OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Dear conference participants!

I sincerely welcome you to the international scientific-practical conference “Sustainable development. Accountability. Transparency” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

Thanks to Heydar Aliyev's tireless efforts and unwavering determination to build a democratic and law-governed state, a transparent financial and audit system was established in Azerbaijan. This year, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth, we are witnessing a vibrant and strong economy the foundation of which was laid by the Great Leader.

The National Leader, who saw the only way of reviving the country's economy, which was on the bring a collapse in the early years of independence, in a transition to a market economy and integration into the world economy, initiated large-scale reforms. Under his leadership, the fundamental measures taken in the field of improving corporate governance and encouraging an environment of free competition brought the development of free entrepreneurship to the fore. At the same time, Heydar Aliyev's far-sighted policy, great statesmanship experience and strategic vision ensured the economic development of the country, laid the groundwork of a multi-vector economic policy and earned Azerbaijan the status of a reliable partner in the world.

The importance of a transition to international audit and accounting standards in the field of increasing transparency and strengthening financial control in Azerbaijan is particularly noteworthy. Taking into account the economic challenges of the new era, the implemented comprehensive measures have created conditions for the improvement of the financial and accounting system in the country in line with international requirements and for enhancing the possibilities of economic integration into the world economic system.

Transparency should also be valued as the basis of efficient and goal-oriented use of resources and as the primary factor of accountability and provision of objective and quality information. The effective and flexible response to the global challenges of our time, as well as the construction and restoration work in the territories freed from occupation, which are the top priority issues for Azerbaijan at the present time, require further strengthening of the reforms in the country’s financial sector and mobilization of financial opportunities. In order to preserve the financial resources of the state and use them in a goal-oriented manner, economically and efficiently, it is important to invigorate discipline in this area, increase transparency and improve state control mechanism. It is also necessary to highlight the importance of state control and independent audit system adapted to the requirements of the new era, as well as the importance of public control as an important form of non-state control, as factors determining the sustainable development of our national economy.

Dear conference participants!

Today's conference is a wonderful opportunity for discussing challenges and opportunities on the global agenda related to sustainable development, accountability and transparency, and exchange the best practices in this field. I do believe that this event will be useful in terms of identifying opportunities for further improvement of an environment of accountability and transparency and will contribute to the improvement of the well-being of our countries.

Once again, I wish you all the best and the conference every success.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 15 September 2023