Although the number of suicides in the institutions on the prevention of drug
country increased in 2016 compared use among children and youth, the
to 2015, in subsequent years this fig- prevention of offenses and other harm-
ure was lower than in 2016. Overall, in ful habits, legal awareness, and the
2015-2019, the suicide mortality rate in promotion of healthy lifestyles. In total,
the country decreased by 0.4 points, 95 addiction care providers and 200
from 2.5 to 2.1 per 100,000 population. psychologists from health facilities were
At every level of the dynamics, the involved in the events, which were
suicide rate for boys was higher than attended by about 90,000 students and
for girls. During this period, the suicide their legal representatives. Articles and
mortality rate decreased by 0.4 points reports were published in various me-
from 3.7 to 3.3 per 100,000 population, dia outlets on “Illicit trafficking in drugs
decreasing by 0.5 points for women and psychotropic substances”, “Drug
from 1.4 to 0.9 per 100,000 population. addiction as an important problem
In 2015-2019, the suicide mortality rate of humanity”, “Legal and socio-moral
in urban and rural areas decreased by consequences of drug use”, “What do
0.4 and 0.5 points, respectively, and we know about drugs”, “Drugs destroy
amounted to 2.1. youth” and others topics; eight videos
and four presentations were prepared
3.5. Strengthen the prevention and and disseminated on the official web-
treatment of substance abuse, includ- sites of the Ministry and its subordinate

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structures, and social networks. Work- a number of events. Overall, more than
shops were held for 716 officers of the 1,000 youths participated in online
national police agencies on “The role workshops during the pandemic.
of the state in the healthy upbringing
of minors, youth, and implementation 3.6. By 2020, halve the number of
of anti-drug measures”, “New types of global deaths and injuries from road
drugs and psychotropic substances, traffic accidents.
their transportation characteristics” and The Ministry of Internal Affairs put a
“Organization and conduct of preven- number of measures in place to pro-
tive work among drug and substance mote road safety among adolescents
abusers”. and young people. As part of the safe-
ty weeks, organised to prevent vehi-
In addition, Child and Family Support cle-pedestrian collisions in Azerbaijan,
Centers in Goygol, Aghdam, Hajigabul, events were held on educational topics
Goranboy, Saatli, Zardab, Zagatala and such as “Learn, abide, teach and de-
Shuvalan, part of the State Committee mand”; a “Traffic rules” textbook was
for Family, Women and Children Affairs, distributed to minors, and many of
held events, webinars and online meet- these events were aired on TV stations,
ings to discuss healthy lifestyles among websites and social networks.
youth, and the prevention of infectious
and non-infectious diseases. The activ- 3.6.1 Death rate due to road traffic inju-
ities were organised to raise awareness ries.
among youth on the negative effects
of drug addiction, tobacco, alcohol and Although the death rate due to road
other psychoactive substances, the traffic accidents per 100,000 people
importance of food nutrition, and to has been decreasing each year since
increase their knowledge and improve 2015, it showed an increase again in
their behaviour, increase their level of 2019. The overall death rate due to
physical activity, and educate them, road traffic injuries between 2015-2019,
together with their parents and teach- decreased from 9.4 to 8.3 per 100,000
ers on the importance and benefits of population. Despite the fact that the
adopting a health lifestyle. Overall, a number of deaths due to road traf-
total of 719 people participated in the fic accidents decreased for men and
collection of events. increased for women over these years,
the mortality rate for men is much high-
As part of the implementation of the er than for women. During 2015-2019,
relevant activities of the “Azerbaijani the indicator decreased by 2.4 points
Youth in 2017-2021 State Program” and for men and increased by 0.3 points
the “State Program on Combating Illicit for women. Overall, the number of men
Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psycho- killed in road traffic accidents in 2019
tropic Substances and their Precursors was 637, and the number of women
and Drug Addiction for 2019-2024”, the was 184.
Ministry of Youth and Sports organized

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Figure 19. Death rate due to road traffic injuries, per 100,000 population, by sex

18
15,3
16

14 12,9
12,1 11,7 11,3
12
9,4
10
7,9 8,3
7,7 7,4
8

6
3,4 3,6 3,7 3,5 3,7
4

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

total men women

Source: SSC

3.7. By 2030, ensure universal access and, while this figure showed an in-
to sexual and reproductive health-care crease in 2019, when compared to the
services, including for family planning, 2015 rate, the 2019 birth rate among
information and education, and the women aged 15-19 had still decreased
integration of reproductive health into by 4.3 points, from 52.4 to 48.1 births
national strategies and programmes. per 1,000 women in that age group.
3.7.2 Adolescent birth rate (aged 10–14 The birth rate among women aged 15-
years; aged 15–19 years) per 1,000 19 continues to be significantly higher
women in that age group. in rural areas than in urban areas, with
2019 rates indicating 66.9 births per
The birth rate among women aged 15- 1,000 in rural areas and 28.9 in urban
19 has been in decline in recent years areas.

Figure 20. Adolescent birth rate (aged 15–19 years) per 1,000 women in that age group, by location
80
71,1
69,0
70 66,9
62,6 61,1
60
52,4 52,8
48,1
50 45,7 44,2

40 35,1 33,9
28,4 28,9
26,8
30

20

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

total urban rural

Source: SSC

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3.8. Achieve universal health cover- are being trained on the principles and
age, including financial risk protection, rules of mandatory health insurance.
access to quality essential health-care The Agency also organizes regular ed-
services and access to safe, effective, ucational training sessions on non-com-
quality and affordable essential medi- municable diseases, maternal and child
cines and vaccines for all. health, health management, etc.
From January, 2020, the State Agency
for Mandatory Health Insurance began 3.a Strengthen the implementation of
introducing mandatory health insurance the World Health Organization Frame-
throughout the country. The health work Convention on Tobacco Control
insurance currently covers 59 admin- in all countries, as appropriate.
istrative-territorial units, and from April 3.a.1. Age-standardized prevalence of
2021, the mandatory health insurance current tobacco use among persons
coverage will be expanded to include aged 15 years and older.
the cities of Baku, Sumgayit, Khankendi, In recent years, the prevalence of to-
and the districts of Absheron, Gubadli, bacco use in the country has decreased
Zangilan and Shusha. In this regard, with the use among those aged 15
software and new registration systems and above decreasing from 17.0% to
are being installed in hospitals, and the 15.2% between 2015-2019. In 2019, the
supply of medicines and medical con- highest number of tobacco users was
sumables is being digitized through the registered among people aged 45-64.
provision of computer equipment and The tobacco use rate among these indi-
internet access for hospitals and the viduals was 21.5%, while 0.2% of people
development of a hospital information aged 15-19, 13.6% of people aged 20-
system. A register of medical services 44 and 13.2% of people aged 65 and
is also being compiled and hospital staff above used tobacco.

Figure 21. Prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged 15 years and older, %
17,5
17
17

16,5
16,2
15,9
16

15,5 15,3
15,2

15

14,5

14
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

3.a.1 Prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged

15 years and older, by age (%)
Source: SSC

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3.c. Substantially increase health This shortage of health workers was

financing and the recruitment, devel- more prevalent in the regions.
opment, training and retention of the The number of health workers in-
health workforce in developing coun- creased from 874,000 in 2015 to
tries, especially in least developed 875,000 in 2019, while the number
countries and small island developing of medical doctors decreased from
States. 325,000 to 318,000. The 2019 distri-
3.c.1 Health worker density and distri- bution of medical doctors by specialty
bution (per 10,000 population). indicated 7,801 physicians (24.5% of the
total number of doctors) and only 71
Compared to 2015, the number of addiction care providers (0.22% of the
health workers in all categories per total number of doctors). The number
10,000 population showed a decline in of nursing personnel also decreased
2019, decreasing from 91.1 to 87.9. The by 8,000 people compared to 2015
number of medical doctors decreased and amounted to 557,000 people by
from 33.9 to 32.0, and the number of the end of 2019; the majority being
nursing personnel from 57.3 to 55.9. (383,000 thousand) nurses.
Figure 22. Health worker density and distribution (per 10,000 population)
100
91,14 89,42
86,6 87,75 87,94
90

80

70

60 57,3 56,2 55,9

54,0 54,8

50

40 33,9 33,2 32,6 32,9 32,0

30

20

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total health workers Medical doctors Nursery personnel

Source: SSC

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GOAL 8
Promote sustained, inclusive and
sustainable economic growth,
full and productive employment
and decent work for all.

This Goal is aimed at sustaining per 8.1. Sustain per capita economic
capita economic growth in accordance growth in accordance with national cir-
with national circumstances, achieving cumstances and, in particular, at least
higher levels of economic productivity 7% gross domestic product growth per
through diversification, technological annum in the least developed coun-
upgrading and innovation, ensuring tries.
full and productive employment and 8.1.1 Annual growth rate of real GDP per
decent work for all, taking measures to capita.
eradicate forced labour, end modern
slavery and human trafficking and end Compared to 2015, real GDP per capita
child labour in all its forms, and ensur- increased by 1.6% in 2019, amounting
ing equal pay for work of equal value. to AZN 81.9 billion, of which 61.8% was
produced in the non-oil and gas sec-

Figure 23. Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person.
2

1,6
1 0,6

0
-0,1
-1
-0,8

-2

-3

-4

-4,2
-5
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Source: SSC

86 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

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tors of the economy, and 38.2% in the Azerbaijan, the involvement of young
oil and gas sector. Additionally, con- entrepreneurs in projects and to build
struction accounted for 7.4% of GDP, relations with investors.
transport and storage for 5.9%, and
other sectors for 16.3%, while net taxes During 2019-2020, the Innovation
on products and imports accounted for Agency under the MTCHT provided
9.0% of GDP. AZN 34,000 in grants to individual
winners of six grant competitions held
8.2. Achieve higher levels of economic in 2018 to fund innovative and applied
productivity through diversification, scientific and technical projects in the
technological upgrading and inno- field of ICT. Additionally, AZN 1.1 million
vation, including through a focus on was transferred to business entities as
high-value added and labour-intensive part of soft loans. The Innovation Agen-
sectors. cy has also continued to work on the
With a view to developing innovative general registration of startups in the
entrepreneurship and supporting start- country and there are currently about
up projects in Azerbaijan, an innovation 250 startups in the database.
centre is currently being built as part of
an urban High Technology Park. During 8.2.1 Annual growth rate of real GDP
the reporting period, the Ministry of per employed person.
Transport, Communications and High Compared to 2015, real GDP per em-
Technologies (MTCHT) held a number ployed person grew by 1.6% in 2019,
of events to promote innovation in and the number of employed people in

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Figure 24. Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person.
2 1,6

1
0,3
0

-0,4 -1,1
-1

-2

-3

-4

-5
-4,9
-6
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Source: SSC

the economy increased by 5.7%, reach- the country: the “2020-2025 Action
ing 4.9 million. Of the total employed Plan on implementation of the Employ-
population, 36% were engaged in ment Strategy” and the “2020-2025
agriculture, forestry and fishing, 14.4% in Action Plan on implementation of the
trade and vehicle repair, 7.8% in educa- Employment Strategy”. The main goals
tion, 7.4% in construction, 5.7% in public of the strategies are to use the labour
administration, defense and social se- resources, increase the employment
curity, 5.3% in the manufacturing indus- rate, promote inclusive employment,
try, 4.2% in transport and storage, 3.9% support decent work, increase labour
in human health and social work, and competitiveness and increase labour
15.3% in other sectors of the economy. productivity.
In 2019, 76.6% of the employed pop-
ulation were employed in the private Furthermore, according to the Decree of
sector and 23.4% in the public sector. the President of the Republic of Azerbai-
jan dated 5 September, 2018, a cen-
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and produc- tralized electronic information system,
tive employment and decent work consisting of 18 subsystems, and the
for all women and men, including for “e-social” Internet portal were put into
young people and persons with dis- operation, and the “Employment” sub-
abilities, and equal pay for work of system was created. The “Employment”
equal value. subsystem registers the employed, un-
Two strategies were developed to employed and job-seekers, and ‘banks’
determine long-term public policy workplace vacancies throughout the
on employment, through institutional country, as well as providing information
reforms aimed at ensuring productive on electronic employment services. The
employment on the basis of the existing vacancy ‘bank’ in the “Employment” sub-
demographic trends and development system is integrated with the “Employ-
prospects and economic priorities of ment contract notices” subsystem and

