Baku, December 8, AZERTAC

The opening ceremony of the training center for civil servants has today been held at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Training Center was established under the joint project funded by EU and implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Academy of Public Administration.

The newly opened Center is expected to set internal procedures and training modules that abide by European standards. The thematic work plan to build capacity of the trainers will be identified by the Academy and will be implemented by the Training Center. The Center consists of Resource Center, Computer and Database Rooms and a Training Hall. Overall, the establishment of Training Center will build internal training capacity of the Academy of Public Administration and will serve as a tool to increase the level of professionalism of civil servants from different state bodies.

The Rector of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, academician Urkhan Alakbarov, gave detailed information about Azerbaijan's achievements in the area of sustainable development. The speaker underlined that the successes of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the establishment of the constantly developing society were linked to the formation and mobilization of human capacity. Academician Urkhan Alakbarov particularly highlighted the importance of the state and its institutions, especially the role of the professional civil service system in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, the rector spoke confidently about the scope and effectiveness of the Training Center established under the joint project.

Stressing the partnership history between UNDP and the Academy, Mr. Ghulam M. Isaczai, UNDP Resident Representative highlighted the importance of the Training Center in improving professional development of civil servants that will eventually assist the Government to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“It is not a secret that the training of civil servants in Azerbaijan can also benefit other countries of the regions that are keen on improving their civil service system. In this sense, supporting the Academy on strengthening civil service training in the country in line with European standards is very important action to support the powerful civil service system established in Azerbaijan.”

The Head of the European Union Delegation Ambassador Malena Mard underlined that the EU assists the process of improving capacity building of public administration in Azerbaijan since its independence. "The programmes and projects of the European Union are dialogue driven and fully support the governmental programmes targeting modernization and developing Azerbaijan," she said.

With a view to contribute to the further development of a professional and sustainable civil service system in Azerbaijan in accordance with the best European practices the EU has awarded 4 grant projects, one of these grants is the project being implemented by UNDP.

The Project on “Support to Civil Service Training in the Republic of Azerbaijan” aims to strengthen the management and coordination of civil servants training and professional development function across state bodies and leading to the development and implementation of training strategy and training policies. The project also focuses on supporting the Academy of Public Administration on strengthening the institutional capacities to lead and coordinate the civil servant trainings and to provide the methodological assistance to state bodies and other training centers.