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Azerbaijan 1998 Annual Report
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Baku, Azerbaijan
18 February, 1999 |
Azerbaijan 1998 Annual Report of the
United Nations Resident Coordinator
Part One
1.1Implications of recent political
and socio-economic trends for United Nations system development assistance
During these difficult transitional years, United
Nations agencies and organisations in Azerbaijan have provided
technical support and assistance at all strata of the national
society: from direct humanitarian intervention to families displaced
from the war-torn Nagorno-Karabakh regions, to the establishment of
frameworks within which environmental rehabilitation projects may be
undertaken, to poverty alleviation initiatives aimed at strengthening
economic opportunities in underdeveloped regions. This annual report
will provide a concise picture of how the United Nations, under the
leadership of the Resident Coordinator, addresses or attempts to
address the issues facing the Resident Representatives, the National
Government and the people of Azerbaijan.
The Contemporary Environment
Presidential elections held on 12 October 1998
resulted in victory for incumbent President Heydar Aliev, with 76%
voter support. Although the OSCE report on the election included
criticism, by and large the procedure was considered to be an
improvement over the previous one. Due to the election law (and in
particular the percentage of membership of the election committee to
be allocated to the opposition), the elections were boycotted by most
opposition candidates. The majority of the Government has now been
re-established, with most incumbents - including the Prime Minister,
all Vice Prime Ministers, and most Ministers - being reconfirmed. The
only major change which has implications for UN Agencies was the
replacement of the Vice Prime Minister in charge of Humanitarian
Affairs, Izzet Rustamov, by the former Minister for Environment, Ali
Hassanov. This change was welcomed by most. Following the elections
the opposition, having formed an alliance, has continued to challenge
the results through the mass media and through street demonstrations.
Such demonstrations are not always authorised by authorities; thus,
they occasionally turn violent.
The conflict with Armenia over occupation of the
Nagorno-Karabakh region (20% of the entire Azerbaijan territory) is
now in its ninth year. Attempts to reach a peaceful resolution since
the May, 1994 cease-fire have made limited, if any, progress toward
settlement of the key issues. A recent OSCE proposal for settlement
has been rejected by the Azeri Government as unacceptable. This
raises fundamental issues over the status of the 845,000 internally
displaced persons (IDPs) from the occupied territories and refugees
from Armenia, many of whom are living in camps or rail wagons under
inhuman conditions and making a slow transition to some form of
income generation and greater self-sufficiency. The lack of a
solution to this problem within the near future will threaten the
current political stability; this is a vulnerability of the current
government on which both internal and external opposition forces play constantly.
Although the Azeri manat maintained its value in 1998,
this came at the expense of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of
National Bank interventions on the currency market, and the loss of a
substantial part of the cash reserves of the country. Two external
shocks - the sharp fall in oil prices and the financial crisis in
Russia - combined to worsen the fiscal and balance of payments
positions of the country. The trade deficit grew dramatically in
1998: from USD $13 million to a post-independence record USD$ 641
million - a figure almost double the previous record-high. ( ) The
continuing decline in most domestic production sectors (in
combination with a prolonged slump in oil prices) is the primary
explanation for the dramatic trade deficit increase.
The annual inflation rate fell to under 4% in 1997
(from its peak of nearly 1,700% in 1994). Following the initial
extraordinary contraction of the Azerbaijani economy following
independence - national GDP collapsed by as much as 67% between 1990
and 1996 -real GDP grew at the rate of 5.8% in 1997. ( ) Azerbaijan's
economy continued to grow strongly in the first three quarters of
1998, with real GDP 8.5% higher than a year earlier. ( ) Although
progress in structural reforms has been mixed - especially in the
areas of bank restructuring and the development of an appropriate
framework for law enforcement - there has been a gradual shift in the
structure of the economy, from predominantly state-controlled to
market controlled. The share of GDP arising from production in the
private sector rose from 32% in 1995 to 46% in 1997. The private
sector absorbed about 56% of employed persons in 1996. Per capita
income was US$ 506 for 1997, an increase of 57% from 1995. ( )
In the energy sector, 11.7 million tonnes of crude oil
were produced in 1998, a 30.3% increase from the previous year. ( )
However, the full benefits of petroleum revenues will not be realised
by the great majority of the population for 5 to 8 years. The
Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC), the first and
largest of the foreign oil consortiums, has produced and exported
nearly 2.5 millions tonnes of crude oil at its first offshore field
since production began in autumn, 1997. Output from the Azerbaijan
State Oil Company (SOCAR) declined in 1998 to 9 million tonnes of
crude oil produced. Less than a million tonnes of SOCAR's production
was exported (via the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.) The
year saw a continuation of low oil prices on the world market, with
the per barrel price declining from approximately $13 in January to
below $10 in November. The persistently weak market, combined with
less favourable than expected results from some recent exploration
activities, appear to be leading to cuts in planned investment in the
oil sector. A notable effect of the depressed prices has been the
repeated delays in announcing whether the proposed Baku - Ceyhan
pipeline will be constructed. Although the American government has
lobbied strongly in support of the proposed pipeline, both the oil
industry and the Government of Azerbaijan remain reluctant to commit
due to growing concerns that the project may not be economically
viable. Despite the price decline, new oil consortia were formed in
1998, with only one (CIPCO) dissolved after exploration of its
concession area failed to prove substantial oil reserves.