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referrals to vacancies are made elec- in agriculture and 2,930 in production

tronically. During 2020, about 100,000 and services), with 11,098 passing the
people received electronic referrals to assessment and being accepted into
jobs through the subsystem. the programme. Of the 12,654 people
applying for the programme, 3,171 were
With a view to reducing the depen- women, 1,704 were young people under
dence of the working-age population the age of 29, 1,809 were people with
on social assistance and benefits, in disabilities, 1,461 were IDPs, 856 were
2020 the State Employment Agency members of martyrs’ families, 120 were
under the Ministry of Labour and Social persons released from prisons, and 57
Protection organised vocational training were recipients of targeted state social
courses for 1,014 unemployed people to assistance.
ensure the transition from passive social
protection to active social protection. In 2020, a total of 1,533 people were
involved in the extraordinary self-em-
With regard to labour market devel- ployment programme, including 856
opment, the self-employment pro- family members of martyrs, 418 peo-
gramme is one of the most important ple wounded in the war or their family
active labour market measures aimed members, 232 war participants or their
at promoting self-employment in the family members. Moreover, 27 people
working-age population. In 2020, a total whose houses were destroyed because
of 12,654 people applied to the self-em- of the attacks of the Armenian armed
ployment programme (including 9,724 forces in Barda, Tartar regions and Gan-

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 89

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ja city were involved in self-employment During 2015-2019, the average hourly

and assistance was provided for them wage of employees increased by 1.4
to establish a family business. times from AZN 3.0 to AZN 4.2. The
average hourly wage of women also
Job fairs were also organized in 2020, increased by 1.5 times, and the aver-
in16 cities and regions of the country age hourly wage of men increased
with the participation of 522 enterpris- by 1.4 times. However, throughout the
es, departments and organizations. Of dynamics, the average hourly wage of
the 4,761 vacancies offered at these men was higher than that of women,
job fairs, 1,045 unemployed people and averaging 80%. In terms of distribution
job-seekers succeeded in finding a job; by economic region, Baku was highest
392 were refugees, 18 were female (AZN 5.7) and Upper Karabakh was low-
IDPs, 304 were young people and 24 est (AZN 2.3).
were people with disabilities.
In 2019, the average monthly nominal
Additionally, in order to encourage the salary of men was AZN 764.8, and AZN
participation of employers in the recruit- 443.4 for women. The average monthly
ment of employees, especially those nominal wage was higher in the private
with special needs for social protection sector than in the public sector. Specifi-
and those who have difficulty finding cally, women working in the public sec-
employment, the Law of the Republic tor received an average monthly nomi-
of Azerbaijan “On Employment” was nal salary of AZN 405.9, and AZN 549.6
amended in 2020 to ease the condi- in the private sector, while the average
tions for the co-financing of their sala- monthly nominal salary of men was AZN
ries through unemployment insurance. 673.1 and AZN 837.5, respectively.
8.5.1 Average hourly earnings of female
and male employees, by occupation, In 2019 two social packages were intro-
age and persons with disabilities. duced. The first, in March 2019, raised

Figure 25. Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by sex, AZN
6

4,9
5
4,2 4,3 4,2
4,0
4 3,6
3,4 3,5
3,2
3,0 3,0
3
2,3 2,4
2,0 2,1
2

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total Men Women

Source: SSC

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the minimum wage by 40% to reach the

subsistence minimum of AZN 180; fund-
ing for these expenditures was allocated
from the State budget in the amount of
over AZN 300 million. The package ben-
efitted 600,000 people and led to an
increase in the average monthly salary 6.7% (urban) and 4.7% (rural) for women
in the country. The second package, in- and 4.9% (urban) and 3.1% (rural) for
troduced in September 2019, increased men. The highest number of unem-
the minimum wage to AZN 250, 38.9% ployed was registered in Baku.
more than the subsistence minimum. Unemployment among young people
Overall, the two social packages benefit- under 30 was higher than among peo-
ted a total of 4.2 million people. ple over 30: 15.8% for those aged 15-19,
12.2% for those aged 20-24, and 5.8%
8.5.2 Unemployment rate, by sex, age for those aged 25-29. The unemploy-
and persons with disabilities. ment rate among the population aged
Between 2015 and 2019, the unem- 30 and above was below 4%.
ployment rate in Azerbaijan decreased
from 5.0% to 4.8%, the unemployment As a result of measures taken during
rate among men from 4.1% to 4.0%, and the pandemic to prevent unjustified
among women from 5.9% to 5.7%. In dismissals and layoffs of employees in
2019, the economically active popula- the private sector and to maintain the
tion of the country amounted to 5,190.1 salaries of employees on leave, the jobs
thousand people, of which 2.5 million and wages of 794,000 employees (with
people were unemployed. employment contracts) were protected
in the sector. Through the “Employment
The 2019 unemployment rate was high- Contract Notification” subsystem of the
er in urban areas than in rural areas, at Centralized Electronic Information Sys-

Figure 26. Unemployment rate, total and by sex, %

7

5,9 6,0 5,9

6 5,8 5,7

5,0 5,0 5,0 4,9

5 4,8

4,1 4,2 4,1 4,1 4,0

4

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Total Men Women

Source: SSC

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tem of the Ministry of Labour and Social industries, occupations (positions), as

Protection of Population, employment well as underground jobs with harmful
contract terminations were investigated, and severe working conditions and fac-
necessary recommendations provided tors of production environment where
to employers, warning notices posted the use of female labour is prohibited’ ”.
and daily monitoring undertaken. As a
result of targeted measures, the growth Furthermore, in accordance with para-
rate in the number of employment con- graph 2.6 of the “Rules for submission
tracts continued, and from the beginning of proposals on the conclusion or
of 2020 to January, 2021, the number of termination of international agreements
employment contract registration notic- of the Republic of Azerbaijan by the
es increased by about 150,000 units. central executive authorities and state-
owned enterprises”, the formulation of
8.7. Take immediate and effective mea- measures in line with the ratification by
sures to eradicate forced labour, end Azerbaijan of the International Labour
modern slavery and human trafficking Organization (ILO) Convention No. 155
and secure the prohibition and elimina- on Occupational Safety and health
tion of the worst forms of child labour, (1981) are nearing completion.
including recruitment and use of child
soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour 8.8 Protect labour rights and promote
in all its forms. safe and secure working environments
In framework of the project “Lifting for all workers, including migrant work-
Legal Barriers to Women’s Employment ers, in particular women migrants, and
in Azerbaijan”, implemented through those in precarious employment.
the World Bank in 2020, two draft The State Migration Service has pre-
laws were drawn up. The first, “On pared a draft Migration Strategy to man-
amendments to the Labour Code of age migration policies in accordance
the Republic of Azerbaijan to reduce with the SDG targets. In accordance
the number of jobs restricting women’s with the “Global Pact for Safe, Orderly
employment, on the basis of scientific and Regular Migration” and the “Global
approaches”, was followed by a further Compact on Refugees” and national pri-
draft law, “On annulment of the Resolu- orities and interests regarding migration
tion No. 170 of the Cabinet of Ministers policy, the Strategy focuses on facilitat-
of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated Oc- ing legal migration, preventing unreg-
tober 20, 1999 on approval of the ‘List ulated migration, protecting vulnera-
of industries, occupations (positions), ble groups, leveraging development
workplaces, as well as underground prospects of migration, and organising
jobs with harmful and severe working awareness raising activities on institu-
conditions, where the use of labour tional development and migration.
of pregnant women or women with a The State Migration Service, together
child under one year of age is prohibit- with civil society institutions, has put
ed’ and on the approval of the ‘List of measures in place to ensure the rights

92 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

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of migrants and help them adapt to is shorter than that stipulated by

local conditions. The Public Council legislation;
under the State Migration Service, - People whose passports have
which brings together non-govern- expired may continue to legal-
mental organizations operating in the ly reside in the country, and will
field of migration, regularly meets with therefore not be considered illegal
migrants, arranging their reception, dis- migrants;
cussing their proposals and problems,
and resolving complaints received in - No deportation of migrants, ir-
connection with the Service. The Public respective of their legal status,
Council also supports the activities of and no administrative procedures
the State Migration Service in educating required to permit them to remain
foreigners about the existing legislation in the country;
in the field of migration, their require- - In light of quarantine restrictions,
ments, and changes in legislation. applications for refugee status
were received electronically by
From 24 March, 2020, when the first the State Migration Service. This
COVID-19 quarantine regime was an- innovative approach was recog-
nounced in Azerbaijan, the following nized as a best practice by the UN
measures were taken to further simplify High Commissioner for Refugees;
e-applications, minimize human contact
and optimize the requirements for the - The Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
submission of documentation to the YouTube and Telegram social
State Migration Service by foreigners: network accounts of the State
Migration Service actively used
for awareness raising and commu-
- The lifting of the need for foreign- nication with applicants.
ers currently in the country and
unable to leave to have to apply In addition to the above measures,
for an extension of their temporary access to e-services was also made
stay; possible through the MigAz mobile
- The digitization of a number of application to help address citizen
services, including applications satisfaction. Particular attention was
for the extension of the temporary paid to ensuring the user-friendliness of
stay of foreigners in the country, e-services provided by the State Migra-
the issuance (extension) of res- tion Service, as well as the timely and
idence and work permits, and comprehensive provision of information
citizenship issues (https://eservice. to the public on relevant procedures
migration.gov.az); related to the pandemic situation.
- Applications for extensions of va- To further protect the rights and free-
lidity on passports or other border doms of migrants living in Azerbaijan
crossing documents for foreign- and provide social support to vulnera-
ers processed, even if the period

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ble groups of migrants, the State Migra- facturing industry; 18 in the production,
tion Service expanded its interaction distribution and supply of electricity,
with non-governmental organizations gas and steam; 3 in water supply, waste
and civil society institutions. In this re- management and remediation; 53 in con-
gard, activities related to ongoing social struction; 28 in transport and storage; 10
assistance projects have been imple- in information and communications; and
mented with their close participation. 86 in other economic activities.

8.8.1 Frequency rates of fatal and 8.9. By 2030, devise and implement
non-fatal occupational injuries, by sex policies to promote sustainable tour-
and migrant status. ism that creates jobs and promotes
The number of fatal and non-fatal occu- local culture and products.
pational injuries per 100,000 workers 8.9.1 Tourism direct GDP as a propor-
increased from 11 to 18 cases between tion of total GDP and in growth rate.
2015 and 2019, with men becoming During 2015-2019, the proportion of
injured about 4 times higher than wom- tourism in total GDP was 4.5%; falling to
en. The number of fatal occupational a low of 4.3% in 2018. In the same peri-
injuries increased from 50 in 2015 to od, the average annual nominal growth
63 in 2019, and the number of non-fatal of value added in tourism was 9.1%.
injuries increased from 111 to 239.
In 2019, the volume of value added in
When disaggregated by economic ac- tourism increased from AZN 2.4 million
tivity, the number of fatal and non-fatal to AZN 3.7 million, compared to 2014.
occupational injuries in 2019 totalled 59
in the mining industry; 45 in the manu-

Figure 27. Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers, by sex
30
26
25
25

20
20 18 18
16 16

15 13
12
11

10
7

4 4
5 3
2

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Total Men Women

Source: SSC

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Figure 28. Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate
16 14,8

14 12,7

12

10 9,3
8,1
8

6
4,5 4,5 4,5 4,3 4,5

1,4
2

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP, % Turism direct GDP in growth rate, %

Source: SSC

8.10. Strengthen the capacity of do- reason for the decline in this indicator
mestic financial institutions to encour- was the closure of a number of banks in
age and expand access to banking, 2015-2019 due to financial difficulties.
insurance and financial services for all. In absolute terms, the number of ATMs
in the country in 2015 was 2,694 (1,502
8.10.1 (a) Number of commercial bank in Baku and 1,192 in the regions); by the
branches per 100,000 adults and (b) end of 2019, this figure had dropped
number of automated teller machines to 2,647 (1,421 in Baku and 1,226 in the
(ATMs) per 100,000 adults. regions). In 2015, the number of peo-
The number of commercial bank ple per ATM was 36,000 people, and
branches, per 100,000 population aged in 2019 it was 38,000 people. In 2019,
15 and above, decreased from 18.1 in 509 bank branches, belonging to 30
2015 to 11.0 in 2019, and the number banks, were operational in the country
of ATMs from 35.8 to 33.9. The main (two public and 28 private sector).

