UNDP to expand activity in Karabakh Resident rep says

Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Azerbaijan Alessandra Roccasalvo has said that the UNDP is set to broaden its activity in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, concentrating on economic training, support for self-employment, and the development of small and medium-sized businesses.

“UNDP is currently working closely with the Azerbaijani State Committee for Affairs of Refugees and Internally Displaced People,” she told Report, Caliber.Az informs. 

"We are already heavily involved in demining activities, mine awareness training, and providing aid to affected individuals. Looking ahead, we aim to enhance our focus on economic education, self-employment, and the development of small and medium enterprises," Roccasalvo stated.

She also highlighted that she has visited the region multiple times and is impressed with the progress of the reconstruction efforts. 

"I have been to Karabakh several times, so this is not my first visit. Each region has its own unique characteristics and opportunities. I am particularly pleased to see mountainous Kalbajar. The reconstruction work, the newly built hydroelectric power station, and the residential complex left a strong impression on me. I hope that in the coming years, more people will return and contribute to the economic recovery of Karabakh," she added.

UNDP has been working in Azerbaijan for close to three decades. It opened its office in the country in the fall of 1992 soon after Azerbaijan gained independence and joined the United Nations. The UNDP activities in Azerbaijan initially focused on the provision of early recovery programme, especially to those affected by Karabakh conflict. 

Over time, UNDP’s role in Azerbaijan has shifted toward longer-term socio-economic development in line with the country’s evolving needs. In Azerbaijan, UNDP brings the best development models of the world in order to maximize the use of “black gold” derived from the oil wealth, to strengthen its “human gold”, to enlarge people’s choices and reduce inequalities.  The main programming framework for all UN activities in Azerbaijan is the UN-Azerbaijan Partnership Framework (UNAPF) signed between UN and the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy in 2016.

The UNAPF is the United Nations’ strategic response to development needs in Azerbaijan as enshrined in the Vision 2020 and the 2030 agenda. The Framework is effective from 2016 through 2020. UNDP’s work focuses on poverty reduction, good governance and peace-building, climate change and disaster management, as well as economic development. UNDP provides support to governments to integrate the SDGs into their national development plans and policies. This work is already underway, as we support many countries in accelerating progress already achieved under the Millennium Development Goals.

By Naila Huseynova