Acting within this highly charged and complex
environment, UN organisations have helped the Government of
Azerbaijan maintain social cohesion and political stability through
their broad array of assistance programmes. A Country Assistance
Strategy (CAS), developed by The World Bank, IMF and UNDP, has
assisted the Government by providing support for meeting Azerbaijan's
immediate needs. The CAS supports the Government's efforts to design
and implement policies and programmes conducive to the use of
Azerbaijan's oil potential to achieve sustainable economic growth and
poverty reduction.
1.2Overview of Development Assistance
to Azerbaijan
A. Summary Table of Total Development
Assistance in 1998. ( )
|
Source of aid |
US Dollars |
Percentage |
|
Multilateral
Breakdown:
UN System (excluding World Bank/ IMF)
World Bank
IMF
Non-UN systems
|
$ 15,959,500
$ 21,950,000
$ 43,400,000
$ 6,920,000
|
14.9%
20.5%
40.5%
6.4%
|
|
Bilateral |
$ 19,010,000 |
17.7% |
|
Sub-total ODA |
$107,239,500 |
100% |
|
NGOs |
Not available |
- |
|
Total development assistance |
$107,239,500 |
100% |
B. Official Development Assistance by Type in 1998.
|
ODA by Type |
US Dollars |
Percentage |
|
Investment Project Assistance |
$ 64,950,000 |
61% |
|
Technical cooperation |
$ 27,001,000 |
25% |
|
Programme/budgetary aid or
Balance-of-payments support |
$ - |
- |
|
Food Aid |
$ - |
- |
|
Emergency, relief and humanitarian assistance |
$ 15,288,500 |
14% |
|
Total |
$107,239,500 |
100% |
C. UN system Official Development Assistance
in 1998.
|
Funds, Programmes and Agencies |
US Dollars |
|
UNDP |
$ 4,000,000 |
|
UNFPA |
$ 800,000 |
|
UNHCR |
$ 4,400,000 |
|
UNICEF |
$ 1,712,000 |
|
IMF |
$43,400,000 |
|
WFP |
$ 5,000,000 |
|
UNOCHA |
$ 47,500 |
|
World Bank |
$21,950,000 |
|
Total |
$81,309,500 |
1.3Highlights of United Nations Assistance in
support of National Development Objectives and Priorities
A broad-based set of UN projects take different and
complementary approaches to the challenge of achieving Azerbaijan's
development objectives. Activities undertaken by UN agencies and
organisations in Azerbaijan thus range from emergency assistance with
food, shelter, and health care to development support in areas such
as education, governance, and income generation. For the purpose of
this report, UN activities in Azerbaijan have been classified under
five broad headings: Economic Growth, Social Protection, Health and
Education, Civil Society, and Environment.
Economic Growth:
Human development is possible only when people are
able to maintain a decent standard of living, but conflict and
economic difficulties have left many in Azerbaijan unable to meet
even their most basic needs. Alleviating poverty through sustainable
income generation is the central objective of a number of UN
projects, many of which focus particularly on the needs of IDPs and refugees.
Micro-Credit: IOM is executing a UNDP-funded community
development/ micro-credit project in the Nakhchivan Autonomous
Republic. Major goals are to reduce poverty by enhancing the economic
status of area families; to prevent migration by creating employment
opportunities; to develop local management capacities; and to improve
access to safe drinking water.
Open Doors to Nakhchivan: UNDP organised a visit of
diplomats and businessmen to Nakhchivan in September 1998, with the
aim of attracting investment to the region.
Capacity Building of Government Agencies: The World
Bank is assisting the Government with privatisation, enterprise,
legal, regulatory and budgetary reforms; with broadening the tax
base; and with financial sector development.
Loans for Economic Reform: The IMF is supporting
economic reform with resources from its Extended Fund Facility (total
amount: 58.50 million, SDR 40.94 million drawn thus far) and the
Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (93.60 million, SDR 70.20
million drawn thus far). Total lending in the 1998 programme year was
SDR 46.78 million. Structural reforms under IMF agreements have
included liberalisation of the foreign trade regime and of foreign
exchange markets, legal reforms and restructuring of state-owned banks.
Petroleum Technical Assistance: The World Bank is
financing advisory services to assist Azerbaijan in developing oil
reserves in co-operation with foreign companies and to develop a
framework for foreign investment in petroleum exploration.
Structural Adjustment Credit (SAC): The World Bank has
provided the Government with one SAC, and is preparing a second. The
SAC supports economic recovery while helping to introduce greater
competition and flexibility to the economy by further developing the
private sector, especially the non-oil sectors.
Technical Assistance: The IMF assists with banking
regulation and restructuring; in payments system reform; in drafting
a new tax code; and in development/ strengthening of the Treasury.
Individual and Small Business Loans: A UNHCR project
will provide start-up loans and business training. UNHCR also
provides training and start-up loans for Women's Centre Co-operatives
to improve the economic conditions of IDP women in settlements.
Farm Privatisation: The World Bank has six pilot farm
privatisation projects underway to accelerate land registration and state/collective
farm restructuring through provision of farm credits, rehabilitation
of irrigation supplies and support for the establishment of business
centres. As of 15 November, 185 loans to private farmers had been sanctioned.
Youth Azeri Parcel Service (YAPS): UNICEF has
initiated a non-profit, income-generating mail delivery service,
managed and operated by disadvantaged youth.
