During the last 10 years of presidency of President Ilham Aliyev there were great improvements in all areas in Azerbaijan. The main objectives of the country were solved on a large scale. A turning point occurred in the solution of hard problems like poverty, unemployment. All internally displaced persons settled in tent camps moved to new houses. The welfare of population, their social situation was much improved; the new roads and transport infrastructures were built along the country. Azerbaijan became the leading country in the region, the country’s military might rose to an unprecedented extent.
Having not satisfied with this success, in 2011, President Ilham Aliyev gave instructions to prepare conceptual document which will start the new stage of Azerbaijan’s development, having more ambitious targets. On the basis of the Decree of the Head of the State “Azerbaijan 2020: future vision” The Concept of Development was developed with the participation of relevant government agencies, research organizations and highly qualified specialists, as well as in cooperation with international organizations operating in the country.
The concept presented for an open discussion by observing democratic principles and the final document was formed taking into account the numerous comments and suggestions of stakeholders, including civil society organizations and citizens. In December 2012, the decision made for approval of “Azerbaijan 2020: future vision” The Concept of Development. This concept is a document defining the main directions of the development for the next eight years and goals set forth. The document launches a new phase of development of the country and the main purpose is to be included in the list of the world’s most developed countries in all indicators. As a result of the implementation of this concept in 2020 Azerbaijan will be politically and economically advanced and competitive country.
Thus, we can say that “Azerbaijan 2020: future vision” The Concept of Development is a document forming the basis of President Ilham Aliyev’s election platform, his works to be realized during the next presidential term, reflecting the reforms.
Set targets
The following targets are set within the President Ilham Aliyev’s strategic political course, the “Azerbaijan 2020: future vision” The Concept of development” which identifies main objectives of a new phase of development of the country:
• Even in the most remote villages, all communications (telecommunications, internet, banking, utilities, roads, etc.), health and education services will be provided required for convenient daily of need of citizens;
• GDP per capita will be increased by two times and reach $ 13,000;
• According to the World Bank classification of per capita Gross National Income Azerbaijan will take place as a full-fledged country among the “upper middle income countries”.
• At present the main reason of being among this group of countries- the dependence on hydrocarbon exports will be eliminated;
• On the basis of the classification of United Nations Development Program’s Human Development Azerbaijan will rise to the top positions in “high human development” countries’ group;
• The country will rise up to status of high competitive stakeholder in development in the system of international economic relations in terms of region’s economic leading countries;
• Non-oil exports per capita will reach USD 1000
A new economic model to be formed
One of the directions set by President Ilham Aliyev to achieve targets in the next eight years is to form an economic system functioning with high efficiency in the country and able to compete on a global scale.
For this purpose, coordination of macroeconomic policy will be strengthened, optimal macro-monetary framework in terms of the financial stability will be formed and adequate macro-fiscal policy will be conducted.
Proper allocation of budget funds and enhancing the efficiency and cost will be under a special attention.
Mechanism of using of oil and gas revenues will be improved. The strategy of gradual replacement of the income earned on sale of hydrocarbons with the 14 percent revenues from investment of such funds will be implemented.
As an important requirement of the export-orientation of the economy, more flexible exchange rate policy will be implemented; the surplus on net international investment position will be protected.
The business environment will be further improved; investor protection mechanisms will be improved. Foreign trade procedures will be simplified, preferential loans for entrepreneurs will be increased. Customs and immigration procedures will be improved, and a fair competitive environment will be formed and other necessary reforms will be conducted.
Scientific potential and innovative activity will develop
According to the concept that determines the main directions of development of Azerbaijan by 2020, in order to ensure the country’s long-term sustainable economic development, to formulate “knowledge economy”, to speed up the creation of scientific technology, products (works, services), the expansion of innovative activities will be one of the main directions. In this regard, the development of science, taking into account local characteristics and global trends will be prioritized and effective integration process in the progressive world science will be continued.
Within the framework of the concept the scientific infrastructure will be improved, the material-technical base of science will be modernized and transformation of information systems in this field in electronic form will be provided.
The financing of the science, in addition to resources of state budget will encourage the involvement of other sources, which will ultimately strengthen the social protection of employees, including young people engaged in scientific activity, and prevent “brain drain” to foreign countries;
-Relationship between science and production will be improved in order to create innovative economy in the country;
-A favourable environment will be formed for the development of innovative activities and products;
-Industrial parks and innovation zones to be established for development and application of scientific products and technologies;
-Using the advanced world experience the formation process of a national innovation system will be completed in the coming year in Azerbaijan, in accordance with the requirements of information society, ensuring the use of new knowledge and technologies, and its dissemination.
Protection of the environment will be one of the main priorities
As a continuation of the policy of President Ilham Aliyev during the past 10 years making a turning point in environmental protection and improvement of the environmental situation one of the main targets in “Azerbaijan 2020: Future vision” The concept of development is to achieve sustainable socio-economic development.