Figure 29. Number of commercial bank branches and number of ATMs per 100,000 adults
40
35,8
35 33,9
32,3 31,7 32,3

30

25

20 18,1

15 13,9
11,9 11,1 11
10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Branches ATMs

Source: SSC

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 PROGRESS IN
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8.b By 2020, develop and operational- 8.b.1 Total government spending in

ize a global strategy for youth employ- social protection and employment pro-
ment and implement the Global Jobs grammes as a proportion of the nation-
Pact of the International Labour Orga- al budgets and GDP.
nization. The efficient use of labour resources,
In 2020, the “2020-2025 Action Plan expanding employment and entre-
for the Implementation of the Employ- preneurship opportunities, supporting
ment Strategy” was approved by the decent work, increasing the competi-
Decree No. 1816 of the President of the tiveness of the workforce and increas-
Republic of Azerbaijan dated 13 Febru- ing labour productivity, have all been
ary, 2020. It comprises the following identified as key goals for the strategic
activities: roadmaps for the development of the
- expanding the network of vocational national economy and its key sectors.
rehabilitation centres for people with In this regard, a long-term state employ-
disabilities in the regions to strength- ment policy aimed at ensuring effective
en the social rehabilitation of people employment, the “2019-2030 Employ-
with disabilities, especially youth; ment Strategy of the Republic of Azer-
baijan”, was approved by the Decree of
- supporting the establishment of the President of the Republic of Azer-
career centres and career counsel- baijan on 30 October, 2018.
ing services in higher, specialized
secondary and vocational education The goal of the Strategy is to ensure
institutions to organize the occupa- the transition of the employment policy
tional orientation of young people; from an extensive to intensive phase,
- increasing the effectiveness of vo- to increase employment, to ensure full
cational training courses to attract employment, to support decent work
people with special needs and diffi- and to increase labour productivity.
culties in finding employment, espe-
cially young people, and people with With a view to strengthening the inte-
disabilities, to the labour market; gration of young people from vocation-
al education into the labour market,
- expanding the application of com- improving career (vocational) counsel-
petence-oriented modular training ing and planning services and ensuring
using advanced educational meth- atransition to the widespread use of
ods in this field; digital technologies have been identi-
- taking measures to attract a seg- fied as priorities in the Strategy.
ment of the inactive working-age
population to the labour market, on
the basis of statistical data regarding
the number of this group (especially
youth and women).

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GOAL 10
Reduce inequality
within and
among countries.

The aim of this goal is to ensure equal 10.4.1 Labour share of GDP, comprising
opportunities for the social, economic wages and social protection transfers.
and political inclusion of all, irrespective Compared to 2015, the labour share
of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, re- of GDP increased by 0.3 percentage
ligion or other status, reducing inequali- points from 20.5 percent to 21.0 per-
ties in income, improving the regulation cent in 2019. Over the past 5 years,
and monitoring of global financial mar- the nominal income of the population
kets and institutions, and facilitating the increased by 36%, from 41.7 billion AZN
orderly migration and safe mobility of to 56.8 billion AZN.
people.
10.7. Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and
10.4. Adopt policies, especially fiscal, responsible migration and mobility of
wage and social protection policies, people, including through the imple-
and progressively achieve greater mentation of planned and well-man-
equality. aged migration policies.

Figure 30. Labour share of GDP, %

25,0

20,2 20,5
20,0 19,4
18,0 18,4

15,0

10,0

5,0

0,0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Source: SSC Labour share of GDP, %

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10.7.2. Existance of migration policy to fa- staying in Azerbaijan are kept by the
cilitate orderly, safe, regular and respon- Unified Migration Information System
sible migration and mobility of people. of the State Migration Service (VMMS),
In the past few years, significant im- created by the Decree of the Presi-
provements have been made in the dent of the Republic of Azerbaijan (No.
regulation of migration in the Repub- 276 dated 4 June, 2010). The VMMS
lic of Azerbaijan. The application of also provides necessary information to
the “one-stop shop” principle for the government agencies involved in the
management of migration processes, management of migration processes,
in accordance with the Decree of the automating migration documentation,
President of the Republic of Azerbai- inspections, surveys and analysis. The
jan dated 4 March, 2009, was one of VMMS is integrated with the “Entry-Exit
the important steps taken to develop and Registration” Interdepartmental
the migration management system Automated Data Search System and
taking into account international best relevant systems of other government
practices. It has resulted in more flex- agencies. It is also integrated, where
ible, simplified and efficient migration available, with the systems of hotels,
management mechanisms, and has sanatoriums, recreation facilities, board-
helped ensure responsiveness and ing houses, campsites, tourist bases,
transparency in this area. The State hospitals and other such public places
Migration Service issues permits and operating across the country.
relevant identification documents to
foreigners and stateless persons for Since September, 2011, a special e-ser-
temporary and permanent residence in vice section has been hosted on the of-
the country, registers them on the basis ficial website of the State Migration Ser-
of their place of residence, extends the vice and currently provides 17 relevant
period of temporary stay of foreign- e-services, thus making migration-re-
ers and stateless persons, and issues lated information more easily accessi-
work permits to enable these people ble for applicants. Information on the
to engage in paid employment in the names of the services, accurate lists of
country. Exit and return visas issued to documents required for the provision of
foreigners have been abolished since these services and the electronic form
the introduction of the “one-stop shop” of relevant documents (application, ap-
principle. Currently, foreigners and plication form, letterhead, etc.), as well
stateless persons can exit or return to as the amount of State fees for permits,
the country without obtaining a visa by decisions and other documents are
presenting temporary and permanent provided in the e-service section.
residence permits and valid passports
(or other border crossing documents) The State Migration Service considers
as many times as they wish. the policy of ‘open information’ one of
its priority areas. In this regard, par-
Records of foreigners and stateless ticular attention is paid to providing
persons living, working and temporarily information to foreigners, as well as to

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Azerbaijani citizens, and on improving 10.b Encourage official development

the main means of communication, in assistance and financial flows, in-
the field of public relations. cluding foreign direct investment, to
states where the need is greatest, in
Regarding international cooperation in particular least developed countries,
the field of migration, the Republic of African countries, small island develop-
Azerbaijan was accepted as a member ing states and landlocked developing
of the Global Forum on Migration and countries, in accordance with their
Development Steering Group in light of national plans and programmes.
the country’s achievements in migration 10.b.1 Total resource flows for develop-
management at the national and re- ment, by recipient and donor countries
gional levels. and type of flow (e.g. official develop-
ment assistance, foreign direct invest-
Today, the State Migration Service also ment and other flows).
provides services in the ASAN service
centres. The ASAN agency was estab- In 2015-2019, direct investment at-
lished to increase the transparency of tracted to the country decreased by
government agency activities, to pro- 43% and amounted to 4,275.3 million
vide services to citizens in an improved USD, while direct investment abroad
and more comfortable format, using decreased by 20.3% and amounted to
modern innovations and with the aim 2,602.1 million US dollars. Compared to
of ensuring citizen satisfaction. These 2018, in 2019 there was an increase of
services include issuance of residence 166.2 million USD in direct investments
permits, and work permits, registration, attracted to the country, and a decrease
temporary stay extensions, handling cit- of 814.8 million USD in direct invest-
izenship enquiries, and the issuance of ments abroad.
certificates from the Unified Migration
Information System.

Figure 31. Direct investment attracted to Azerbaijan and direct investment abroad, million USD

8000 7483,1 7323,6

7000

6000 5713,8

5000
4109,1 4275,3
4000
3263,1 3416,9
2917,6
3000 2678,4 2602,1

2000

1000

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Direct investment attracted to Azerbaijan Direct investment abroad

Source: SSC

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Goal 12
Ensure sustainable
consumption and
production patterns.

The aim of SDG 12 is to achieve the 12.4.1 Number of parties to international

sustainable management and efficient multilateral environmental agreements
use of natural resources by 2030, halv- on hazardous waste, and other chem-
ing per capita global food waste at the icals that meet their commitments and
retail and consumer levels and reducing obligations in transmitting information as
food losses along production and supply required by each relevant agreement.
chains, including post-harvest losses, The Republic of Azerbaijan acceded
significantly reducing the release of to the UN Basel Convention on the
wastes to air, water and soil in order to Control of Transboundary Movements
minimize their adverse impact on human of Hazardous Wastes in 2001, and the
health and the environment. This, in turn, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Re-
requires that companies, especially large sources of the Republic of Azerbaijan
and transnational companies, adopt has been disgnated as the competent
sustainable management practices and authority under the Basel Convention.
integrate sustainability information into In order to fulfill obligations under the
their reporting cycle, that sustainable Convention, the “Passportization of
tourism is introduced, which promotes Hazardous Waste” Rule and the “State
local culture and products, and that Strategy for Hazardous Waste Man-
environmentally sound management of agement in the Republic of Azerbaijan”
chemicals and all wastes is achieved. were approved.
12.4. By 2020, achieve the environ- The Stockholm Convention on Per-
mentally sound management of chem- sistent Organic Pollutants was ratified
icals and all wastes throughout their by the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2003.
life cycle, in accordance with agreed The Ministry of Ecology and Natural
international frameworks, and signifi- Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan
cantly reduce their release to air, water has been designated as the competent
and soil in order to minimize their authority under the Convention. The
adverse impacts on human health and Ministry has collected extensive infor-
the environment.

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mation on the Convention, established phased reduction of the use of ODS in

a working group of experts from rele- Azerbaijan was developed and submit-
vant organizations and prepared a plan ted to the Secretariat of the Conven-
of relevant proposals. tion. According to the obligations under
the protocol, the use of chlorofluorocar-
The Republic of Azerbaijan ratified bon-containing ODS and their import
the Montreal Protocol on Substances should be stopped in the country.
that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the
relevant amendments to the Protocol in 12.4.2. Hazardous waste generated
1996. The annual amount of ozone-de- per capita and proportion of hazardous
pleting substances (ODS) used in the waste treated, by type of treatment.
country has been determined and the
Ozone Strategy of the Republic of Azer- During 2015-2019, the hazardous waste
baijan has been developed, envisag- generated per capita increased by 16.5
ing the phased reduction of the use of percent from 27.2 kg to 31.7 kg. Specif-
these substances. In accordance with ically, compared to 2015 the amount
the strategy, a time schedule for the of hazardous waste generated in 2019