Social Protection:
Azerbaijan experienced two natural disasters in 1998 -
an earthquake and a severe flood - both of which presented urgent
needs for assistance. The UN also continues to provide development
assistance in response to the exceptional difficulties Azerbaijan has
experienced in recent years as a result of the conflict in and around Nagorno-Karabakh.
Shelter Rehabilitation: UNHCR is coordinating
resettlement efforts among the donors. An appeal for funding was
issued in May 1998 to cover the first phase of the 2 year Programme
for Shelter Rehabilitation for Displaced Populations Returning to War
Damaged Areas. Resettlement of displaced families who can return
safely to their villages of origin will be facilitated through the
local provision of housing.
De-mining: A UNDP-initiated programme includes
surveys, victim support, and public awareness campaigns in addition
to de-mining operations. UNDP will help establish a mine clearing
agency and assist it in developing independent capacities.
Summer Camp: UNHCR and UNDP share organisational costs
of a summer camp for IDP children. The camp will improve their
psychological well-being and cultural awareness.
Asylum System: UNHCR is assisting the Government to
establish an asylum system consistent with international legal
principles by promoting appropriate domestic legal instruments,
including new laws on asylum and on NGOs.
Food Assistance: In 1998, WFP distributed some 13,000
tonnes of food aid to IDPs, refugees and vulnerable groups (a total
caseload of 200,000, located in 40 districts throughout the country).
Surveys conducted in 1998 showed that food security at the household
level for IDPs covered by food aid remains at a critical level.
Migration Management: In 1998, IOM and the Government
of Nakhchivan established a Capacity Building in Migration Management
Programme with projects in policy and management, border control and
migration information systems, legislation and procedures, refugees
and IDPs, and labour migration. The Government has adopted laws on
immigration, citizenship and labour migration.
Migration Sector Development: An IOM project is
developing the capacity of migration sector NGOs through initiatives
targeting administrative and institutional development. Also in 1998,
a regional seminar - "Migration in Trans-Caucasus: Problems and
Possible Solutions" - was held which included NGO participants
from Armenia and Georgia; a Migration Resource Centre was
established; and 22 migration NGOs attended a national conference to
discuss migration management problems and solutions.
Azerbaijan Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency
(ARRA): UNDP, the World Bank, and UNHCR have jointly assisted with
institutional arrangements for the $120 million Programme for
Resettlement and Reconstruction. There are six components of the
project: support for voluntary resettlement of IDPs; reconstruction
of housing; creation of employment; rehabilitation of health care
facilities and schools; reconstruction of infrastructure; and
institutional support for agencies managing the rehabilitation of
IDPs, de-mining efforts, and reconstruction of war-torn areas. ARRA
is responsible for implementing reconstruction activities in
liberated territories. An International Advisory Group (IAG)
co-chaired by UNDP, the World Bank, and the European Commission, has
begun assisting the Government with donor coordination and policy formulation.
Humanitarian Mine Action Programme: UNDP is taking the
lead in establishing this programme. Approval has been reached for
$500,000 from TRAC 3 resources, and a $600,000 Government
contribution has been confirmed.
Industrial Regeneration of Sumgait: A highly visible
effort to promote industrial regeneration in the city of Sumgait was
initiated by UNDP and the Government. However, external evaluations
in 1998 revealed insufficient local commitment for continuation of
the projects; thus, they were recently closed. It is unlikely that
UNDP would get involved with another initiative of this kind without
first addressing the issue of sustainability.
Earthquake Response: Following the 9 July 1998
earthquake which affected the southern regions of Azerbaijan, UNOCHA
provided $20,000 under its disaster relief programme. Additional
donations from various donors including UNICEF amounted to $44,000
for relief and response. A total of $49,000 (including UNOCHA money)
was used to provide construction material for the worst affected
families. The UNICEF money has been earmarked for repairing damages
to sanitation, water and sewerage facilities of the main district
hospital, as well as for nutritional and educational materials for
the region.
Hospital Reconstruction: UNOCHA and UNDP are
coordinating in constructing a hospital in the Gobustan district to
replace the building destroyed by 1997 floods. The facility is being
built with funds from the British Embassy and Ramco Oil Company.
Health and Education:
Economic difficulties during the transition period
have resulted in meagre investments in education and scientific
research: in 1997, only 3.6 percent of GDP was allocated to
education, about half of the 1993 level. ( ) The primary UN health
initiative is a project to build national and community-level
capacity to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and
HIV/AIDS. Funded jointly by five agencies, this project represents
the most significant UN collaborative effort in Azerbaijan to date.
HIV/AIDS: In 1998, five UN agencies - UNDP, UNHCR,
UNFPA, UNICEF, and UNAIDS - jointly contributed a total of $500,000
to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. The project aims to increase public
awareness and to build governmental capacity to implement an
anti-AIDS programme.
IDP/Refugee Health Needs: UNHCR is addressing needs in
reproductive health, family planning, safe motherhood, breast feeding
promotion, and STD and HIV awareness. Medical kits and hygiene
products are distributed, gynecological services provided through a
network of clinics, and health personnel trained in family planning practices.
Iodisation of Salt: UNICEF advocates salt iodisation
legislation to combat iodine deficiency disorder and has provided
related equipment to the Absheron salt mines.
Maternal and Child Health: A UNICEF programme involves
immunisation campaigns, health education, drug distribution to
hospitals, anti-malaria efforts, and training for medical staff on
immunisation and diphtheria case management, polio eradication
strategies, breast feeding, and prevention of respiratory illnesses
and diarrheal diseases.
