For information only - not an official document
UNIS/OUS/039
29 June 2010
Energy, Environment Top UNIDO-Azerbaijan Cooperation List
VIENNA/BAKU, 29 June (UN Information Service) - The Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Kandeh K. Yumkella, said today that energy and environment remained a priority area of cooperation with Azerbaijan.
"While all three UNIDO thematic priorities are promoted in the region, energy and environment remains the priority thematic area," said Yumkella who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan.
Aside from energy and environment, UNIDO's two other thematic priorities include trade capacity-building and poverty reduction through productive activities.
This year, UNIDO will launch a US$2 million project in Azerbaijan on persistent organic pollutants that will be funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF). As one of the major implementing agencies for GEF, UNIDO assists developing countries and countries in transition in addressing energy and climate change issues, especially in the field of industrial energy efficiency, renewable sources of energy, persistent organic pollutants and ozone depleting substances.
"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. We are also looking at designing regional programmes that would focus on trade capacity-building, investment and technology promotion, corporate social responsibility, quality and standardization," said Yumkella.
He added that in the area of trade capacity-building, UNIDO can help comply with international agreements, in particular of the World Trade Organization, as well as develop institutional capacities of public and private institutions that support enterprises in delivering higher quality competitive products.
During his visit, the Director-General was received by President Ilham Aliyev. He is also meeting the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Huseyn Bagirov; the Minister of Economic Development, Shahin Mustafayev; the Chairman of the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology, and Patents, Ramiz Hasanov; Deputy Foreign Minister, Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev; and Deputy Minister of Industry and Energy, Gulmammad Javadov.
The Director-General discussed a possible resource efficient and cleaner production programme for Azerbaijan that would target the non-oil sector.
UNIDO plans to launch a regional project on investment promotion in countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus region to stimulate foreign investment flows into productive sectors through better monitoring of investments, more effective management and governance, and better informed decision-making by private investors through better information.
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For further information, please contact:
Mikhail
Evstafyev
UNIDO Press Secretary
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-7329
Email:
m.evstafyev@unido.org