Figure 32. Hazardous waste generated per capita, kg

70 64,8

60

50

40
34,1
31,7
30 27,2 27,0

20

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

kg
Source: SSC

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increased by 21% from 262.6 thousand projects envisaged in the Order have
tons to 317.4 thousand tons. The highest been prepared.
volume of hazardous waste per capita
was 130.8 kg and 5.1 kg, respectively, in In addition, a number of measures have
Baku city and Absheron economic region. been taken to assess the potential
for the production of electricity from
12.a Support developing countries to renewable energy sources and mea-
strengthen their scientific and techno- sures to be taken to use this potential.
logical capacity to move towards more Eight areas were identified as having
sustainable patterns of consumption the renewable energy potential of total
and production. capacity approximately 1,000 MW.
12.a.1 Installed renewable energy-gen- In addition, projects expanding the
erating capacity (in watts per capita) potential of solar and wind energy in
the regions will also be developed in
The Ministry of Energy has taken im- the coming years, using non-agricultural
portant steps in recent years to signifi- lands. In this regard, the Ministry has
cantly increase the share of renewable already identified the administrative
energy in energy supply; relevant laws territorial units and is exploring the des-
and regulations have been adopted to ignated uses of the lands and connec-
improve the legislative and institution- tivity to the electricity network.
al framework for the development of
renewable energy sources, and exec- In 2020, “Azalternativenerji” LLC, a sub-
utive agreements have been signed. sidiary of the State Agency for Renew-
The draft Law of the Republic of Azer- able Energy Sources under the Ministry
baijan “On the use of renewable energy of Energy, generated 10.0 million kWh
sources in the production of electricity”, of electricity from renewable energy
which makes a special contribution to sources, of which 8.5 million kWh was
the development of renewable ener- transferred to the power grid.
gy, was prepared and submitted to the Overall, from 2015 to December, 2020,
government in coordination with state 2,883.3 million m3 of natural gas was
agencies. not utilised in Azerbaijan and 5.1 million
tons of CO2 emissions were reduced as
In order to promote private invest- a result of renewable energy sources
ment in the development of this field, being used for electricity production.
which requires high-tech equipment
and special technical skills, in 2019 the
President of the Republic of Azerbai- The Ministry of Energy has set a target
jan signed an Order “On measures to of a 30% increase by 2030 in the share
implement pilot projects in the use of of installed renewable energy capac-
renewable energy sources.” Six regu- ity in the total energy balance of the
latory documents on issues and mech- country. To achieve this, a total of 1,500
anisms to be resolved within the legal MW of installed capacity will be created
aspects of the implementation of pilot from renewable energy sources, includ-

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ing 440 MW in 2020-2022, 460 MW in the next act of aggression by Armenia,

2023-2025 and 600 MW in 2026-2030. were treated separately. Precisely, a set
On 9 January, 2020, the Ministry of of proposals have been put forward on
Energy signed executive agreements activities related to installation of mea-
with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and suring observation stations to deter-
the UAE-based Masdar on the imple- mine the exact potential for wind and
mentation of pilot projects on renew- solar energy and assessment of techni-
able energy. In accordance with these cal capabilities and economic efficien-
agreements, pilot projects will be im- cy; and 1 solar measuring observation
plemented with ACWA Power for the station has already been installed in
construction of a 240 MW wind power Zangilan district.
plant and with Masdar for the construc-
tion of 230 MW solar power plants. On Eight areas with a total potential of
29 December, 2020, the Ministry of more than 4,000 MW have been identi-
Energy, Azerenergy OJSC and ACWA fied for the construction of solar power
Power signed an Investment Agree- plants in six districts (Fuzuli, Jabrayil,
ment, a Power Purchase Agreement Zangilan, Gubadli, Lachin and Kalbajar)
and a Transmission Network Connec- in the liberated areas. In the mountain-
tion Agreement on a project for the ous part of Lachin and Kalbajar regions
construction of a 240 MW wind power on the border with Armenia, there are
plant project. large areas with an average annual
wind speed of 7-8 m/s at an altitude
Under the pilot project “Knowledge of 100 meters. Taking into account the
Exchange and Technical Assistance on infrastructure, geographical relief and
the Development of Floating Solar Pan- other factors of these areas, the initial
el Systems” implemented with the sup- wind energy potential is estimated at
port of the Asian Development Bank, 600 MW.
the installation of a 100 KW photovoltaic
system on Boyukshor Lake is planned. In addition, from the first quarter of
Business models promoting the par- 2020, the State Housing Development
ticipation of the private sector in solar Agency has began cooperation with
installations will also be developed, and the United Nations Development Pro-
training will be given to strengthen na- gramme (UNDP). Within the framework
tional capacity. The project is expected of this cooperation, in the Agency’s next
to be completed by 2023. projects, it is planned to introduce new
energy efficiency norms and standards
The districts with high renewable ener- and install energy efficiency and renew-
gy potential in the territories of the Re- able energy technologies reducing the
public of Azerbaijan liberated from the greenhouse effect, in 21 social buildings
occupation of the Republic of Armenia to be constructed in residential com-
during the counter-offensive launched plexes, with funding from Global Envi-
on September 27, 2020 in response to ronment Facility (GEF).

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Goal 13
Take urgent action
to combat climate change
and its impacts.

This goal is aimed at strengthening re- The number of people killed, injured,
silience to climate-related hazards and rescued and evacuated as a result
natural disasters in all countries, eliminat- of disasters per 100,000 population
ing the consequences of climate changes increased from 13.9 to 24.6 in 2016,
and mitigating the impacts thereof. This, and in subsequent years decreased
in turn, requires strengthening of early steadily to 17.1. In 2019, the number of
warning measures, as well as promotion people killed as a result of disasters per
of enhanced education, effective planning 100,000 population was 0.7, the number
and management capacity. of injured was 3.4, the number of res-
cued was 0.6, and the number of evac-
13.1. Strengthen resilience and adap- uees was 12.4. Overall, 14,192 natural
tive capacity to climate-related hazards and man-made disasters (139 natural
and natural disasters in all countries. disasters, 14,053 man-made disasters)
13.1.1 Number of deaths, injuries, res- occurred in the country in 2019, which
cued persons and evacuated persons is 1,272 incidents or 8.2 percent less
attributed to disasters per 100,000 than in 2018. As a result of natural and
population. man-made disasters, 70 people died,
338 were injured, 63 were rescued and
1,228 were evacuated.

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Figure 33. Persons killed, injured, rescued and evacuated as a result of disasters, per 100,000 population
30

25
0,7
2,5 0,7
0,7 1,1
20 3,4 2,4
1,6 0,9
0,7
15 3,4
0,8
0,6
2,5
10 20,7
2,2
16,9 17,6

12,4
5
8,4

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

evacuated rescued injured deaths

Source: SSC

13.2. Integrate climate change mea- well as online events, meetings, semi-
sures into national policies, strategies nars, training courses, etc. were orga-
and planning. nized in frames of the projects.
A number of measures have been tak-
en to study and apply international ex- In addition, the necessary domestic
perience in the field of climate change procedures for the technical assistance
in our country. Relevant coordination project document “Support to the
meetings were held on the implementa- planning and implementation of climate
tion of international projects and pro- change adaptation activities in Azerbai-
grams in the field of climate change, as jan” between the Government of the

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Figure 34. Total greenhouse gas emissions per year, million tons (CO2 equivalent)
60
53,6
51,4 50,9 50,7
50

40

30

20

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018

million tons
Source: SSC

Republic of Azerbaijan and the United pared to 2015 and reached to 53.6
Nations Development Programme have million tons in 2018. In 2018, 61.0 per-
been completed. The document was cent or 32.7 million tons of greenhouse
approved by the Order of the Cabinet gases was carbon dioxide (CO2), 6.5
of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbai- percent or 3.5 million tons was nitrogen
jan No. 192s dated March 11, 2021. oxide (N2O), 31.5 percent or 16,9 million
tons was methane (CH4) and 0.9 per-
With the support of the United Nations cent or 0.5 million tons of F-gases.
Development Programme, the prepara-
tion of the Fourth National Communica- Overall, from 2015 to the end of 2020,
tion of Azerbaijan to the United Nations 2,883.3 million m3 of natural gas was
Framework Convention on Climate saved in the Republic of Azerbaijan and
Change has been completed. Within CO2 emissions were reduced by 5.1 mil-
the framework of the EU4Climate re- lion tons thanks to electricity generated
gional project implemented by the Unit- from renewable energy sources.
ed Nations Development Programme,
priority sectors leading to significant 13.3. Improve education, aware-
carbon reductions have been selected; ness-raising and human and institu-
a preliminary action plan for the preper- tional capacity on climate change mit-
ation of future Low Carbon Develop- igation, adaptation, impact reduction
ment Strategy has been drafted and and early warning.
the country is currently assessing the With a view to mitigating the effects of
situation in sectors. climate change, the Presidential Decree
No. 560 of 11 March 2020 determined
13.2.2 Total greenhouse gas emissions the new composition of the State Com-
per year. mission on Climate Change and estab-
Total greenhouse gas emissions per lished a Working Group consisting of
year increased by 4.3 percent com- representatives of relevant organizations

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under the coordination of the Ministry of hydrometeorological events resulting

Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR). from climate change, to improve the
The Working Group prepared an “Ac- forecasting and early warning system,
tion Plan on issues to be addressed at as well as to modernize the logistics
the level of the State Commission.” The base in order improve monitoring and
Action Plan includes activities to develop laboratory activities. Specifically, as part
draft laws and regulatory documents in of the Strategic Road Maps and other
the field of energy efficiency and renew- state programme activities, 10 hydro-
able energy sources, on expanding the meteorological stations will be adapted
use, promotion and application of re- to become agrometeorological stations.
newable energy sources, on the intro- Furthermore, another seven hydrolog-
duction of measures to reduce carbon ical stations were refurbished and are
emissions, and also on climate change now fully operational.
adaptation activities.
During this period, meteorological, hy-
In addition, in order to combat climate drological, agrometeorological, actino-
change and its effects, the Republic of metric, radar and oceanographic obser-
Azerbaijan submitted to the Secretariat vations were carried out in accordance
of the Convention its nationally defined with the relevant instructions; hydrome-
contributions under the Paris Agree- teorological conditions were studied;
ment adopted at the 21st Conference short-term and long-term hydrometeo-
of the Parties on 12 December 2015. As rological forecasts, including issuance
a contribution to global climate change of warnings of expected dangerous
mitigation initiatives, it has been set as hydrometeorological events were en-
a target to achieve a 35% reduction in sured; and hydrometeorological service
greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 was provided to state agencies, organi-
compared to the baseline year (1990). zations and the population.

Measures have been taken to strength- The Republic of Azerbaijan has joined
en mitigation activities for dangerous the Bonn challenge to restore the forest

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landscape in lands degraded by climate to this indicator in standards, curricula

change and aims to restore 270,000 and training programs.
hectares of forest by 2030. During the
period, reforestation measures covered 13.b.1 Availability of nationally deter-
24.5 thousand hectares. Reforestation mined contributions, long-term strat-
measures were carried out in 22,000 egies, national adaptation plans and
hectares through natural restoration, strategies as reported in adaptation
and in 2,500 hectares through planting, communications.
sowing and other methods. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Re-
sources and the Ministry of Agriculture
Assessment of damage to environment of the Republic of Azerbaijan devel-
and natural resources in the recently oped and approved a Joint Action Plan
liberated areas of the Republic of Azer- to Support Green Agriculture (2020
baijan revealed that in the territories that -2023) with a view to further strength-
had been under occupation of Armenia ening the coordinated activities of the
for 30 years, 260,311 hectares of forests two government agencies in the field of
and valuable tree species such as oak, agrobiodiversity, ecosystem protection
beech, hornbeam, ash-tree, pine, maple, and efficient use of natural resources
hazelnut, walnut and plane trees were and improve information exchange.
cut down and used for various purpos-
es. Mass deforestation in the occupied The Joint Action Plan to Support Green
territories that lasted many years has led Agriculture incorporates measures for
to desertification and soil erosion. mitigation of and adaptation to the envi-
ronmental impact of agricultural activi-
As a result of deliberate fires in the ties, efficient water and land use activi-
area, more than a hundred thousand ties, protection, expansion and efficient
hectares were destroyed by fire. As a use of forest resources, protection of
result of regular fires, the fertile topsoil, biodiversity and ecosystems, aqua-
along with grasses and shrubs, were culture development, support to the
destroyed, and the number of fauna and development of organic (environmen-
flora species declined sharply. tally sound) agriculture and strength-
ening of institutional capacity. Within
13.3.1 Extent to which (i) global citizen- the framework of the Joint Action Plan,
ship education and (ii) education for it is planned to establish a Working
sustainable development (including Group and implement measures on the
climate change education) are main- sub-activities of the Action Plan in the
streamed in (a) national education poli- coming years.
cies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education;
and (d) student assessment.
Relevant working groups have been
instructed to include the issues related

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Goal 16
Promote peaceful and inclusive
societies for sustainable development,
provide access to justice for all and
build effective, accountable and
inclusive institutions at all levels.