Primary Health Care Reform: UNICEF has pilot projects
in six districts and works closely with communities to improve the
delivery of health services by focusing on management and financing
mechanisms, organisational structure, and the use of infrastructure.
UNICEF provides medicines, medical equipment, and other necessary supplies.
Psychological Assistance: UNICEF initiated a
Children’s Help Line, an SOS telephone support line managed and
operated by trained disabled people. In one year, the service handled
18,000 calls dealing with suicide, family problems, drug abuse, etc.
Reproductive Health and Family Planning: UNFPA works
with the Ministry of Health to improve access to reproductive health
services through procurement of contraceptives, medical equipment,
and essential drugs. UNFPA is also establishing family planning
clinics in six pilot districts: training is provided to health
service providers to update their knowledge of contraceptive
technology and reproductive health care.
Human Development Report: The annual Azerbaijan Human
Development Report was launched by UNDP in October to considerable
interest. The report gauges developments in a range of areas,
including education, health, the environment, and the economy.
Computer Centres: UNDP has established computer
centres in Baku, Sumgait, and Nakhchivan. These facilities benefit
from the telecommunications expertise of UNESCO.
Anti-drug Initiatives: UNDP is strengthening the
capacity of Government Ministries and law enforcement agencies
involved in the struggle against drugs.
Population Census: UNFPA is providing the State
Statistics Committee with technical training and computer equipment
in preparation for Azerbaijan’s first independent census.
Country Population Assessment: UNFPA is preparing a
report analysing national progress in population, health and family
planning, and development. Programme activities are targeted at
increasing access to modern methods of fertility regulation; at
improving data collection, analysis and use; and at expanding
youth-targeted educational activities.
Psycho-social Rehabilitation: Under a joint UNICEF,
WFP and UNHCR psycho-social rehabilitation programme for preschool
children affected by war, 38 centres in 11 districts have been
established in IDP and refugee camps, covering 2,400 displaced
children with food aid and 270 teachers with Food-For-Work. UNICEF
provides materials and training. UNHCR has helped construct premises
for these centres in the liberated territories.
Educational Materials/ Television Programmes: UNICEF
supports the production of educational programmes for kindergarten-aged
children, most of whom do not attend kindergarten. UNICEF and UNDP
are jointly developing teaching manuals for an extracurricular course
on the environment for primary school children. UNFPA and the
Ministry of Education are developing a curriculum that focuses on
preventing the spread of STDs and HIV/AIDS.
Peace and Tolerance Education: A UNHCR pilot programme
targets up to 25,000 IDPs and refugees.
School Self-financing: UNICEF has projects to develop
self-financing mechanisms in five schools. After helping to organise
school communities and providing grants to match their contributions
to school improvement, UNICEF now helps develop self-financing
activities by assisting communities with business plans and providing
resources to initiate financing projects. The projects have made
notable improvements in school attendance.
Training for School Administrators: UNICEF
subcontracts TACIS to provide training for school administrators on self-management
and accounting principles.
Vocational Skills Training: UNHCR has provided a
construction trade apprentice programme and vocational skills
training to develop administrative, accounting, and computer skills
in young IDP adults.
Promotion of UN Activities and Goals: UNDPI promotes
understanding of UN initiatives and goals through its various
activities [described in detail in Section 2.2, Part B]. UNDPI also
arranged the media campaign for the September 1998 UNFPA/ECO
Conference on Male Participation in Population and Reproductive
Health Programmes. The conference promoted comprehensive population
programmes in the countries of the ECO region.
Nagorno-Karabakh Bulletin: UNOCHA facilitates
information exchange among govern-ment agencies and approximately 55
international humanitarian organisations. It also produces the
Situation Report, a bulletin on Nagorno-Karabakh.
Civil Society and Governance:
Sustainable human development requires a system of
governance that is participatory, transparent, accountable,
effective, and equitable. The UN supports Azerbaijan’s progress
in this area by promoting capacity building, strengthening of civil
society, protection of human rights, and understanding of the
country’s human development needs.
NGO Gender Bureau: UNDP supported the establishment of
a Baku-based resource centre to provide encouragement, training, and
organisational assistance to women’s NGOs.
NGO Resource and Training Centre (NRTC): Established
in June 1998 in Baku, the NRTC (UNDP-funded, UNDESA-implemented)
promotes development of national NGOs through provision of facilities
(conference room, computers, library, and a national NGO database);
training programmes for skill development and capacity building; and
assistance with networking. Cooperation has been initiated with 76
national NGOs. Approximately 40 students have developed basic skills
in strategic planning and fund management through participation in a
two month course, while nearly 100 students have attended classes on
NGOs and the UN.
Folkarts and Folklore: UNDP supports production of a
catalogue of the national carpet museum collection, including a
history of Caucasian textile arts. UNDP is also financing the
translation of a traditional piece of Azerbaijani folklore,
"Dedeh Gorgut".
Enhancement of Opera and Ballet Theatre: UNDP is
pursuing initiatives including establishment of a trust fund: with
private sector contributions, $250,000 was raised for building
amenities, maintenance and promotion of the theatre’s programmes.
Human Rights: A UNDP project is assisting the
Government in establishing a Human Rights Commission, helped to
celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration, and
is engaged in other activities related to the advancement of human rights.
