Country to cooperate with UNDP on energy sector reforms
By Leman Mammadova
By holding high level cooperation with UNDP (United Nations Development Program), Azerbaijan will further strengthen ties with the organization in energy sector.
Samir Valiyev, Deputy Energy Minister, has held a meeting with delegation led by Yuliya Sherbinina, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative.
The meeting focused on cooperation opportunities with UNDP in the direction of implementation of the measures defined by the decree "On acceleration of reforms in the energy sector of Azerbaijan".
Valiyev said that the ministry was instructed to prepare proposals on reforms in all directions in the energy sector taking into account the best international practices.
“With the support of the UNDP, we can cooperate on potential areas and contribute to the energy reform process through joint efforts,” he noted.
Sherbinina, in turn, informed on projects in renewable energy, energy efficiency, as well as the projects to provide access to sustainable and reliable energy.
In her words, the organization is interested in cooperation with the Energy Ministry on these directions and in provision of necessary technical support for the preparation of relevant draft laws and reform proposals.
Then, presentations were made on the reforms in the country’s energy sector and on the regional and global projects implemented by UNDP in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Based on the analysis of potential opportunities, it was agreed to define areas of cooperation as soon as possible.
It should be noted that since 1992, UNDP has spent over $190 million in development projects in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan’s relations with the UN are at a high level. The country has joined many UN initiatives and programs, and important documents have been signed.
The UN Development Agenda up to 2030 is strategically important to fully integrate into the development agenda of the goals, targets and indicators identified as a priority for Azerbaijan.
Last year, $4,998,519 were spent on joint projects implemented by Azerbaijan and the UN. The funds were spent as part of one of strategic priority areas under the UN-Azerbaijan Partnership Framework for the period 2016-2020. In addition, a total of $71.9 million will be allocated within this framework document, which covers several strategic areas. To this day, $68.2 million have been spent, that is, 95 percent of the funds.
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Leman Mammadova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888
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