This Goals is aimed at significantly re- In addition to ensuring the continuity of

ducing all forms of violence and related activities related to incorporating inter-
death rates everywhere, ending abuse, national standards, the Plan also pro-
exploitation, trafficking and torture of motes education and awareness-rais-
children, providing legal identity for all, ing, incorporates activities related
including birth registration, substantially to the detection and identification of
reducing corruption and bribery in all victims of domestic violence, providing
their forms, significantly reducing illicit assistance to these victims in line with
financial and arms flows, and promoting modern standards, and includes mea-
non-discriminatory laws and policies. sures on the formulation of an effective
protection system.
16.1. Significantly reduce all forms
of violence and related death rates In accordance with the Law of the Re-
everywhere. public of Azerbaijan on Social Services,
Presidential Decree No. 2307 of No- a support center for victims of domestic
vember 27, 2020 approved the “2020- violence (children) was established,
2023 National Action Plan to Combat which is based on the award of public
Domestic Violence in the Republic of orders in the field of social services
Azerbaijan”. to municipalities, individuals and legal
entities, including non-governmental
The main goal of the Plan is to bring organizations; social, psychological,
domestic violence prevention measures and legal support services were pro-
in line with international standards, vided to 125 child victims of domestic
to provide families with timely and violence in 12 districts and cities (Sheki,
comprehensive assistance in order to Zagatala, Gabala, Agsu, Ismayilli, Khizi,
strengthen them, and to implement and Shabran, Shamakhi, Guba, Gusar, Go-
increase the effectiveness of measures bustan, Absheron) that are under the
stipulated in the regulations in the field jurisdiction of the Sumgayit City Court
of domestic violence prevention. of Appeal.

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To prevent domestic violence, as well 16.1.1 Number of victims of intentional

as early marriages, the Ministry of In- homicide per 100,000 population, by
ternal Affairs pays special attention to sex and age.
the organization of explanatory and le- The number of victims of international
gal awareness events among the pop- homicide decreased from 211 in 2015
ulation, as well as students of general to 168 in 2019. During the period under
educational institutions; thus, it has review, the share of homicides in the
organized awareness raising events structure of crimes registered within the
at various educational institutions and main types of crimes decreased from
children’s and youth organizations on 0.8% to 0.6%. The number of intentional
“Legal liability for and psychological homicides per 100,000 population de-
aspects of early marriages”, “Family creased from 2.4 in 2015 to 1.7 in 2019,
values and legislation”, “Family is un- including from 3.2 to 2.2 for men and
der the special protection of the state” from 1.5 to 1.2 for women.
etc.
16.2. End abuse, exploitation, traffick-
In 2020, the registry offices of the ing and all forms of violence against
Ministry of Justice informed more than and torture of children.
60 young people of very early mar-
riage age about the adverse effects of In 2019, Azerbaijan ratified the Council of
early marriage, as well as consanguine Europe Convention on the Protection of
marriage on life and health, quality of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and
life, emotional and psychological devel- Sexual Abuse. Relevant draft laws have
opment, as well as held more than 50 since been prepared by the Ministry of
awareness-raising events to prevent Justice and submitted to the Cabinet of
early marriage. Ministers for the implementation of the
Convention. In 2020, the “2020-2030
Child Strategy of the Republic of Azer-

Figure 35. Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex
4
3,2

3
2,7

3 2,4
2,2 2,2
2,0 2,0
2 1,8
1,7 1,7
1,5 1,5
2 1,4
1,3
1,2

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

total men women

Source: SSC

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baijan” was approved by the Presidential 16.2.2 Number of victims of human traf-
Decree. The main goal of the Strategy is ficking per 100,000 population, by sex,
to bring the child protection system into age and form of exploitation
full compliance with the requirements The full purpose of the National Action
of the Constitution and the principles of Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human
the UN Convention on the Rights of the Beings is to ensure the continuity of ac-
Child, to create equal opportunities for all tivities that protect individuals and soci-
children, to protect their best interests, to ety from all forms of human trafficking,
more effectively protect the rights of chil- in particular to prevent the exploitation
dren in need of State care and to provide of women, children and other vulner-
them with social support services in line able groups, to identify and eliminate
with modern requirements. the causes of human trafficking, the
conditions conducive to human traffick-
The Strategy determines the priorities ing, to reduce the risk of persons falling
for improving the legal framework and victim to human trafficking, to identify
institutional structure of child protec- and ensure the social protection of
tion, ensuring the development of groups vulnerable to human trafficking,
children in early childhood, strength- to detect and prevent all forms of hu-
ening the social protection of vulnera- man trafficking, as well as eliminate its
ble children, ensuring the cultural and consequences, to ensure the protection
aesthetic education of children and of victims of trafficking, the restoration
their participation in cultural events, and of their rights and social rehabilitation,
improving the system of monitoring and to create the necessary conditions to
evaluation of the status of implementa- improve the living standards of victims
tion of children’s rights. and potential victims of human traf-
ficking, and to identify citizens of the
In addition, the “2020-2024 National Republic of Azerbaijan who have been
Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in trafficked abroad.
Human Beings in the Republic of Azer-
baijan” includes activities that strength- While the number of victims of human
en measures preventing child marriage, trafficking per 100,000 population
increase the accessibility of education increased during 2015-2017, there has
for victims, likely victims or potential vic- been a downward trend in the following
tims of human trafficking, and continue years. That is, during 2015-2017, the
the monitoring of children’s absentee- number of victims of human traffick-
ism from education and child neglect. ing per 100,000 population increased
Activities also relate to the provision of from 2.7 to 3.6, and in 2018 and 2019,
individual preventive care, working with it decreased to 3.1 and 0.9, respective-
children avoiding education and those ly. Compared to 2015, this figure de-
in conflict with the law, and aware- creased from 5.2 to 1.7 for women and
ness-raising among entrepreneurs and from 0.2 to 0.1 for men in 2019.
employers in order to prevent child
labour abuse, etc.

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Figure 36. Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex

7
6,3
6,0
6 5,6
5,2
5

4 3,6
3,0 3,1
3 2,7

2 1,7

0,8 0,9
1
0,2 0,2 0,1 0,1
0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Source: SSC total men women

In accordance with the “Rules for the and districts of the country on combat-
Social Rehabilitation of Victims of Human ing human trafficking and forced labor.
Trafficking” approved by the Cabinet of
Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, These events involved law enforcement
the Center for Assistance to Victims of officers, representatives of local exec-
Human Trafficking provided social, psy- utive authorities and juvenile commis-
chological and legal services to 85 vic- sions, health workers, entrepreneurs,
tims of human trafficking in 2019 and 10 representatives of transport, education,
victims in 2020, as well as provided guid- social protection, employment centers,
ance for their treatment, employment, civil society and the media; the over
and acquisition of a certain profession. 10,000 booklets have been distributed.

In 2019, the Ministry of Labour and So- Additionally, in 2019, events were held at
cial Protection held interactive informa- the juvenile detention facility of the Pen-
tion sessions for students in a number itentiary Service in order to raise aware-
of vocational schools and lyceums, on ness with juveniles on how to avoid
the types of human trafficking, on how becoming a victim of human trafficking.
people become victims of human traf-
ficking, as well as on ways of combating With the cooperation and support of a
human trafficking; relevant educational special police agency, a public aware-
booklets and brochures were distribut- ness campaign was held in Baku for the
ed at the events. broader public. Educational videos and
more than 100,000 awareness materi-
In addition, the Ministry of Internal als in Azerbaijani, English and Russian
Affairs and the Ministry of Education were distributed, and programmes
organized joint awareness-raising dedicated to human trafficking were
workshops in secondary, vocational and prepared and aired by various TV and
higher education institutions in 55 cities radio stations and video portals.

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16.3. Promote the rule of law at the ensuring transparency and efficiency,
national and international levels and increasing the effectiveness of control
ensure equal access to justice for all. over the enforcement of court deci-
Within the framework of judicial and sions, and ensuring documentation is
legal reforms carried out in the coun- efficiently processed, both clerically
try within the past period, a number of and digitally.
important measures have been taken to
promote the sustainable development The information system enables the
of the justice and judicial system. digital preparation, submission and
receipt of applications, complaints and
In connection with the implementa- other documents, the efficient regis-
tion of the Presidential Decree “On tration and processing of documents,
deepening reforms in the judicial-legal the generation of automated digitized
system”, the operation of new regional spreadsheets regarding times and
commercial and administrative courts dates of court proceedings, digital de-
were organized, and the construction of livery of information to persons partici-
new administrative buildings equipped pating in court proceedings (electronic
wit high technologies for several district cabinet, e-mail and SMS notification),
courts was completed with a view to and allowing participants to attend the
modernizing the judicial infrastructure. court hearings remotely. In order to en-
sure public access to justice during the
In addition, work continued on the COVID-19 pandemic, court proceedings
development of the “Electronic Court” for civil and commercial cases were
information system. Under an agreement conducted via video conference.
signed with the World Bank on 16 June
2020, necessary measures were tak- Under the Law of 25 June, 2020, sig-
en to introduce “Electronic Court” and nificant amendments were made to
“Electronic enforcement” throughout the the Code of Criminal Procedure on
country, and the further modernization of conducting criminal proceedings elec-
the e-justice system, including “artificial tronically and conducting proceedings
intelligence”, “intellectual governance”, through the “Electronic Court” informa-
“predictive justice” and other innova- tion system using video conferencing.
tions were put in place. Under the Presi- The Ministry put in place the required
dential Decree dated 1 June 1, 2020, the measures for the application of a video
“Regulations on the Electronic Court In- conferencing system in criminal pro-
formation System” were also approved. ceedings, and the system has been
used in the courts since July 2020.
The information system is designed Moreover, the accession of the Republic
to effectively protect human and civil of Azerbaijan to the Second Additional
rights and freedoms, expanding access Protocol to the European Convention
to justice, increasing the efficiency and on Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters,
transparency of justice, preventing which provides for the application of
procrastination and abuse of power, videoconferencing in the interroga-

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Table 2: Cases of violence, %

2019
Proportion of violence victims 23.3
men 14.8
women 8.5
Physical violence 22.5
men 14.7
women 7.7
Sexual violence 0.8
men 0.1
women 0.8
Source: SSC

tion of persons in connection with the The proportion of unsentenced detain-

provision of mutual legal assistance, is ees in total number of prison population
currently under consideration. in 2019 decreased by 1.7 percentage
points compared to 2016 and amount-
Representatives of relevant government ed to 11.6 percent.
agencies have participated in numer-
ous international trainings, workshops 16.5. Substantially reduce corruption
and other events that contribute to the and bribery in all their forms.
capacity building of local staff and the Presidential Decree No. 1859 of Feb-
study of international experience. ruary 27, 2020 approved the “2020-
2022 National Action Plan for Promo-
16.3.1 Proportion of victims of violence tion of Open Government”. The main
in the previous 12 months who report- factors that necessitated the adoption
ed their victimization to competent au- of the National Action Plan were: fur-
thorities or other officially recognized ther expansion of application of the
conflict resolution mechanisms. principles of openness, transparency
and accountability; increasing financial
In 2019, the proportion of victims of transparency; increasing the means
violence reporting their victimization for ensuring of access to information;
amounted to 23.3%, of which 22.5% support for civil society institutions and
was related to physical violence and strengthening public control, sustain-
0.9% to sexual violence. While most ability of measures to promote open
incidents were reported by men, most government is to provide.
incidents of sexual violence were re-
ported by women. The Plan includes measures to be taken
to prevent corruption and strengthen
16.3.2 Unsentenced detainees as a transparency in the activities of state
proportion of overall prison population

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Figure 37. Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population, %

14 13,3
11,9 11,6
12
10,2
10

0
2016 2017 2018 2019

Series 1
Source: SSC

agencies, ensure financial transparency, faceted activities to expand coopera-

legalization of criminally obtained funds tion with international organizations on
or other property and financing of ter- anti-corruption, in particular the Coun-
rorism, improve public services, expand cil of Europe Group of States against
the activities of civil society members, Corruption (GRECO), the Conference
enhance public oversight and public of States Parties to the UN Convention
participation, increase participation, against Corruption (UNCAC), the United
ensure access to information, ensure Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UN-
accountability, transparency and public ODC), the Organization for Economic
participation in local self-governance, Cooperation and Development (OECD),
increase transparency and accountabil- the International Anti-Corruption Acade-
ity in the private sector, and increase my (IACA), the OSCE and others.
transparency, accountability and cus-
tomer satisfaction in public utilities. The OECD Anti-Corruption Network
(ACN) assessed the anti-corruption
At the meeting of the Anti-Corruption legislation of Azerbaijan and the level
Commission of the Republic of Azer- of implementation as satisfactory, and
baijan held on September 15, 2020, it the activity of the “ASAN” service cen-
was decided to develop a draft “Na- tres was described as commendable.
tional Action Plan for Strengthening the During the reporting period, articles
Fight against Corruption in 2021-2025”. covering various aspects of the activi-
Together with the Prosecutor General’s ties of the General Anti-Corruption De-
Office, a draft law has already been pre- partment were prepared and published
pared and submitted to the Anti-Cor- on press outlets. In March 2021, the
ruption Commission of the Republic of General Anti-Corruption Department
Azerbaijan. published a guidance note on “Anti-cor-
ruption standards in the private sector”
Furthermore, Azerbaijan continues to to support the development of the busi-
implement comprehensive and multi- ness environment in Azerbaijan.