50th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human
Rights: This event had a very high profile in Azerbaijan [see
details, Section 2.2, Part B]. In December, a major celebration took
place in Baku with the participation of the President.
Conference on Women in Conflict: UNDP, UNHCR, UNIFEM,
and the Government jointly organised a successful regional
conference, "Women’s Rights are Human Rights" (18-20
May 1998) on women in conflict.
Humanitarianism and Peace Seminar: UNOCHA hosted a
Local Capacity for Peace Project seminar. Problems/opportunities
facing aid agencies in Azerbaijan were discussed.
Environment:
Recognising that protecting and rehabilitating the
physical environment is an essential condition for human development,
the UN is undertaking initiatives in the environmental arena.
Regional and global concerns have begun to draw particular attention.
Asbestos: UNHCR will address problems of asbestos in
building materials by utilising non-asbestos materials in all new
construction work and by sealing and securely storing all
asbestos-containing waste until a proper final disposal facility is available.
Baku Water Supply Rehabilitation: A World Bank project
is making short-term improvements to the Baku water supply and will
provide the basis for longer term planning and recovery of the system
as a whole through demand management; supply, operations and
maintenance improvements; and institutional capacity building.
Caspian Environmental Programme: UNDP, the World Bank,
UNEP, and EU/TACIS are jointly preparing a regional Caspian
Environmental Programme for all Caspian states.
Climate Change: A UNDP project is assisting the
Government in preparing Azerbaijan’s first response to its
commitments under the Convention on Climate Change.
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS): UNDP is preparing
projects to assist Azerbaijan in meeting commitments under the
Montreal Protocol. Phasing out of ODS is occurring at the Chinar
refrigerator plant in Baku and the Sumgait Compressor plant through
initiatives aimed at recovery/recycling of refrigerants and
establishment of halon banking.
Environmental Monitoring, Damage Assessment, and
Database: UNDP is establishing an environment centre in Sumgait to
distribute information and increase public awareness.
Urgent Environmental Investment: In June 1998, the
World Bank approved a project to build a new sturgeon hatchery,
decontaminate a heavily mercury-polluted area of Sumgait, test oil
field cleanup methods and mitigate oil field pollution, and
strengthen the capacity of the State Committee for the Environment.
1.4Progress on Implementation of the
Secretary-General’s Reform Programme
The UN Country Team agreed that a special working
group would be established with the support of locally recruited
international consultants to achieve the following objectives:
In August, a "Joint Study of UN Activities in
Azerbaijan" provided the first step toward the UN Country
Team’s preparation of a CCA, and ultimately toward preparation
of a UNDAF. The Study aimed to assess the extent to which UN
activities in Azerbaijan are coordinated and to identify areas in
which improved cooperation and synergies among the agencies could
enhance the UN system"s overall effectiveness in addressing the
country’s social, economic and political needs.
The Study found a strong sentiment among Country Team
members that coordination and cooperation have greatly increased over
the past year and that personalities and attitudes of agency heads
make the difference between a coherent and a divided UN presence.
Opportunities for collaboration among UN agencies in Azerbaijan can
be expected to increase as emergency humanitarian activities are
phased out and attention turns toward development, rehabilitation,
and reconstruction. The synergy that has developed among UNDP, the
World Bank and UNHCR in the effort to assist the Government with the
enormous task of reconstruction and rehabilitation of war-torn areas
provides an example of increased UN coordination within the
country’s changing circumstances.
1.5Composition of the United Nations system
country team
|
UN Resident Coordinator: |
Mr. Ercan Murat. |
|
Funds, Programmes and Agencies represented |
Name and title of representatives |
|
a) Based in the Country:
IMF
Representative.IOM
Office. UNDESA
Advisor. UNDP
Representative.UNDPI
Representative. UNFPA.
Representative. UNHCR
Representative. UNICEF
Representative. UNOCHA
Coordinator. UNWF
Representative. World Bank
Representative.
|
Mr. Jonathan Dunn, Resident
Mr. Joost van der Aalst, Head of
Mr. Lutful Kabir, Chief Technical
Mr. Ercan Murat, Resident
Mr. Abdallah Dorani
Mr. Ercan Murat
Mr. Didier Laye
Mr. Akif Saatchioglu
Mr. Ercan Murat, Humanitarian
Mr. Cherif A. Zaher
Mr. Tevfik Yaprak, Resident
|
|
b) Outside the Country:
UNFPA
Representative.
|
Vacant, Regional
|
1.6Composition and Output of Theme Groups/
Inter-Agency Task Forces
Coordination of Interagency activities in the
humanitarian field is facilitated through four different sectoral
meetings which then report to the main Interagency meeting. In close
consultation with all parties concerned, the meetings identify
evolving requirements and gaps in meeting needs; they also highlight
shortcomings and possible areas of duplication. All meetings occur monthly.
Sectoral Meetings:
Non-Food
The meeting is chaired by UNOCHA and attended by about
30 International NGOs, the Government counterpart and a few local
NGOs. Topics include education, income-generating activities,
agricultural projects, single shelter units, public building
rehabilitation, water and sanitation, relief items distribution,
community services development and any other relevant matters.
Food
The meeting is chaired by WFP and attended by about 15
NGOs (mainly international), the government counterpart and one or
two local NGOs. It covers current food aid activities, vulnerable
groups, security, the food situation in the country, nutritional
matters and surveys, movement of IDPs and interventions from
donors’ representatives.
