Energy and environment underpin UN industrial arm’s cooperation with Azerbaijan

Issues surrounding energy and the environment continue to be a priority area for collaboration between Azerbaijan and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the body’s head stressed today.

“UNIDO’s technical cooperation programmes are always based on a thorough understanding of the socio-economic context of the recipient country and are tailored to meet specific needs,” said the agency’s Director-General, Kandeh K. Yumkella, who is currently visiting the Central Asian nation.

UNIDO, he underlined, can help Azerbaijan in the area of capacity building in trade by helping the country comply with international agreements, especially with those of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It can also help the nation deliver high-quality products that are more competitive in the world market by supporting public and private institutions.

Mr. Yumkella said that the UN body is also looking into assisting Azerbaijan in the areas of investment and technology promotion, corporate social responsibility, and quality and standardization.

This year, UNIDO will launch a $2 million initiative – funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) – to combat persistent organic pollutants.

It also plans to unveil a regional project to stimulate investment in the Central Asia and Caucasus region by improving investment monitoring.

While in the country, the UNIDO chief discussed a new programme to boost the efficiency in the non-oil sector in his talks with President Ilham Aliyev, as well as other top officials.