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During the reporting period, as part of were applications/complaints, 4,661

the measures put in place to prevent (3,849 in 2019) were appeals received
corruption and strengthen transparen- through the “161 Hotline” call center.
cy, draft amendments to a number of
legislative acts related to the provision In 2019, the General Department con-
of financial information by officials were sidered 317 appeals and other reports
prepared and submitted to the Cabinet as materials of criminal nature, and
of Ministers. In addition, the Cabinet criminal proceedings were initiated on
of Ministers issued a Resolution on 21 231 materials (72.9%) under various
October, 2020, “On some measures to articles of the Criminal Code, and a
ensure the periodic risk assessment of decision was made to refuse to initi-
the system of combating legalization ate criminal proceedings on 86 (27.1%)
of criminally obtained funds or other materials, upon which other measures
property and financing of terrorism stipulated by the legislation were taken.
(AML/CFT), arrange preparation for the
assessment to be carried out in the In 2020, the General Department
relevant field, and establish a coordina- considered 250 appeals and other
tion mechanism with this purpose”. In reports as materials of criminal nature,
line with this Resolution, a Coordination and criminal proceedings were initiated
Council was established to ensure that on 205 materials (82%) under various
national risk assessments are conduct- articles of the Criminal Code, and a
ed periodically. decision was made to refuse to initi-
ate criminal proceedings on 43 (17.2%)
The General Anti-Corruption Department materials, and 2 (0.8%) appeals were
under the Prosecutor General of the attached to criminal cases.
Republic of Azerbaijan received 9,177
(8,447 in 2019) appeals from citizens 16.5.1 Proportion of businesses that
in 2020, of which 4,516 (4,598 in 2019) had at least one contact with a public

Figure 38. Proportion of businesses that had at least one contact with a public official and that paid a bribe
to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials during the previous 12 months, %

1,6 1,47

1,2 1,09

0,8

0,52
0,43
0,38
0,4

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Source: SSC faiz

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Figure 39. Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector, %

120

96,0 98,1 98,4 97

100
84,3
80

60

40

20

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Source: SSC faiz

official and that paid a bribe to a public 16.9. By 2030, provide legal identity for
official, or were asked for a bribe by all, including birth registration.
those public officials during the previ- 16.9.1 Proportion of children under 5
ous 12 months. years of age whose births have been
A 1.09% increase was recorded in this registered with a civil authority, by age.
indicator in 2019 compared to 2015, Proportion of children under 5 years of
with the proportion of reported cases age whose births have been registered
reaching 1.47%, compared to 2015. with a civil authority amounted to 100
percent in 2015-2019.
16.6. Develop effective, accountable
and transparent institutions at all levels. 16.10. Ensure public access to infor-
16.6.1 Primary government expendi- mation and protect fundamental free-
tures as a proportion of original ap- doms, in accordance with national leg-
proved budget, by sector islation and international agreements.
The proportion of the primary govern- The operation, free of charge, of a
ment expenditures in the original ap- unified online database of regulatory
proved budget expenditures increased acts (www.e-qanun.az) and the State
by 12.7 percentage points, from 84.3 Register of Legal Acts (www.hüquqiakt-
percent in 2015 to 97.0 percent in 2019. lar.gov.az), which are open to the public
The volume of executed state budget and regularly updated by the Ministry
expenditures in 2019 amounted to 24.4 of Justice, continued throughout the
billion AZN, which is 37.3 percent more period under review.
than 17.8 billion AZN in 2015. Besides,
the volume of approved state budget To protect the property rights of citizens
expenditures in 2019 (25.1 billion AZN) and increase access to information on
was 19.4 percent more than in 2015 (21.1 related legal services, the Ministry of
billion AZN). Justice put in place a number of dig-

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ital services. Through these services, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan
citizens can obtain real-time informa- on Mass Media.
tion on property alienation, inheritance,
awards of power of attorney and oth- Moreover, the Office of the Ombuds-
er operations. Interactive consulting man established a department to pro-
services, used to obtain information, tect the right to information. The Office
provide prompt answers to citizens’ of the Ombudsman is responsible for
questions. ensuring the right to information, and
considers and responds to appeals re-
These databases have been visited ceived in connection with the violation
2.25 million times. To further improve of the right to information; promotes
these resources, a database of legisla- and advocates for the right to informa-
tion in line with modern requirements tion; conducts awareness-raising activ-
was launched in March 2021. ities on the legal aspects of the right to
information; conducts monitoring and
16.10.2 Existence of constitutional, analysis in this area; and implement ac-
statutory and/or policy guarantees that tivities in other areas related to the right
have been adopted and are implement- to information.
ed for public access to information.
Article 47 of the Constitution of the During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ho-
Republic of Azerbaijan guarantees free- tlines of the Commissioner for Human
dom of opinion and speech to every- Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic
one. In addition, according to Article 50 of Azerbaijan in one centre and using
of the Constitution, everyone is free to modern information technologies, a uni-
legally seek, receive, impart, produce, fied 916 Call Centre was established to
and disseminate any information. That ensure the effectiveness of the appeals
is, the legal grounds for ensuring the of individuals. The Center received
right to information, established by Arti- appeals on a 24/7 basis, recorded the
cle 50 of the Constitution, on the basis conversations and entered them into
of the principles of an open society and an electronic database, which, unlike
a democratic state governed by the rule the previous period, allowed them to be
of law are enshrined in the Law of the promptly investigated by eliminating the
Republic of Azerbaijan on Access to requirement for a written application.
Information. Additionally, public awareness raising
activities were carried out and a social
The general rules in seeking, access- video was prepared in this regard.
ing, preparing, submitting, producing
and disseminating mass information, 16.a. Strengthen relevant national insti-
as well as the organizational, legal and tutions, including through international
economic grounds of the media, which cooperation, for building capacity at all
ensure citizens’ right to full, accurate levels, in particular in developing coun-
and timely information, are regulated by tries, to prevent violence and combat
terrorism and crime.

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16.a.1 Existence of independent nation- Republic of Azerbaijan dated June 18,

al human rights institutions in compli- 1998 envisaged the establishment of
ance with the Paris Principles the institution of the Commissioner for
Following the adoption of the Constitu- Human Rights.
tion of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the
country rebuilt the system of institution- On December 28, 2001, the Milli Majlis
al mechanisms for implementation of (Parliament) of the Republic of Azer-
democratic, legal reforms and effective baijan adopted the Constitutional Law
ensuring of human rights in this area. “On the Commissioner for Human
Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic
Determining the ensuring of human of Azerbaijan”, and on March 5, 2002,
rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan the President signed a Decree on the
as a national task, the establishment enforcement of this Law, thereby creat-
of the institution of the Commission- ing the legal basis for the establishment
er for Human Rights for the first time and operation of this institution.
was envisaged in the Decree of the
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan The first Ombudsman of the Republic
dated February 22, 1998 on measures of Azerbaijan was elected by the Milli
to ensure human and civil rights and Majlis on July 2, 2002 by 111 votes (out
freedoms. Also, the “State Program on of 112 votes) from among three candi-
Protection of Human Rights” approved dates nominated by the President of
by the Decree of the President of the the Republic of Azerbaijan.

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Goal 17
Revitalize the global
partnership for
sustainable
development.

SDG 17 is aimed at enhancing macro- 17.1. Strengthen domestic resource

economic stability, assisting developing mobilization, including through interna-
countries in attaining long-term debt tional support to developing countries,
sustainability, addressing the external to improve domestic capacity for tax
debt of highly indebted poor countries, and other revenue collection.
doubling the least developed coun- 17.1.1 Total government revenue as a
tries’ share of global exports, facilitating proportion of GDP, by source.
market access, developing the science,
technology and innovation capacity, The proportion of state budget reve-
and increasing significantly the avail- nues in GDP decreased from 32.2% in
ability of high-quality, timely and reliable 2015 to 29.8% in 2019. Realized state
data disaggregated by income, gender, budget revenues increased by 39.4%
age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, in 2019 compared to 2015 amounting
disability, geographic location and other to AZN 24.4 billion in 2019. 48.2% (AZN
characteristics relevant in national con- 11,755.0 million) of these revenues were
texts for these countries. tax revenues and 51.8% (AZN 12.6 bil-
lion) were other revenues.
Figure 40. Total government revenue as a proportion of GDP, %
35
32,2
29,0 29,8
30 28,1

25 23,5

20

15

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

percent
Source: SSC

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Figure 41. Proportion of domestic budget funded by domestic taxes, %

60 56,6
50,2 51,6
50 47,0 48,2

40

30

20

10

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

percent

Source: SSC

17.1.2 Proportion of domestic budget for value added tax, AZN 854.7 million
funded by domestic taxes. (3.5%) for excise tax, AZN 133.8 million
During 2015-2019, the proportion of tax- (0.6%) for mining tax, AZN 1.3 billion
es in state budget revenues decreased (5.5%) for taxes related to foreign eco-
by 2% , from 50.2% to 48.2%. However, nomic activity, AZN 358.6 million (1.5%)
the volume of tax revenues of the state for simplified taxes, and AZN 118.9 mil-
budget increased from AZN 8.8 billion lion (0.5%) for road tax.
in 2015 to AZN 11.8 billion in 2019. Last
year, the volume of tax revenues of the 17.3 Mobilize additional financial re-
state budget amounted to AZN 952.1 sources for developing countries from
million (3.9%) for personal income tax, multiple sources.
AZN 2,5 billion AZN (10.4%) for corpo- 17.3.2 Volume of remittances (in United
rate income tax, AZN 50.0 million (0.2%) States dollars) as a proportion of total
for land tax, AZN 212.6 million (0.9% GDP.
for property tax, AZN 5.2 billion (21.2%)

Figure 42. Volume of remittances (in United States dollars) as a proportion of total GDP, %
3
2,5
2,2 2,3
1,9
2
1,5