Health
The meeting is chaired by UNICEF and attended by about
20 organisations - mainly international NGOs, but also the Ministry
of Health and a few local NGOs. It covers reproductive health,
expanded programme of immunisation (EPI), health surveys and malaria
(particularly during the summer, when the problem emerges in certain
areas of Azerbaijan).
Demining (Mine Action)
The meeting is chaired by UNOCHA. Because of the
sensitivity of the issues raised, attendance is limited to only those
agencies with active involvement in related programmes. This includes
approximately eight international organisations and the
representative from the national agency on Reconstruction and
Rehabilitation of Azerbaijan. Mine information systems, demining,
mine awareness/education and victim assistance are discussed.
Donor
The meeting is chaired by the European Community
Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and is attended by approximately 10
international agencies and a few representatives from embassies
accredited to Azerbaijan. It mainly deals with funding issues.
Ad Hoc: Post Earthquake Assistance (Natural Disasters)
From July until December, UNOCHA was chairing
interagency meetings pertaining to the provision of assistance to the
southern regions of Azerbaijan which were affected by the earthquake
of July 9, 1998. The emergency assistance was phased out in December 1998.
HIV/AIDS
Chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator, the Theme
Group is composed of core and non-core members. Core members are the
heads of UNAIDS co-sponsoring agencies represented in Azerbaijan -
UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, World Bank, and UNHCR. Non-core members are
representatives of the Ministries of Health, Education, Youth and
Sports, Labour and Social Security, and international/national NGOs.
The Theme Group meets quarterly and assists in the promotion of
information-sharing and in securing the involvement of other partners
(relevant national bodies, NGOs/CBOs, bilateral/multilateral
agencies, research institutions, groups formed by people living with
HIV/AIDS, the private sector, etc.) in formulating a national
response to HIV/AIDS.
InterAgency
The meeting is chaired by UNOCHA and attended by
representatives of approximately 50 agencies (mainly international),
the Government of Azerbaijan, and a few national NGOs. It updates
current UN and NGO activities; summarises topics discussed at
sectoral meetings; and reports on various surveys, studies, workshops
and seminars, general humanitarian information, security,
IDP/population movement and any other subject of interest to the
humanitarian community. Depending on the issue of concern, an
additional representative of the relevant government department may
be invited. For example, in relation to increased concerns for the
security of foreigners in Baku (following a series of robberies,
assaults and vandalisms), a representative from the Ministry of
Interior was invited to answer questions.
Interagency Task Forces:
UNICEF-Initiated (Education and Health)
In 1998, UNICEF initiated the formulation of a
programme of cooperation with the Government of Azerbaijan for
2000-2004. Multi-sectoral Task Forces - under the coordination of the
Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health - were established
with the participation of other ministerial bodies, international and
national NGOs and UN organisations. The Task Forces aim to identify
priority areas and possible interventions for preparation of a Master
Plan of Operations (MPO) between the Government and UNICEF.
Representatives of UN agencies - UNDP, UNFPA, WFP, UNHCR and the
World Bank - participated in a number of meetings and workshops to
identify opportunities for future common interventions in the fields
of education and health. The Task Forces presented their first
outcomes to a wide audience (including intersectoral attendance) at
the MPO workshop.
UNHCR-Initiated (Health and Family Planning)
UNHCR hosts regular meetings of UN agencies and
international NGOs with involvement in reproductive health and family
planning activities. Support from UNFPA comes through provision of
contraceptives and resource materials and cooperation in data collection.
Part Two of the Annual Report
2.1Methodology for Report Preparation
The annual report was prepared through a fully
participatory process that included frequent meetings with heads of
agencies and meetings of a task force which incorporated the
participation of heads of agencies. A UNDP focal point was
responsible for obtaining, summarising and editing all information submitted.
Although Country Team members were cooperative and
eager to participate in the report preparation exercise, pressing and
ongoing work-loads did, at times, delay the work of the task force.
2.2 Self-appraisal of the UN Country Team
based on the 1998 work plan
A. Have the members of the UN Country Team
been fully committed to working together?
With the arrival of the new UNICEF Representative in
January 1999, all Country Team members are now, to varying degrees,
recent arrivals in Azerbaijan, as each has assumed his/her post
within the past 16 months. However, after a warming up period, the UN
Country Team members have shown a clear commitment to working
cooperatively. Examples of this commitment in 1998 included: full
participation of all Agencies in the first UN Country Team Retreat;
contributions from five UN agencies (UNDP, UNHCR, UNFPA, UNICEF, and
UNAIDS) to the launching of an initiative to combat the spread of
HIV/AIDS; joint organisation - by UNDP, UNHCR, UNIFEM and the
Government of Azerbaijan - of a regional conference on women in
conflict (held in Baku, and incorporating Armenian participation);
and joint meetings of Agency heads with high level Government
officials on matters related to policy issues.
B. Has the UN Country Team reached the overall
objectives and planned results set in the 1998 work plan of the
Resident Coordinator system?
Support to collaborative/more integrated UN programming:
-
An assessment of the ongoing UN programmes was
completed in August. The study assessed the extent to which UN
activities in Azerbaijan are coordinated and identified areas in
which improved cooperation and synergies among the agencies could
enhance the UN system’s effectiveness in addressing the
country’s social, economic and political needs.
