The governments of the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Azerbaijan recently wrapped up a two-day Ministerial Experience Exchange Forum in Baku, where representatives from the two explored strategic partnerships.
In Baku, set to host COP29 in November, leaders participated in a series of ministerial dialogues as part of a program of more than 20 sessions and meetings.
It was shared that the forum aimed to promote bilateral cooperation and communication between government leaders and follows the signing of a strategic partnership between the two countries in 2022 to promote the exchange of government expertise across seven pillars, including:
- Government excellence,
- Government services,
- Capacity building,
- Competitiveness and statistics,
- Policies and strategies,
- Government accelerators, and
- Government performance.
The forum covered key topics, including economic diversification & investment, ecology and green energy in relation to the pursuit of low-carbon economies, education, health, social well-being, public service and innovation, regulatory frameworks, and creating a business-friendly environment in both Azerbaijan and the UAE.
Discussions also touched on both the UAE’s hosting of COP28 and Azerbaijan’s preparations to host COP29 later this year.
In attendance as part of the UAE’s delegation was H.E. Ohood Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, who pointed to the world “entering a new era defined by new trends,” such as digitalisation, technological advancement, smart public services and government accelerators, and sustainability.
Elsewhere, H.E. Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, noted: “Economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UAE has reached new horizons, especially in the field of green energy. Our partnership represents a forward-looking, proactive approach to development in various areas of common interest.”