The original Millennium Declaration states that success in meeting the twin objectives of eliminating poverty and creating an environment which is conducive to development, depends, inter alia, on good governance within each country.

The government has demonstrated its determination to improve good governance. The Government of Azerbaijan has recently taken several measures which demonstrate its determination to tackle corruption. It has signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the OECD's Anti-Corruption Action Plan, and several European Council conventions. A new Law "On Combating Corruption" has been adopted (March 2004). This law, as well as the State Anti-Corruption Program are part of the Government's efforts to improve the morale and quality of civil servants responsible for the management of the economy and delivery of public services. The Law came into force on 1 January 2005, and an Anti-Corruption Commission has been established under the State Council for Civil Service Management to oversee its implementation.

In line with these efforts, and in recognition of the central role which good governance plays in poverty reduction, the Government is now discussing the possibility of formulating an extra national MDG to address governance issues.

Source:  Azerbaijan MDG Progress Report 2003/2004