UNITAR and the Republic of Azerbaijan Explore New Training Opportunities
15 May 2018, Geneva, Switzerland – A delegation from Azerbaijan visited the headquarter of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Geneva to discuss, inter alia, the creation of a new International Training Center for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) in Baku, Azerbaijan, focused on issues of sustainable development. The delegation consisted of H.E. Ms. Sevinj Hasanova, Deputy Minister for Economy of Azerbaijan, H. E. Mr. Vaqif Sadiqov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, and Mr. Javid Sadikhov, Attaché, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva.
In a time when governments and societies face an increasing number of challenges, UNITAR’s CIFAL Global Network fulfills a crucial need for capacity development on practical issues towards the improvement of the quality of life of citizens. The meeting was a welcomed opportunity to exchange ideas and expectations for the potential new addition to the CIFAL Network. Moreover, representatives from UNITAR provided details on the management of a center and laid out the process to create a new one.
Participants discussed to host the new CIFAL center at the Ministry of Economy in Baku. It also hosts the Secretariat for the National Coordination Council on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Council focuses on the definition of respective national priorities till 2030. Its objective is to develop national priorities in accordance with global targets, ensure the compliance of state programs and strategies covering the socio-economic spheres with the SDGs. Therefore, establishing the CIFAL center focused on the SDGs at the Ministry of Economy, would create additional benefits through leveraging new synergies.
UNITAR is delighted to pursue these future partnerships with the Republic of Azerbaijan and to increase its outreach in the Caucasus region and beyond.
Photo: From left to right: Mr. Javid Sadikhov, Attaché, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Mr. Nikhil Seth, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNITAR, Ms. Sevinj Hasanova, Deputy Minister for Economy of Azerbaijan, Mr. Alex Mejia, Programme Director, UNITAR, and Mr. Vaqif Sadiqov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.