Azerbaijan

Energy Sector Support Workshop

Tianhua Luo, ADB Energy Specialist presented on 23 November ADB's renewable energy project in Azerbaijan at a workshop organized by the Ministry of Industry and Energy under a European Union-funded project to support the country's energy sector development.

ADB high-level mission visits Azerbaijan

Juan Miranda, ADB Director General of Central and West Asia Regional Department (CWRD), Matthew Westfall, Director of CWRD Social Sectors Division, and Chin Choon Fong, ADB Assistant General Counsel started a 2-day high level mission to Azerbaijan on 2 November. The mission team discussed joint strategy options, key business lines, and program approaches with senior government officials.

Presentation on ADB's NGO Initiative for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS Held

Rafael Abbasov, Economics Officer, AZRM presented ADB's HIV/AIDS Grant Program under the RETA to be financed by the HIV/AIDS Trust Fund. Representatives of civil society organizations and government agencies attended the presentation. Learn more about the program.

CAREC Trade Policy Coordination Committee workshop held in Baku

Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Trade Policy Coordination Committee (TPCC) held an outreach workshop in Baku, Azerbaijan on 28 September, targeting key stakeholders from government agencies, donors, private sector and media. Philip Chang, Country Economist, AZRM and Samir Veliyev, Head of Apparatus, Ministry of Economic Development welcomed over 40 participants. The discussion was led by Sona Shrestha, Economist, ADB and Sena Eken, Assistant Director, IMF. Read news release.

Training under ADB's Technical Assistance Project on Capacity Building at the Ministry of Economic Development Launched

On 15 August, more than 25 representatives of the Government, national bank, and academia attended the Training Courses on macroeconomic modeling and economic policy under technical assistance project on Capacity Building at the Ministry of Economic Development. The training sought to enhance skills on modeling for macroeconomic projections and analyzing the impact of economic policies and external shocks on the economy and poverty.

Workshop on ICT in Basic Education Held in Baku

A national workshop under ADB's regional technical assistance project on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Basic Education was held in Baku on 4 August. Over 20 workshop participants, comprising government officials, nongovernment organizations, and academia, discussed experiences and issues on effective and sustainable ICT investment in basic education.

Two Loans Signed for East- West Highway Project

Matthew Westfall, Country Director, Azerbaijan Resident Mission and Ziya Mammadov, Minister of Transport, signed two loans totalling $52 million to finance the East- West Highway improvement project on 1 June. Over 30 government officials and media representatives attended the signing ceremony. Read the news release and speech.

Philip Chang, Country Economist, AZRM and Mr. Natig Aliyev, Minister of Energy and Industry signed a grant agreement for a US$900,000 technical assistance project on renewable energy development. The signing ceremony was attended by over 30 representatives from government, donors, academics and media. Read the news release.

Philip Chang, Country Economist presided over the loan signing ceremony of trade finance facilitation agreements with two local banks in the amount of US$4 million for each bank. The signing ceremony was attended by over 20 representatives of mass media. Read the news release.

The Asian Development Outlook 2006 was launched by Country Economist Philip Chang at a press conference on 6 April. Over 20 representatives of local and international media including AP, AFP and Reuters attended the press conference. Read the news release.

ADB Provides Protective Equipment to Fight Avian Influenza/Bird Flu

Jacques Jeugmans and Robert Dobias of ADB's Regional and Sustainable Development Division, and Matthew Westfall, AZRM Country Director turned over $50,000 worth of protective equipment and supplies to the Ministry of Agriculture's State Veterinary Service. The equipment included disposable suits, masks, gloves and goggles to help protect front-line staff involved in veterinary surveillance, poultry flock culling, and disinfection activities. ADB is helping countries prevent the spread of avian flu through its regional technical assistance program. Read the news release.

MOU for the Early Childhood Development Project Signed

Matthew Westfall, CD, AZRM and Misir Mardanov, Minister of Education, signed a memorandum of understanding for the loan fact-finding mission for the Early Childhood Development Project on 1 March. Robert Wihtol, Director, Social Sectors Division, ECRD, addressed over 60 representatives from government and media who attended the signing ceremony.

AZRM: Governance and the Private Sector Consultation Workshops

Consultation workshops on the draft Private Sector Assessment and Country Governance Assessment are being held in Baku on 23-24 February, targeting key stakeholders from government agencies, the private sector, donors and civil society. Matthew Westfall, Country Director, AZRM, Noy Siackhachanh, Director, ECGF, and Mikayil Jabbarov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development presented welcome remarks to over 60 representatives of government agencies and private sector. Read the news release.

Country Director Speaks at Conference on Regional Development

Matthew Westfall, Country Director, AZRM gave a speech at the Conference on the State Program for Economic and Social Development of the Regions on 17 February, which focused on the results of the second year of its implementation. The conference was chaired by President Ilham Aliyev, and attended by senior Government officials, heads of diplomatic missions, representatives from donors, NGOs and the private sector, and members of media.

