UN Development Programme (UNDP)

The UNDP was established in 1965 and currently operates in 170 countries around the world. It works with local governments to solve the socio-economic problems of the countries in which it operates and to develop local capacity. The main objective of the organization is democracy, poverty reduction, crisis prevention, energy, ecology, gender equality and etc to assist countries in solving existing problems in the field. The budget of the program is formed through the voluntary contributions of UN member states. The director of the organization is Achim Steiner since 2017 (Brazil). UNDP's central office is located in New York.
UNDP representative office in Azerbaijan started its activity in autumn 1992. Since 2019, cooperation between UNDP and the Republic of Azerbaijan is carried out through a separate Resident Representative. At present, the UNDP Resident Representative for Azerbaijan is Alessandro Fracassetti.
UNDP supports the country's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to increase energy efficiency in the transport and construction sectors.
In accordance with the 2030 Agenda, UNDP supports the Government of Azerbaijan in nationalizing and prioritizing sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as adapting the country's national development plans to the SDGs.
In 2015-2020, The Project “National Action Plans" (NAMA) was implemented to reduce carbon emissions in the fuel consumption sector of Azerbaijan. The main executors of the project are UNDP and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The project was implemented with the financial support of the Global Environment Fund (GEF). The NAMA project supports energy-saving and low-carbon technologies in the country. The project is aimed at reducing the energy consumption of buildings, building energy efficient transport systems and ensuring access of rural communities to clean energy sources by covering three main areas. Within the project, 6 wind turbines and 63 kW solar panels were installed. Also, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is being promoted and expanded through pilot investments in relevant areas.
On July 3, 2019, a meeting was held with the delegation led by the Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP. At the meeting, presentations on reforms in the energy sector of Azerbaijan and regional and global projects implemented by UNDP in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency were made. On the basis of the analysis of potential opportunities, it was agreed to identify areas of cooperation in a short time.
On July 11, 2019, a meeting was held between the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Parviz Shahbazov and the delegation led by The Resident Representative of UNDP for Azerbaijan, Alessandro Fracassetti. During the meeting, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and UNDP signed a Protocol of Intent.
On January 27, 2020, a joint working group meeting was held at the Ministry of Energy to discuss cooperation within the framework of the reforms carried out in the energy sector of Azerbaijan. The delegation of the opposite side was chaired by the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Azerbaijan Charu Bist. At the meeting, cooperation in the preparation of normative and regulatory acts for a number of law drafted by the Ministry of Energy was discussed.