Azerbaijan's co-op with UNDP excellent example for states in region - official

Source: AzerNews

Azerbaijan's success in the field of poverty reduction is remarkable and the government's cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is an excellent example for the region's states.

UNDP Deputy Regional Director Haoling Xu made the remark at the Partnership and Resource Mobilization Workshop organized by the UNDP Regional Bureau in Europe and CIS (RBEC) organized in Azerbaijan on July 8-10.

"Providing financial support, Azerbaijan proves that it is a good partner of UNDP. The Government of Azerbaijan has significantly increased its role in the life of UNDP. We can surely say that Azerbaijan is ready for UNDP's new vision and strategy. So, it is the reason that we decided/ to host this workshop in Baku," Haoling Xu said addressing the event.

Welcoming all participants, Deputy Foreign Minister on economic and humanitarian affairs Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev mentioned that Azerbaijan is willing to contribute to South - South cooperation and had already shifted from a recipient country status to a donor country status in UNDP system and the implementation of "Azerbaijan - 2020: the vision to the future" will mark a new development stage for Azerbaijan.

Mammad-Guliyev said that Azerbaijan would cooperate with United Nations and its specialized agencies, especially in the field of agriculture, ICT, tourism, education, health and governance.

The workshop was aimed to prepare a financial sustainability and effectiveness plan for UNDP to ensure that Country Offices are well equipped to operate effectively and efficiently to improve the lives of the people.

The workshop also discussed how UNDP turns its universally accepted relevance and recognized leadership in key areas of development into stronger focus as well as results.

With the launch of the new strategy UNDP will enhance its cooperation with the governments as a reliable and trusted partner, rather than a donor fostering broader collaboration. This workshop brought together UNDP staff from almost UNDP offices in Eastern Europe and CIS.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP provides expert advice, training, and grant support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. To accomplish the MDGs and encourage global development, UNDP focuses on poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS, democratic governance, energy and environment, social development, and crisis prevention and recovery. UNDP also encourages the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women in all of its programs.