New training opportunities in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Caucasus Region
12 March 2018, Baku, Azerbaijan – A delegation from UNITAR traveled to Baku to meet with representatives of the Baku Higher Oil School, the Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy, and the Ministries of Economy, Education and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan to discuss future collaboration in the fields of training and sustainable development. The Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan in Geneva organized the meetings, which were chaired by H. E. Mr. Vaqif Sadiqov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
Among the topics of discussions with Mr. Rustam Rustamli, Mr. Anar Huseynov and Mr. Mukhtar Mammadov of the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs and Education, respectively, was a partnership agreement that would lead to the opening of a new International Training Center for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) in Baku, focused on issues of sustainable development. In a time when governments and societies face an increasing number of challenges, UNITAR’s CIFAL Global Network fulfills a crucial need for capacity development on practical issues towards the improvment of the quality of life of citizens. Participants agreed that a new CIFAL in Baku would greatly increase the network’s positive outreach in the region.
On a different issue, a meeting was held with Mr. Elmar Qasimov, Director General of the Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) on how BHOS’ degree in Petroleum Engineering in English could be leveraged for improving the career perspectives for students from Africa. Several Governments in the region are making efforts to build their labor forces in the Oil & Gas industry, which have often been hindered by a shortage of well-trained engineers and technically skilled workers at all levels. Through the envisioned project between UNITAR, BHOS, and a Member State government, students from Africa would be enabled to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree at BHOS. This would be achieved through covering boarding, lodging and academic materials and through providing a tailor-made programme for the students. This project would effectively develop a new cadre of African engineers that will eventually enhance the technical foundation of the Oil & Gas sector in Africa.
In addition, discussions with H.E. Hafiz Pashayev, Rector of the Azerbaijani Diplomatic Academy (ADA University) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on the importance of strengthening leadership capacity. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require the concerted efforts of governments, the business sector, society, and individual citizens. Further, the successful integration of the SDGs into strategic plans and operational activities of organizations in all sectors hinges on innovative leadership. In response, it was agreed that UNITAR will conduct a seminar on leadership in the public sector at ADA University. The seminar topics will revolve around leadership in the public sector, political leadership and public policy, organizational culture in government, collaborative leadership in the Civil Service, leadership and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, leadership and the fight against poverty, leadership in diplomacy, and forecasting future global trends in governance and its impact on leadership.
UNITAR is delighted to pursue these future partnerships with the Republic of Azerbaijan, ADA University, and Baku Higher Oil School and to increase its outreach in the Caucasus region and beyond.
Photo: From left to right: H. E. Mr. Vaqif Sadiqov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Mr. Alex Mejia, Programme Director, UNITAR, Mr. Elmar Qasimov, Director General, BHOS