- Preparation of the Common Country
Assessment will be completed shortly.
- Disaster Management Training for UN
staff did not take place due to delays in national disaster
management project approvals. It is expected that training will occur
in 1999.
Follow-up to Global United Nations conferences:
-
As a follow-up to the Beijing Conference, a regional
conference on Human Rights and Gender and women in conflict,
"Women’s Rights are Human Rights", was held in Baku in
May. This very successful conference was financed by UNDP, UNHCR and
UNIFEM and was attended by approximately 200 delegates from 13
regional countries, including a high-level delegation from Armenia.
Informal meetings between Armenian and Azerbaijani officials were
organised. UNDPI arranged the media campaigns for the conference.
- As a follow-up to the Cairo
Conference, the Country Population Status Assessment for Azerbaijan
has been completed. UNFPA and UNDP were the focal points for this
initiative, which also incorporated the participation of all other
Agencies within the Country Team.
- As a follow-up to the framework
adopted at the May 1996 CISCON Conference in Geneva, representatives
of UNHCR travelled to Geneva for CISCON steering group workshops,
held between 15-18 June 1998. Presentations were made by four working
groups, on the following topics: NGO legislation in CIS countries;
humanitarian emergency assistance; repatriation and return of
refugees; and refugee law and protection.
UN House and Common Services:
UN System Public Information and Advocacy:
2.3 Appraisal of Headquarters’ Support
Received in 1998
During 1998, the only increase in support from
headquarters to the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) system
in Azerbaijan was felt in the context of the UNDG and UNDGO
subgroups. Materials produced and distributed by these groups are
increasingly relevant and provided much needed policy and operational
support to the functioning of the UNRC system in the field.
The UN Country Team members in Azerbaijan agreed that
a pattern of increased institutionalisation of the UNRC system now
exists and that the participation and support of various Agency
headquarters is being felt. This is definitely a great improvement
over the recent past. The Country Team feels that, while this growth
of the concept, spirit and institutionalisation of the UNRC system is
on the right track, there are still efforts needed for the system to
be put on a strong foundation for long-term sustainability. In this
context, more efforts are required to encourage the active
participation of Agency headquarters through their respective
representatives in order to allow the UNRC Team to function
effectively. In other words, though personal and professional
relationships between the Resident Coordinator and Country Team
members are very important elements, efforts to institutionalise the
UNRC system should continue. Such efforts should be actively
supported by respective headquarters.
UNDGO might consider establishing a regular
publication or circular letters of "Best Practices and Lessons
Learned" in making the UNRC system a success.
2.4Report on the Utilisation of Funds
Allocated to Support Coordination Functions
In 1998, a total of USD$ 44,188.55 was spent to
support coordination functions (figures in Annex I have been rounded
up). Funds were allocated as follows:
Support to Collaborative and More Integrated
UN Programming
A number of initiatives were undertaken in order to
enhance the impact of the UN system in Azerbaijan. In particular,
funds supported the hiring of a Secretary to the Opera Trust Fund and
the "Open Doors to Nakhchivan" initiative - a visit of 120
diplomats and businesspeople to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic,
with the aim of attracting investment to the isolated and
underdeveloped region.
Follow-up to Global UN Conferences
Three seminars on HIV/AIDS awareness were conducted
for UN staff.
UN House and Common Services
The fund supported the full participation of all
Agencies in first UN Country Team Retreat (to Sheki, in northwestern
Azerbaijan) in 1998. The weekend was designed to increase interagency
collegiality and program awareness; overall, it was judged to have
been a great success. The cost of printing directories of UN
personnel in Azerbaijan was also covered. As the Agencies’
offices are not all located within one building, these booklets have
proven extremely useful in enhancing coordination of Country Team members.
UN System Public Information and Advocacy
A number of public activities were held to commemorate
UN-recognised special days and, in particular, the 50th Anniversary
of the UN Declaration on Human Rights. Musical and children’s
art competitions and a ceremony/musical programme (which the
President attended and addressed) were organised in recognition of
the Declaration. A week of public events were took place in
connection with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty;
these included a sports event, school visit, public lecture,
round-table discussion and the launching of the 1998 Human
Development Report for Azerbaijan. Musical concerts were also held in
recognition of UN Day, World AIDS Day, and International Women’s Day.
Activities in Line with the
Secretary-General’s Programme for Reform
Funds to support coordination functions financed an
assessment of ongoing UN programmes. The study was completed in order
to assess the extent to which UN activities in Azerbaijan are
coordinated and to identify areas in which increased synergies could
enhance the UN system’s effectiveness. A Common Country
Assessment is underway and will be finalised shortly.
