Azerbaijan & Lao PDR: Collaboration Driving SDG Progress
In the global pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Azerbaijan and Lao PDR have forged a unique partnership, showcasing the power of collaboration in driving progress. Leveraging the Voluntary National Review (VNR) process, a cornerstone for the 2030 Agenda that empowers countries to assess their SDG implementation, these two nations with vastly different contexts have found common ground.
Azerbaijan, an upper-middle-income country in the South Caucasus, is preparing its fourth VNR, while Lao PDR, a country working towards graduation from Least Developed Country status in Southeast Asia, is undertaking its third. Engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector, VNRs foster a holistic understanding of a country's unique development landscape and progress towards the SDGs.
Despite their distinct socioeconomic realities, both countries have encountered similar obstacles in their pursuit of the SDGs. Notably, both have developed a bespoke SDG 18, highlighting the importance of addressing landmines and explosive remnants of war. For Lao PDR, SDG 18 aims to create "Lives safe from unexploded ordnance", while Azerbaijan's SDG 18 focuses on "Actions to combat mine threats". Both countries recognize that eliminating these threats is fundamental to progress across all SDGs.
This shared priority is fostering promising collaboration. At the High-Level Political Forum in New York, the countries will co-host a side event focused on SDG 18, to raise awareness that addressing this shared commitment is crucial for ensuring safe, inclusive, and sustainable development, and ultimately achieving the broader SDG framework for both countries.
Twinning: A unique opportunity for accelerated learning
Recognizing the value of shared experiences, Azerbaijan and Lao PDR participated in a "twinning" exchange facilitated by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Offices of the Resident Coordinators (RCOs) in both countries. This exchange allowed the two countries to compare innovative experiences in prioritizing SDG policies, organizing national institutions, and engaging stakeholders, leading to potential partnerships on critical issues such as digital public service delivery and national development planning.
For example, during the exchange, Azerbaijan's State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations (ASAN) shared its innovative service center model that provides a wide range of state services in a one-stop-shop manner. This inspired officials from Lao PDR to explore similar solutions, catalyzing follow-up discussions and workshops aimed at replicating ASAN's model in Lao PDR. These sessions, convened by ASAN and the Lao PDR Ministry of Foreign Affairs with support from the respective RCOs, also involved Ministries of Planning and Investment, Technology and Communications, and Home Affairs from Lao PDR.
The exchange provided valuable insights to Lao PDR on integrating SDG indicators into its upcoming ‘10th National Social Economic Development Plan’, addressing a key challenge identified in the mid-term review of the current ‘9th National Social Economic Development Plan’. The process brought together various parts of the UN system under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator (RC) to collaboratively develop a roadmap for incorporating SDG targets and indicators into the national planning process.
In turn, Azerbaijan gained a fresh perspective on engaging partners when formulating their VNR. Utilizing these insights, the RC, in collaboration with the Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of the National SDG Council, convened a public discussion on Azerbaijan’s fourth draft VNR. This discussion, which brought together government officials, the UN Country Team, development partners, academic institutions, and civil society organizations, contributed significantly to the inclusion of diverse voices in the development and finalization of the VNR.
The ongoing High-Level Political Forum provides a global stage for Azerbaijan and Lao PDR to showcase their VNR achievements and the results of their collaborative efforts. Their unique partnership demonstrates the power of shared learning and cross-regional collaboration in driving progress towards the SDGs. By harnessing the VNR process and embracing innovative approaches like twinning, these two countries are not only paving their own paths toward a sustainable future but are also inspiring others to forge partnerships that transcend borders and accelerate global development.
To learn more about the work of the UN in Azerbaijan visit azerbaijan.un.org. To learn more about the UN in Lao PDR visit laopdr.un.org
The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2024 is the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level.