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

percent
Source: SSC

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Compared to 2015, the volume of re- ed Nations level, and through a global
mittances as a proportion of total GDP technology facilitation mechanism.
decreased by 0.3 percentage points, The Azerbaijan Digital Hub project
from 2.2% to 1.9% in 2019 . is being implemented with a view to
developing telecommunication infra-
17.4. Assist developing countries in structure in Azerbaijan in line with world
attaining long-term debt sustainability standards, eliminating dependence on
through coordinated policies aimed the Internet from other countries, build-
at fostering debt financing, debt relief ing a Digital Silk Way on the historic Silk
and debt restructuring, as appropriate, Road between Europe and Asia, mak-
and address the external debt of high- ing the country a major Internet provid-
ly indebted poor countries to reduce er in the region, an Internet sharing hub
debt distress. and exporter of digital services. The
17.4.1 Debt service as a proportion of project envisages the construction of
exports of goods and services. fiber-optic cable lines along the bottom
Compared to 2015, the debt service as of the Caspian Sea on the routes Azer-
a proportion of exports of goods and baijan-Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan-Turk-
services increased by 0.4 percentage menistan. For this purpose, agreements
points, from 3.4% to 3.8% in 2019. Over- have been signed with the Republic of
all, this indicator showed a fluctuating Turkmenistan and the Republic of Ka-
trend in 2015-2019. zakhstan respectively. A groundbreak-
ing ceremony was held in 2019 to begin
17.6. Enhance North-South, South-South construction of a 400-kilometre long
and triangular regional and interna- fiber-optic communication line along
tional cooperation on and access to the bottom of the Caspian Sea. The
science, technology and innovation and cable line for the Kazakhstan route will
enhance knowledge-sharing on mutu- allow data transmission with a speed of
ally agreed terms, including through at least 4-6 Tbit/s, and of 2-3 Tbit/s for
improved coordination among existing the Turkmenistan route.
mechanisms, in particular at the Unit-

Figure 43. Debt service as a proportion of exports of goods and services, %

7 6,3
6 5,2
5 4,4
3,8
4 3,4

3
2
1
0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

percent

Source: SSC

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Under the Hub project, and in accor- 17.8. Fully operationalize the technolo-
dance with the agreements signed gy bank and science, technology and
between AzerTelecom and Azerbaijan innovation capacity building mecha-
Railways CJSC, durable main fiber-optic nism for least developed countries by
cable lines are currently being installed 2017 and enhance the use of enabling
along the existing railway protection strip. technology, in particular information
The installation of these fiber-optic cable and communications technology.
lines along the railways will strengthen According to the Ministry of Transport,
the country’s digital infrastructure, pro- Communications and High Technolo-
viding a new sustainable infrastructure gies (MTCHT), one of the main goals
across the country and durable broad- of the 2014-2020 National Strategy for
band fiber-optic cable connections with the Development of Information Soci-
neighbouring countries, including Russia, ety in the Republic of Azerbaijan is to
Georgia, Turkey and Iran (North-South, provide the population with secure and
East-West); these infrastructures will high quality access to communication
intersect in Azerbaijan. services through the expansion of the
country’s communication and broad-
17.6.1 Fixed Internet broadband subscrip- band service infrastructure and mod-
tions per 100 inhabitants, by speed. ernization thereof on the basis of new
Compared to 2015, the number of fixed technologies. Furthermore, the follow-
broadband subscriptions per 100 in- ing activities have been carried out in
habitants increased by 3.3 percentage accordance with the 2016-2020 State
points to reach 8.8 percent in 2019. The Programme for the Implementation of
dynamics shows an ongoing increase the National Strategy for the Develop-
in the number of fixed broadband sub- ment of the Information Society and the
scriptions in the country. Specifically, the Strategic Roadmap for the Develop-
number of fixed broadband subscrip- ment of Telecommunications and Infor-
tions increased 16 times during 2010- mation Technologies:
2019 and amounted to 866,438 in 2019.

Figure 44. Fixed Internet broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

10
8,8
7,7
8
6,4
6 5,5 5,6

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

nəfər
Source: SSC

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- With view to expanding the cover- - With the aim of introducing sectoral
age of LTE, relevant draft regulations innovations, implementing projects,
have been prepared to make the modernizing infrastructure and im-
necessary amendments to existing proving the quality of services and
legislation in order to form legal developing the regions in this re-
grounds for the regulation of a trans- gard, the Ministry has invested 124.7
parent and efficient national frequen- million AZN in 2019-2020;
cy distribution. In addition, with the - As part of the continuing measures
purpose of achieving the goals set for development of broadband ser-
out in the Strategic Roadmap and vices and the expansion of the ap-
to use frequency channels in accor- plication geography thereof, the port
dance with international practice, capacity of the Internet network in
proposals have been prepared and Baku was increased by 151,685 num-
submitted for approval to the State bers and the number of subscribers
Commission on Radio Frequencies by 31,694 people by the end of 2019;
regarding the transfer of TV broad- and the Internet installation capacity
casting equipment operating on in the regions rose to 555,316 units
frequency channels intended for following an increase of 111,232 ports
the application of LTE technology to in 2020, while the number of sub-
low-frequency channels; scribers rose to 444,539 following an
- The following plans related to the increase of 66,880;
provision of high-speed Internet in - Work has continued to provide unin-
the country by the regulatory body terrupted and high-quality telecom-
have been approved by the relevant munications services through the
orders of the MTCHT and sent to the application of GPON (gigabit passive
relevant communications institutions optical network) technology, which
for implementation: “2019-2020 Ac- allows providing high-speed Internet
tion Plan for the provision of broad- to apartments in Baku;
band high-speed mobile telecom-
munications services in the territory - Besides GPON technology, the
of the country”, “Framework plan for project implementation continued in
the development of the telecommu- order to provide modern telecom-
nications sector in Azerbaijan”, “The munications services through LTE
three-year transition plan covering technology, which provides wireless
the measures to be taken in frames high-speed Internet service to citi-
of reforms in the field of telecommu- zens in the network of the capital;
nications, the action plan on these within this framework, 267 LTE eNB
measures and the establishment of devices were installed in Baku and
an independent regulatory body for surrounding areas, technical capacity
the implementation of regulatory was built to provide communication
functions in the telecommunications services to 20,000 subscribers, and
sector”; the number of subscribers reached
8,513;

124 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 PROGRESS IN
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- 23 modern EATSs with a total capac- In 2019, 69.8 percent accessed the In-
ity of 4,848 numbers were installed ternet in their houses (apartments), 2.7
in the service area of the telecom- percent in Internet clubs, 17.3 percent in
munication junctions of Agdash, workplaces, 7.1 percent in educational
Aghdam, Aghstafa, Tovuz, Bilasuvar, institutions, 0.6% in libraries, and 2.5
Gazakh, Gusar, Shirvan, Khachmaz, percent in other places. On average,
Mingachevir, Siyazan, Saatli, Zardab, the proportion of daily Internet users
Gakh, Gabala, Shamakhi, Shamkir in the total number of Internet users is
and Salyan regions; 82.0 percent.
- A project to build a DWDM/MPLS5
network on the regional telephone Currently, 39.9 percent of Internet users
network is being implemented. are young people under the age of 24,
25.8 percent are aged between 25 to
25, and 34.2 percent are aged between
17.8.1 Proportion of individuals using the 36 to 62. The proportion of users over
Internet. the age of 64 is 0.1 percent.
Compared to 2015, the proportion of
individuals using the Internet increased 17.9. Enhance international support for
by 4.1 percentage points, from 77.0 per- implementing effective and targeted
cent to 81.1 percent in 2019. In 2019, the capacity building in developing coun-
total number of population using the tries to support national plans to imple-
Internet was 8,112.8 thousand people, ment all the Sustainable Development
of which 52.2 percent were men, and Goals, including through North South,
47.8 percent were women. The highest South-South and triangular coopera-
level of the indicator was registered tion.
in Baku (91.7%), and the lowest level in 17.9.1 Dollar value of financial and
the Upper Karabakh economic region technical assistance (including through
(74.8%). The indicator was 85.9 percent North-South, South‑South and triangu-
in urban areas and 74.6 percent in rural lar cooperation) committed to develop-
areas in 2019. ing countries.
Figure 45. Proportion of individuals using the Internet, %
100

79,0 79,8 81,1

77,0 78,0
80

60

40

20

0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Source: SSC

5
DWDM- Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexers;
MPLS- Multiprotocol Label Switching.
125
 PROGRESS IN
5 THEMATIC GOALS

According to the Azerbaijan Interna- and Cultural Organization (ICESCO),

tional Development Agency, the total the United Nations Relief and Works
amount of aid provided by the Republic Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
of Azerbaijan in North-South (including Near East (UNRWA), and the Islamic
Western countries), South-South and tri- Development Bank, for doctors from
lateral cooperation in dollars increased Benin, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Chad,
by 70.4 percent, from 3,410,747 USD to Ivory Coast, Cameroon, the Comoros,
USD 5,813,408 in 2015-2019. Overall, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal
the total amount of assistance provid- and Togo.
ed by the Republic of Azerbaijan in the
framework of trilateral cooperation in Assistance was also provided in sup-
2015-2019 amounted to 13.9 million port of the Rohingya Muslims in Myan-
USD. mar, thereby strengthening Islamic soli-
darity, and humanitarian assistance was
Humanitarian aid sent to Australia to help address the
Assistance provided for humanitarian serious consequences of forest fires.
aid by the Republic of Azerbaijan in
2020 was mainly to support the fight Provision of technical/financial
against the COVID-19 pandemic. During assistance
the period under review, humanitarian, Earlier this year, financial assistance
financial and other technical assistance was provided to Lebanon to deal with
was provided to 33 countries on a bi- the aftermath of the strong explosion in
lateral and multilateral basis, with AIDA Beirut; aids were provided to address
either directly involved or acting as a the serious socioeconomic challenges
coordinator. posed by the Ebola epidemic in the
Additionally, an online workshop on Democratic Republic of Congo and in
combating the COVID-19 pandemic the region in response to the African
was jointly organized with the WHO, Union’s request; and our embassy in
the Islamic World Educational, Scientific Mexico provided assistance for dealing

Figure 46. Dollar value of financial and technical assistance (including through North-South, South‑South
and triangular cooperation) committed to developing countries

2019 5813408

2018 1085954

2017 1337208

2016 2265700

2015 3410747

0 1000000 2000000 3000000 4000000 5000000 6000000 7000000

USD

Source: SSC

126 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 PROGRESS IN
THEMATIC GOALS 5

with the consequences of the floods in study at higher education institutions in

the Mexican states of Chiapas and Ta- the Republic of Azerbaijan.
basco, and to the poor groups in Bogo- In 2020, online training was organized
ta, Colombia. Azerbaijan has donated to for diplomats from Benin, Burkina Faso,
the following organizations: United Na- Djibouti, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana,
tions Environment Programme (UNEP); Guinea and Madagascar as part of
Aarhus Convention on Environmental AIDA’s ADA University Foreign Policy
Matters; Helsinki Convention for the Programme.
Protection and Use of Transboundary
Watercourses and International Lakes; 17.11. Significantly increase the exports
Vienna Convention for the Protection of developing countries, in particular
of the Ozone Layer; European Conven- with a view to doubling the least devel-
tion on Transboundary Environmental oped countries’ share of global exports
Impact Assessment; Anti-Corruption by 2020.
Network for Eastern Europe and Central 17.11.1 Azerbaijan’s share of global ex-
Asia (for securing stable operation of ports.
the network); the Organization for Eco-
nomic Co-operation and Development; Compared to 2015, the Azerbaijan’s
the UN High Commissioner for Human share of global exports in 2019 in-
Rights; the Trust Fund for the Office of creased by 0.02 percentage points,
the President of the 75th Session of the from 0.08% to 0.10%.
UN General Assembly; the Internation-
al Committee of the Red Cross; Global In 2019, the volume of exports
Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and amounted to USD19.6 billion, which
Malaria. is USD146,134.6 thousand more than
in 2018. In the commodity structure of
In the area of Education exports,minerals accounted for 90.9%;
With regard to assistance for educa- crop products - 3.2%; base metals and
tion, in December, 2017 and 10 January, articles thereof - 1.2%; precious stones
2018, scholarships were awarded to and metals and articles thereof - 0.9%;
40 students from the Member States plastic mass, caoutchouc, rubber and
of Organization of Islamic Coopera- articles thereof - 0.9%, and other com-
tion and the Non-Aligned Movement modities 2.9%. 60.2% of the export
(Bangladesh, Djibouti, Chad, Ethiopia, volume went to Europe, 38.3% to Asia,
Afghanistan, Algeria, Palestine, Phil- 0.9% to the United States 0.4% to Afri-
ippines, Indonesia, Jordan, Gambia, ca, and 0.2% to Oceania.
Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia,
Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauri- 17.18. By 2020, enhance capacity-build-
tania, Morocco, Central African Repub- ing support to developing countries,
lic, Myanmar, Niger, Uzbekistan, Peru, including for least developed countries
Saint Kitts and Nevis, Somalia, Sudan, and small island developing States, to
Suriname, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tanza- increase significantly the availability of
nia, Yemen, Zambia) to enable them to high-quality, timely and reliable data