Donor Roundtable on Cities Alliance and Urban & Regional Development

On 27 January, AZRM hosted a presentation and discussion on ADB's Cities Alliance program, its linkage to Country Strategy and Program, and cofinancing opportunities for key donors, nongovernment organizations, and the private sector. Matthew Westfall, Country Director, Azerbaijan Resident Mission, made a presentation and led the roundtable of 35 participants, including representatives from the Government, international financial institutions, bilateral aid agencies, and the embassies of France, Israel, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States.

Cities Alliance Partnership Agreement Signed

Matthew Westfall, Country Director, Azerbaijan Resident Mission (AZRM), Heydar Babayev, Minister of Economic Development and ADB Governor, and David Eizenberg, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative signed a Cities Alliance grant agreement in the amount of $500,000 on 15 December 2005. The project will enhance the strategic planning, governance, and resource mobilization capabilities of Azerbaijan’s cities and towns to contribute to economic growth and urban poverty reduction. Read the news release.

Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Loans Signed

Matthew Westfall, Country Director, Azerbaijan Resident Mission and Abid Sharifov, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, signed two loans totalling $30 million to help improve water supply and sanitation services in the regional towns of Agdash, Goychay and Nakhchivan, in a ceremony attended by Government officials and the media. The Government also signed a TA Letter, accepting an advisory technical assistance grant of $500,000 to support institutional strengthening of the water supply and sanitation sector. Read the news release.

AZRM: Transport Sector Strategy Development Workshop

The inception workshop for Transport Sector Strategy Development (ADTA 4582), was held on 16 November 2005 at the Ministry of Transport in Baku, Azerbaijan. Matthew Westfall, Country Director, Azerbaijan Resident Mission, presented a welcome address to over 60 representatives from Government, the donor community, media and other stakeholders participating in the consultative workshop. A presentation on ADB's transport projects was made by Faraj Huseynbeyov, Project Implementation Officer, AZRM.

AZRM: ADB Depository Library Launched in Azerbaijan

ADB's Depository Library was launched at Khazar University 3 November 2005. Country Director, AZRM and Founder and President of Khazar University addressed over 30 representatives of government, academia, civil society and media.

The Board of Directors Visit to Azerbaijan

Members of the Asian Development Bank's Board of Directors visited Azerbaijan from 10-14 September 2005. The ADB Board group met with the President, Deputy Prime Minister, senior ministers, donors, and representatives from the private sector, NGOs and other stakeholders. The group also visited the sites of ADB-financed projects and talked first-hand with beneficiaries.

AZRM Country Director Speaks at the Azerbaijan Products Promotion Conference

AZRM Country Director Matthew Westfall gave a speech at the Azerbaijan Products Promotion Conference on August 4, 2005. The conference was chaired by Mr. Farhad Aliyev, Minister of Economic Development and ADB Governor. Over 180 government, local manufacturer and donor representatives attended the conference.

Azerbaijan Government, ADB Sign New US$850,000 Technical Assistance Agreement

ADB is supporting the formulation and implementation of Azerbaijan's new long-term development strategy for reducing poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals through a US$850,000 technical assistance (TA) agreement. The agreement was signed with the Government of Azerbaijan on 2 August 2005. Minister Farhad Aliyev, Minister of Economic Development and ADB's Governor for Azerbaijan and Matthew Westfall, Country Director, AZRM held a press conference after the signing ceremony. The TA will be granted from the Cooperation Fund in Support of the Formulation and Implementation of National Poverty Reduction Strategies and ADB’s technical assistance funds.

ADB Director of Energy Division of East and Central Asia Department Visits Azerbaijan

ADB Director of Energy Division of East and Central Asia Department Anil Terway visits Azerbaijan from June 6-11, 2005. Mr. Terway gave a speech at the 12th International Caspian Oil and Gas Conference attended by senior government officials from around the region, private sector companies, donors and media. During the visit, Mr. Terway discussed energy sector development with the Azerbaijan government officials and donors.

ADB Director General of East and Central Asia Department Visits Azerbaijan

ADB Director General Satish Rao visited Azerbaijan from May 9-12, 2005. Mr. Rao met with key Government decision-makers and donors, participated in the Annual Conference for the State program for Poverty Reduction and Economic Development (SPPRED). Mr. Rao gave a speech on the conference, attended by the President Ilham Aliyev, senior Government officials, heads of diplomatic missions, donor's representatives, NGO representatives, and members of media. ADB, participating donors and the Government, in support of close collaboration and coordination on the new 10-year development strategy, signed a joint declaration. [ PDF ]

ADB Vice President Visits Azerbaijan

ADB Vice President Liqun Jin visited Azerbaijan from April 21-23, 2005, along with staff from ADB's private Sector Operations Department. Mr. Jin and his team met with government officials, donors, and private sector representatives from the areas of finance, energy, and telecommunications.

The visit focused on exploring opportunities for cooperation in the private sector, enhancing the business climate, and identifying areas for ADB support. In addition to public sector lending operations, ADB also provides support to the private sector in the areas of finance and infrastructure, in the form of equity investments, loans, partial credit and political risk guarantees, and complementary financing to its developing member countries.