Istanbul, February 15-16 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD) has run the “Training Program on Municipal Enterprises for Local Authorities (MELA)" in Azerbaijan in collaboration with the Union of Municipalities of Azerbaijan (AŞBMA), Kibar Holding, United Cities and Local Governments Middle East - West Asia Section and UCLG Eurasia Sections (UCLG-MEWA & UCLG-Eurasia), and Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) on 15-16  February 2021.

IICPSD’s MELA Training Program is structured as a rigorous technical modular seminar providing background on key concepts and recent trends in urbanization and describing how cities can be governed by an inclusive way, explaining different modalities of private sector engagement in basic municipal services and gives and comprehensive understanding of the legal framework while showcasing global good practices of MEs and potential financial instruments in these fields.

The training program was followed by representatives from local governments in Azerbaijan with interactive participation by the trainees and fruitful discussion sessions.

Mr. Sahba Sobhani, Director of IICPSD, Mr. Alessandro Fracassetti, Resident Representative of UNDP Azerbaijan, Mr. Temraz Tağıev, President of the Union of Municipalities of Azerbaijan, Mr. Fahri Solak, Secretary General of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities, Mr. Rasikh Sagitov, Secretary General of UCLG-Eurasia, Mr. Mehmet Duman, Secretary General of UCLG-MEWA,  Mr. Haluk Kayabaşı, CEO of Kibar Holding and Dr. Hayri Baraçlı, Member of the Presidency of Turkey Local Authorities Policy Board delivered keynote speeches at the opening ceremony.

IICPSD’s Urbanization Portfolio Lead Dr. Aslıhan Albostan moderated the Opening Ceremony and iterated that IICPSD will continue its effort to share identified good practices to harness the role of the private sector in inclusive urbanization under Private Sector Engagement through South-South Cooperation for the Sustainable Development Goals thematic area.

IICPSD’s Director Mr. Sahba Sobhani opened the first day by welcoming the keynote speakers and attendees while highlighting IICPSD’s role, its thematic areas, the MELA trainings conducted earlier and the contents, as well as the importance, of the MELA training program.

Mr. Alessandro Fracassetti, Resident Representative of UNDP Azerbaijan, stated that "Local Governments are closest to the people and understand communities best. They have a crucial role to play in all areas of development to leave no one behind."

The President of the Union of Municipalities of Azerbaijan, Mr. Temraz Tağıev indicated that the content of the training program is well-structured will be useful for the participants from the local authorities of Azerbaijan to learn more on the role of private sector in local services to provide more inclusion and sustainability in service delivery. Mr. Tagıev iterated his will  to collaborate with UNDP and UCLG on future projects.

Mr. Fahri Solak, Secretary General of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities mentioned that Turkish Union of Municipalities has 30 member countries  from the Turkish World and he expressed his interest to run this useful program for the other member countries and continue collaboration with UNDP IICPSD.

Secretary General of United Cities Local Governments, Eurasia Section (UCLG-Eurasia), Mr. Rasikh Sagitov indicated the importance of the provision of municipal services for local authorities, while mentioning the increasing role of the PS in municipal service provision and the importance of #MEs.

Mr. Mehmet Duman, Secretary General of United Cities Local Governments, Middle East & West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA), pointed out that SDGs identify that development of local authorities are much more vital in achieving the 2030 Agenda, while highlighting #SDG11, which aims to create cities and human settlements which are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. 

Mr. Haluk Kayabaşı, CEO of Kibar Holding suggested all private sector actors should consider sustainability as a management paradigm and integrate economic, environmental, and social factors wit corporate governance principles and evaluate them in all its applications, activities and decision mechanisms.

Member of Presidency of Turkey Local Authorities Policy Board, Dr. Hayri Baraçlı emphasized the importance of know-how and experience sharing to achieve the UN 2030 Agenda and provide inclusive local management.

Following a well-attended opening ceremony, the training had started with the “Local Authorities in Azerbaijan – Current Situation Analysis” module led by the Secretary General of Union of Municipalities in Azerbaijan (ASBMA). The training continued by our distinguished instructors’ modules on localizing SDGs, the role of private sector in development, establishing municipal enterprises and their financing mechanisms, impact investing and alternative financing mechanisms and integrity risks and risk management.

IICPSD’s thematic area Private Sector Engagement through South-South Cooperation for achieving the SDGs supports companies in tailoring their business models to respond to development needs by identifying and promoting best practice. Within this frame IICPSD will continue its effort to raise awareness on the role of private sector for inclusive urbanization by conducting its MELA training program in global south.

For any inquiries, please contact:

Evrim Ayana Karslı, ayana.karsli@undp.org