An article by Professor Vusal Gasimli, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC), has been published in “Governance Matters”, a journal of the Chandler Governance Group in Singapore.
The article, titled “Monitoring Reforms in Azerbaijan in the Post-Conflict Period”, focuses on results-based management of government programs, the “Smart Monitoring” system, monitoring the Great Return, and strengthening public trust.
The publication features articles by prominent government and public officials from various countries, as well as influential figures in the field of governance. Among them are Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia; Todd McClay, Minister of Trade and Investment of New Zealand; Fayval Williams, Minister of Finance and the Public Service of Jamaica; Major Modris Kairišs of the Latvian National Armed Forces; Lilian Saidi Vava, a representative of the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority; and Pema Choden, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Bhutan.
The publication, which shares governance experiences with senior officials and experts in more than 140 countries, presents Azerbaijan’s system for monitoring and evaluating government programs, the application of digital solutions, and evidence-based decision-making mechanisms.
The main idea of the article is built around an important principle that determines the success of reforms: adopted decisions should be transformed into clear commitments, their implementation should be measured, and the results achieved should be verified. Vusal Gasimli emphasizes that consistent monitoring enables government institutions to identify implementation gaps in a timely manner, make adjustments, and assess progress toward national development goals. Such an approach strengthens confidence in the reform process by making the link between commitments and results more visible.
The publication presents the activities of CAERC, established by a Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2016, as an important institutional foundation for the transition to results-based monitoring of government programs. The Center’s evaluations cover not only the recording of completed activities, but also the achievement of program objectives, efficient use of resources, and economic impacts. In this process, reference is made to the evaluation criteria of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The article states that in 2025, CAERC monitored 24 government programs and prepared 32 monitoring reports. Currently, the Center carries out monitoring and evaluation of 28 strategic documents. As the scope of activities has expanded, the number of strategic documents covered at different periods has exceeded 40, of which implementation has been completed and evaluation conducted for 16. The system supports the implementation of the “Azerbaijan 2030” National Priorities through measurable commitments and unified accountability principles.
The “Smart Monitoring” platform provides the digital foundation for this approach. Data and supporting documents submitted by government institutions are analyzed by CAERC specialists, compared against indicators, and verified through field monitoring. Consolidated findings and recommendations are submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers through interactive dashboards and quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports. The project management module enables deviations in expenditures and implementation timelines to be identified at an early stage.
The publication devotes particular attention to monitoring the First State Program on the Great Return to the territories liberated from occupation. In the large-scale reconstruction and resettlement process involving numerous institutions, a unified information environment enhances coordination and facilitates timely decision-making. Geographic information systems, satellite maps, and online cameras enable administrative reports to be compared with the actual situation on the ground. Secure data exchange with the electronic systems of other government institutions also supports the coordination of information on mine clearance, water resources, agricultural land, and transport infrastructure.
The article explains the contribution of technology to effective governance in conjunction with the institutional environment in which it is applied. The operation of the platform is complemented by a clear mandate, independent analytical capacity, integration of monitoring with planning and budgeting processes, and the training of specialists in government institutions. An artificial intelligence-based chatbot assists authorized users in navigating the platform, while training programs strengthen skills in results-based monitoring.
According to Vusal Gasimli, aligning real-time monitoring with evaluations conducted after the completion of programs creates an important opportunity for institutional learning. A unified platform provides greater clarity on how programs complement one another, what obstacles arise during implementation, and which areas require additional measures.
Article:
https://chandlergovernance.com/governancematters/monitoring-reform-in-post-conflict-azerbaijan
PDF version of the journal:
https://downloads.chandlerinstitute.org/Governance-Matters-2026.pdf