2.4: Annex I
Report on the Utilisation of Funds Allocated
to Support Coordination Functions in Azerbaijan for 1998
|
Management and coordination of the UN system |
Actions and initiatives (from 1998 work plan) |
Results achieved (impact) |
Expenditures (in US$)
SRC Funds |
|
|
|
|
Allotment |
Expenditures |
Undisbursed commitments |
UN Agencies |
Government |
Donors |
|
Support to collaborative and more integrated UN programming |
Activities facilitating UN programmes |
Improved quality of UN programmes |
|
$16,280 |
|
UNDP $11,000 |
|
|
|
Follow-up to global UN conferences |
Seminars on HIV/AIDS awareness |
Increased staff awareness |
|
$330 |
|
|
|
|
|
UN House and common services |
UN Country Team retreat; Printing UN directories |
Increased interagency collegiality and program awareness |
|
$2,440 |
|
|
|
|
|
UN system public information and advocacy |
Activities to observe 50th Anniversary of UN
Declaration on Human Rights and other UN- recognised special days |
More informed public |
|
$18,840 |
|
UNDP $12,200
UNDPI $2,500
UNHCR $2,000 |
|
|
|
Activities in line with the Secretery-General’s
Programme for Reform |
Joint Study of Country Team Activities; CCA |
Improved integration of UN programmes |
|
$3,070 |
|
UNDP $600 |
|
|
|
Special Assignments |
Preparation of annual Resident Coordinator’s
Report; Miscellaneous |
|
|
$3,250 |
|
UNDP $2,000 |
|
|
2.5Annex II: 1999 Work Plan of the Resident
Coordinator System in Azerbaijan
|
Management and coordination functions of the
UN System |
Planned activities and initiatives |
Results to be achieved |
Time frame |
Responsibility |
Funds required |
|
SRC Others UN Agencies |
|
Support to collaborative and more integrated
UN programming |
- preparation and finalisation of CCA and UNDAF |
- framework for integrated UN programming (UNDAF) |
Jan - Dec |
UNRC/ UNDAF working group, chaired by UNICEF Representative |
$15,000 |
|
|
|
Follow-up to global UN conferences |
- follow-up to World Summit for Children; World Summit
for Social Development; 2nd UN Conference on Human Settlements; World
Food Summit |
- increased influence on national policy-making |
Jan - Dec |
UNRC/ UN Country Team |
$15,000 |
$5,000 |
|
|
UN House and common services |
- designation of common office premises
- preparation of a UN Home Page
- preparation of a booklet on UN activities in Azerbaijan
- support to UNRC office
|
- formal change of UN building name to UN House
- increased knowledge of public, government, and NGOs
with whom UN works
- increased public knowledge
- more effective functioning of UNRC system
|
June
April - May
April - June
Jan - Dec
|
UNRC/ WFP
UNRC/ WB
UNDPI
UNRC
|
$5,000
$5,000
$10,000
$6,000
|
$5,000
$10,000
|
|
|
UN system public information and advocacy |
- seminars, workshops, lectures, sponsoring of
exhibitions, support for NGOs
- activities to observe UN-recognised special days,
including International Women’s Day, Youth Day, World Food Day,
UN Day, World AIDS Day, Human Rights Day, World Refugee Day
- support to State Opera and Ballet Theatre Trust Fund |
- increased knowledge of public, government officials
and NGOs, with a view to increase the UN image
- public awareness of specific and important UN-recognised
days
|
as per schedule
Jan - Dec
|
UNDPI, other UN Agencies
UNRC
|
$25,000
$6,000
|
$5,000
|
|
|
Other activities in line with the
Secretary-General’s Programme for Reform |
- continued efforts to strengthen and develop joint
programming and financing of programmes |
- increased Country Team programme coherence, cost-
sharing and collaboration
|
Jan - Dec |
UNRC/ UN Country Team |
$5,000 |
|
|
2.5Annex II: 1999 Work Plan of the Resident
Coordinator System in Azerbaijan
|
Management and coordination functions of the
UN System |
Planned activities and initiatives |
Results to be achieved |
Time frame |
Responsibility |
Funds required |
|
SRC Others UN Agencies |
|
Support to collaborative and more integrated
UN programming |
- preparation and finalisation of CCA and UNDAF |
- framework for integrated UN programming (UNDAF) |
Jan - Dec |
UNRC/ UNDAF working group, chaired by UNICEF Representative |
$15,000 |
|
|
|
Follow-up to global UN conferences |
- follow-up to World Summit for Children; World Summit
for Social Development; 2nd UN Conference on Human Settlements; World
Food Summit |
- increased influence on national policy-making |
Jan - Dec |
UNRC/ UN Country Team |
$15,000 |
$5,000 |
|
|
UN House and common services |
- designation of common office premises
- preparation of a UN Home Page
- preparation of a booklet on UN activities in Azerbaijan
- support to UNRC office
|
- formal change of UN building name to UN House
- increased knowledge of public, government, and NGOs with whom UN works
- increased public knowledge
- more effective functioning of UNRC system
|
June
April - May
April - June
Jan - Dec
|
UNRC/ WFP
UNRC/WB
UNDP
UNRC
|
$5,000
$5,000
$10,000
$6,000
|
$5,000
$10,000
|
|
|
UN system public information and advocacy |
- seminars, workshops, lectures, sponsoring of
exhibitions, support for NGOs
- activities to observe UN-recognised special days,
including International Women’s Day, Youth Day, World Food Day,
UN Day, World AIDS Day, Human Rights Day, World Refugee Day
- support to State Opera and Ballet Theatre Trust Fund |
- increased knowledge of public, government officials
and NGOs, with a view to increase the UN image
- public awareness of specific and important UN-recognised
days
|
as per schedule
Jan - Dec
|
UNDPI, other UN Agencies
UNRC
|
$25,000
$6,000
|
$5,000
|
|
|
Other activities in line with the
Secretary-General’s Programme for Reform |
- continued efforts to strengthen and develop joint
programming and financing of programmes |
- increased Country Team programme coherence, cost-
sharing and collaboration
|
Jan - Dec |
UNRC/ UN Country Team |
$5,000 |
|
|
|
