The Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (APA) and the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) jointly held a seminar on the topic “Azerbaijan’s New Economic Targets.”

At the opening of the seminar, Executive Director of CAERC, Dr. Vusal Qasimli, delivered a speech titled “Building a New Economic Model.” He stated that a new economic model in Azerbaijan is being built under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. “The country’s economy has not only fully adapted to lower oil revenues, but is also continuing to grow and strengthen its competitiveness. Azerbaijan’s improved positions in the ‘Doing Business’ and ‘Global Competitiveness’ reports serve as examples of the success of the new economic model. A strategic governance mechanism is functioning in the country, and reforms are irreversible and comprehensive in nature. Starting from 2018, economic growth will gain higher momentum. As a result of the reforms carried out and the infrastructure created, the country’s position in regional and global value chains will strengthen.”

Rector of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Academician Urkhan Alakbarov, delivered a speech titled “Economic Reforms and Formation of Human Capital in Azerbaijan: Process and Outcome.” The Rector spoke about the innovative development foundation laid by national leader Heydar Aliyev and successfully continued today by President Ilham Aliyev. He informed participants about the successful results and significance of measures implemented at the Academy of Public Administration, which operates as a leading educational, methodological, scientific and analytical information center for training specialists in relevant fields for public administration and executive authorities in accordance with the Presidential Decree dated September 22, 2017.

Academician Alakbarov emphasized that the measures implemented in the country play an important role not only in improving the quality of human capital, but also in building a public administration system that meets the demands of a dynamically developing society. Referring to assessments by the United Nations, the World Bank and other reputable international organizations regarding Azerbaijan’s innovative progress, he stressed that the country’s significant economic and social achievements in a short period, its globally important initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges of the 21st century, and its growing international reputation have turned Azerbaijan into a regional and global leader in many areas. Over the past 10 years, a solid economic base for sustainable development has been established in the country. In recent years, Azerbaijan has surpassed most G20 and G7 countries in many sustainable development indicators and social metrics. These achievements are based on a combination of good governance and the effective functioning of state institutions, civil society and the private sector. In this direction, the activities of First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, are of particular importance.

It was noted during the seminar that alongside bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students, the Academy also provides training for civil servants. Only last year, more than 1,600 civil servants received training at the Academy. It was decided that CAERC and the Academy of Public Administration will organize new joint training programs for civil servants.

The joint seminar on “Azerbaijan’s New Economic Targets” continued with two separate presentations delivered by CAERC macroeconomist Faiq Qasimli. One presentation focused on Monitoring and Evaluation in the context of the Strategic Road Maps, and the other addressed Strategic Planning for state bodies, enterprises and organizations.

It should be noted that participants of the two-day training were employees of various state institutions.