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 127

 PROGRESS IN
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Figure 47. Azerbaijan’s share of global exports, %

0,10 0,10
0,1 0,09
0,08 0,08

0,0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

faiz
Source: SSC

disaggregated by income, gender, age, cial statistical data on the social, eco-
race, ethnicity, migratory status, dis- nomic, demographic and environmental
ability, geographic location and other situation in the country, organizes its
characteristics relevant in national activities in accordance with the Statis-
contexts. tical Works Programme, approved by
17.18.2 Availability of national statistical the Cabinet of Ministers. The activies
legislation complying with Fundamental are also coordinated with the method-
Principles of Official Statistics.6 ological and work plans of data users,
the quarterly work plans on economic
The national legislation on official sta- analysis and the State Programme on
tistics consists of the Constitution of the the development of official statistics in
Republic of Azerbaijan, other legislative the Republic of Azerbaijan.
acts of the Republic of Azerbaijan and
international agreements to which the The sixth State Program on the de-
Republic of Azerbaijan is a party. The velopment of official statistics in the
Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Republic of Azerbaijan in 2018-2025
Official Statistics (Law No. 789, dated 18 was approved by Decree no. 3672 of
February 1994) reflects the Fundamen- 14 February 2018. The main goal of
tal Principles of Official Statistics and the State Program is to develop official
regulates legal relations in the field of statistics through the implementation of
official statistics and defines the powers comprehensive measures to improve
and functions of state statistical bodies. the statistical work in accordance with
the ongoing socio-economic processes
17.18.3 Availability of a national statisti- and modern challenges in the country
cal plan that is fully funded and under and internationally. These measures
implementation. include: organizing statistical observa-
The State Statistical Committee of the tions and developing methodologies
Republic of Azerbaijan, which imple- in social, economic and other areas,
ments state policy and regulations in metadata and classifications; legal,
the field of statistics and compiles offi- administrative and information support

6
In the UN Global Indicator Framework, indicator 17.18.2 is defined as “Number of countries that have national statistical legislation that complies with
128 the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics”. Application of the indicator at the national level implies the existence of relevant legislation in the field
of statistics.
 PROGRESS IN
THEMATIC GOALS 5

to generation of official statistical mate- The last population census in Azerbai-

rials; increasing user satisfaction; inter- jan was held in October 2019 in ac-
national cooperation; strengthening ma- cordance with the 7 September 2016
terial and technical base and personnel Decree No. 1040 of the President of the
capacity. Republic of Azerbaijan on “Conduct of
a population census in the Republic of
17.19 By 2030, build on existing ini- Azerbaijan in 2019”.
tiatives to develop measurements of
progress on sustainable development In accordance with the Resolution of
that complement gross domestic the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic
product, and support statistical capaci- of Azerbaijan No. 517 of 16 December,
ty-building in developing countries. 2016 “On the action plan for the prepa-
17.19.1 The value of all resources allot- ration and conduct of the population
ted for capacity building in the field of census in the Republic of Azerbaijan in
statistics in USD. 2019”, and the “Calendar plan for the
preparation and conduct of the popula-
In 2019, 4 million USD was allocated for tion census in the Republic of Azerbai-
capacity building in the field of statis- jan in 2019” approved by the Order of
tics, which is 68.8% more than in 2015. the State Statistical Committee of the
Overall, 14.1 million USD was allocated Republic of Azerbaijan No.01/05s of 17
for capacity building in the field of sta- December, 2017, all the necessary mea-
tistics in 2015-2019. sures were taken by the State Statistical
Committee and other relevant govern-
17.19.2. Proportion of countries that (a) ment agencies in connection with the
have conducted at least one popula- organizational work, preparation and
tion and housing census in the last 10 publication of census materials, staff-
years; and (b) have achieved 100% birth ing, organization of public awareness
registration and 80% death registration work, technical support issues, devel-

Figure 48. The value of all resources allotted for capacity building in the field of statistics in USD

2019 4024888

2018 3466854

2017 2946051

2016 1254798

2015 2385026

0 1000000 2000000 3000000 4000000 5000000

ABŞ dolları
Source: SSC

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 129

 PROGRESS IN
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oping the procedures for conducting on 23 September, 2020, connects local

the census and ensuring the receipt of executive authorities and consulates
documents. of the Republic of Azerbaijan located
overseas to the State Registry of Popu-
Close cooperation was maintained with lation, and birth and death certificates
international organisations accredit- are issued electronically.
ed in Azerbaijan, including UNFPA,
UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, ILO and IOM, Moreover, to increase the efficiency
with regard to the development of in determining the natural population
methodological materials for the cen- growth, death registration is carried out
sus and the organization of awareness automatically on the basis of informa-
campaigns. Census documentation and tion on deaths transmitted by health
questionnaires were developed in ac- authorities to the information system of
cordance with the Conference of Euro- the Ministry of Justice, without waiting
pean Statisticians Recommendations for for a citizen’s request.
the 2020 Censuses of Population and
Housing, the obligations under “Trans- Since 2019, 100% of both births and
forming our World: the 2030 Agenda deaths have been registered. The
for Sustainable Development”, and the number of births in 2019 was 141,179,
relevant decision of the 57th meeting of of which 68,665 (48.6%) were in ur-
the Council of Heads of Statistical Ser- ban areas and 72,514 (51.4%) in rural
vices of the CIS member states, chaired areas; 53.2% of the babies born were
by Azerbaijan on 31 May, 2017. male (75,160) and 46.8% were female
(66,029). The number of deaths was
With regard to birth and death regis- 55,916, of which 30,517 (54.6%) were
tration, the Decree “On expanding the in urban areas and 25,399 (45.4%)
use of electronic services in the field of in rural areas; of these 53.5% were
civil registration by state” signed by the men (29,926) and 46.5% were women
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (25,990).

130 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

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Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 131

 CONCLUSION AND
WAY FORWARD

T
Conclusion implementation of SDG-related activ-
ities was promoted. Particular atten-
he Third Voluntary National tion was paid to raising awareness at
Review of Azerbaijan under- all levels, regulating environmental
lines the importance of the issues, and enhancing private sec-
country’s obligations under- tor’s access to funding for SDGs;
taken in connection with the - Special attention was paid to the
SDGs and the timely and adequate im- implementation of awareness-raising
plementation of these obligations in line activities at all levels and the orga-
with the principle of “leaving no one nization of dialogues with various
behind”. Ensuring inclusive and sus- layers of society (Parliament, civil
tainable economic growth, building a society, academia and etc.) at the
peaceful and inclusive society for all is national and regional levels;
one of the key priorities of the Govern-
ment of Azerbaijan, and the country has - Efforts to further accelerate the de-
manifestly demonstrated its commit- velopment and diversification of the
ment to a transition to sustainable de- non-oil sector, strengthen innovation
velopment and the alignment of State activity and export capacity, increase
programmes and strategies with the the effectiveness of social services
SDGs. Azerbaijan’s continued commit- and the green economy were further
ment is substantiated by the February strengthened during the reporting
2021 approval of the “Azerbaijan 2030: period;
National Priorities for Socio-Economic - Responsive measures have been
Development”. taken to address the socio-econom-
ic challenges posed by COVID-19
As presented in the report, Azerbaijan by building an effective institutional
has made efforts to comply with the system and infrastructure, while also
following requirements and recommen- working closely with WHO;
dations in achieving the SDGs:
- The active involvement of the private For the next stage, Azerbaijan expresses
sector and public institutions in the its intent to further strengthen the results

132 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 CONCLUSION AND
WAY FORWARD 5

achieved to date. In order to achieve Achievement of peace in the region

SDGs by 2030, the Government of Azer- will make a positive contribution to the
baijan also looks forward to the support implementation of the SDGs, especially
of international partners in realization SDG 16.
of planned activities in the above-men-
tioned areas through direct SDG financ-
ing mechanism, by sharing international
Way forward
Azerbaijan sees the implementation
best practices, building an effective part-
of the SDGs as an opportunity to en-
nership, overcoming existing challenges,
sure integration and development, and
as well as creating platforms of special
seeks to adapt policies, strategies and
importance for our country.
programs implemented at the national
and regional levels to the SDGs. The
The end of the conflict between Ar-
key here is to ensure the effectiveness
menia and Azerbaijan creates new
and efficiency of policies and measures
economic opportunities not only for
under implementation.
Azerbaijan, but also for the region as a
whole. In this respect, the rehabilitation,
Preparation of the Strategic Docu-
reconstruction and reintegration of its
ment on the implementation of the
liberated and conflict-affected areas
SDGs. As a continuation of “Azerbai-
will constitute the key dimension of the
jan 2020: Outlook into future” De-
development strategy of the Republic
velopment Concept and with a view
of Azerbaijan in the coming years. A
to ensuring implementation of the
draft Concept and State Program on the
obligations arising from UN’s “Trans-
rehabilitation of our liberated territories
forming our World: the 2030 Agenda
has been prepared. The policy of reha-
for Sustainable Development”, the
bilitation of the liberated territories and
“Azerbaijan 2030: National priorities
ensuring of sustainable and balanced
for socio-economic development”, ap-
development of the regions in our
proved by the President of the coun-
country is envisaged in the following
try on February 2, 2021, is planned to
priority areas:
be realized in five key directions: i) A
- reconstruction and re-integration steadily growing competitive econo-
of the territories; my; ii) a dynamic and inclusive society
- attraction of private investment; based on social justice; iii) compet-
itive human capital and a space for
- the demand for local production modern innovations; iv) Great return
triggered by the rehabilitation pro- to the liberated territories; v) clean
cess and economic growth; environment and a country of ‘green
- efficient use of natural resources growth’ It is planned to prepare and
and environmental safety; approve a detailed analysis docu-
ment and action plan for 2021.
- sustainable and balanced devel-
opment.

Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan 133

 CONCLUSION AND
5 WAY FORWARD

With a view to further improving the - Strengthening the use of alterna-

country’s achievements in terms of tive energy sources and protect-
the SDGs and increasing sustainabil- ing biodiversity. Ensure govern-
ity, the following activities are envis- ment agencies take measures to
aged: reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Driven by COVID-19 challenges, in order to fulfill the obligations
strengthening health care system arising from the Paris Agreement
and enlarging the coverage of on Climate Change;
vaccination process. Meanwhile, - Ensure sustainable development
recovering the economic activity through the rehabilitation, re-
by gradual elimination of manda- construction and reintegration
tory lockdowns; of the liberated territories, con-
- Accelerate economic diversifi- sideration of the SDGs and other
cation and ensure dynamic de- international challenges, resourc-
velopment of the non-oil sector es and perspectives;
contributing to the implementa- - Improve data collection and
tion of SDG. This will be through analysis on sustainable devel-
clustering, the formation of a opment, including stengthening
favorable business environment, capacity for analysis and generat-
development of a national innova- ing detailed disaggregated data
tion system, and the formation of a on gender, ethnicity, age groups,
favorable institutional framework; habitats and regions/administra-
- Develop competitive human cap- tive districts;
ital through expand the scope of - Establish of SDG Financing
active labor market programs, in- Mechanism with the engagement
creasing investment in education of private sectors and government
and ensuring full accessibility to institutions to achieve the select-
the compulsory health insurance ed targets of SDGs.
system;

134 Third Voluntary National Review of the Republic of Azerbaijan