BAKU, 25 October 2018 – Scaling up resources and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Azerbaijan will require unprecedented levels of mobilisation and joint work by all: the government, businesses and people. This is the key highlight of the first Baku Forum for Sustainable Development, which aims to strengthen regional partnerships for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.  The event brings together over 200 participants from some 30 countries, including government officials, members of parliament, international organisations, civil society, academia, youth and private sector.

The two-day inaugural Forum, co-hosted by the Government and the United Nations Office in Azerbaijan, has received substantial technical and financial support from the United Nations Development Programme and Azerbaijan’s National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development. The event provides a very dynamic on-stage discussion platform to share regional experiences on the SDGs nationalisation focusing on countries where mainstreaming, acceleration and policy support (MAPS) mission has been undertaken and SDGs accelerators are being implemented.

Participants will also discuss challenges of SDGs implementation in line with the theme of the UN High-level Political Forum for 2019 - “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”.  Key emphases will be on developing a better understanding of the integration of gender issues into policies concerning employment, education, health, and access to resources. Panel discussions will draw upon the importance of the protection of labour rights and employment opportunities for all, ensuring inclusivity and reducing inequalities.  

The role of youth, women, parliaments, civil society and other stakeholders in implementation of the SDGs and promotion of peaceful and resilient societies for sustainable development will be among topics of discussion as well. Moreover, Forum participants will exchange their experience in SDGs advocacy and discuss ways to strengthen public-private partnerships and socially responsible business models for implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Putting partnerships at the forefront of global development efforts, the Baku Forum highlights the importance of working together with a broad array of stakeholders and attending to the needs of all, leaving no one behind. As a matter of special importance and central to sustainable development, the Forum is also seen as the platform to call attention in the region to clean water supply management and climate change action.

With its inaugural inception this year, the Baku Forum for Sustainable Development will be regularly held on a biennial basis and will evolve into a regional development space where policymakers, business leaders, and diverse experts discuss the issues of our time. 

Contact information:

For questions, please contact Arzu Jafarli, Communications and External Relations Analyst for UNDP in Azerbaijan at arzu.jafarli@undp.org