According to the concept necessary measures for biodiversity conservation, neutralizing the negative impact of fuel-energy complex on the environment, prevention and protection sea and its area from pollution, restoration of the green areas and the effective protection and rehabilitation of existing resources will continue in the future;
As a result of afforestation and rehabilitation of forest areas, the proportion of the total land area will be increased, road protecting green lines will be build;
National standards on emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere will be developed and applied in accordance with the European standards;
Saving raw materials, efficient use of natural resources and waste disposal with the purpose of protection of the environment, recycling, re-use, as well as necessary works to be done for application of low-waste and non-waste technologies;
Advanced methods will be used in the field of waste management; facilities will be established for recycling of industrial and household waste;
The flood zones with emergency situations that may occur will be determined;
Predictions will be made on a regular basis for the use of the relevant institutions;
The prevention of desertification with the aim of management of land resources, the restoration of the land became unfit as a result of operation of large industrial and mining companies, works to be done to improve the use of agricultural lands will be expanded;
During construction-accomplishment works carried out in the capital and other parts of the country, both public and private sector and at measures implemented in all areas of the economy development the environmental protection requirements will be in the forefront;
Reforms in the field of housing and communal services will be carried out, the population access to water services and sewerage system will be improved, water treatment facilities will be provided in cities and towns;
Steps will be taken towards the improvement of environmental legislation in line with international best practice, establishment of an effective monitoring and control mechanisms.
Building of new homes for IDPs will continue
“Azerbaijan 2020: future vision”. Being as a part of the program aimed at strengthening of social protection of the population in the Concept of development the measures aimed at improving the living conditions of internally displaced persons are expected to continue, too.
Under the program, the improvement of the living conditions of internally displaced persons, construction of new houses and settlements for these purposes will be continued;
Social infrastructure in areas densely populated by internally displaced persons will be improved;
New jobs will be created in order to increase employment;
Provision of micro-credits, support for internally displaced youth, vocational training, and so on measures will be continued;
The community development related to IDP, expansion of education, health programs, construction of new buildings for education and health care facilities operating in unsuitable buildings and equipping will be carried out;
Jointly with the international financial institutions, the United Nations agencies, in particular the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other international humanitarian aid agencies, the Great Repatriation (“Great Return”) program will be prepared , and the public will be informed on it at a regular basis;
The non-oil sector will be developed further
One of the directions aimed at achieving targets of building of a high competitive economy in the next eight years in the country under the “Azerbaijan 2020: future vision” The Concept of development” to be implemented under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev is the improvement of the structure of the economy and development of non-oil sector.
During the period covered by the concept the construction, reconstruction and modernization of oil and gas production, transportation and processing systems is planned. SOCAR’s investment activities, including investments in foreign countries are expected to increase even more. It will increase the role of factor of confidence in the country’s energy policy and serve to strengthen relations with global energy markets.
In order to develop the non-oil sector using of natural and economic resources of the country will be expanded;
Promotional events will be carried out on the use of alternative (renewable) energy sources;
Production, social and market infrastructure network contributing to the development of non-oil sector and meeting modern requirements;
New industries based on local raw materials will be established in the regions;
The steel production, oil and gas, refining and petrochemical complexes, fertilizer, shipbuilding and cement plants will be built in country;
Aluminium industry will be developed, production of primary aluminium will be increased, with the participation of the private sector the technological chain in the production of the final product will be installed, the export potential of this sector will be expanded;
Application of innovative technologies in industry will be encouraged; specialized and general-purpose industrial camps will be established;
Industrial town infrastructure for economic regions will be formed; the state will continue its investment in this area;
The incentive mechanisms to increase attraction of domestic and foreign investment in non-oil sector will be applied;
Tourism infrastructure will be developed, the scope of services that meet international standards of tourism in this area be expanded and the share of this sector in GDP will be increased;
The production and processing of agricultural products will be increased, the current production capacity of agro processing enterprises will be increased and the enterprises established;
The state support of the agricultural sector will be continued;
The production of ecologically clean agricultural and food products in country will be encouraged;
In terms of intensive development of agriculture, the seasonal regulation of prices, crop damage prevention, the protection of the domestic market and the export potential, the storage facilities of the latest technologies will be continued to built in the areas.
Information and communication technologies will be developed
In the forthcoming eight years the base of new development stage of Azerbaijan will be the important tasks like full provision of development of IT technologies and transition to informative society.
According to the concept, ICT infrastructure will be developed in the coming years, facilities of modern e-services for the population will be increased, access to broadband, low-cost and high-quality Internet, including in the villages of the country will be provided;
A wide range of the application of distance learning, e-commerce, televised-medicine, and other modern types of services will be achieved;
The use of ICT in the regions will be expanded, digital training of the population and level of integration in the global information space will be upgraded;
Appropriate measures will be carried out on the development of the space industry. As a result of the launching of geostationary telecommunication satellites into orbit, reliable satellite communications will be provided and thus the information security of the country will be strengthened;
At the same time, launching of low orbit satellites into orbit is assumed that in turn will make more efficient the protection of the environment, agriculture, topography and cartography, as well as activities in the field of national security;
In order to ensure access of country into ICT services market in the region the projects like installation of transit information highways, regional information resources and network management systems will be realized;
The process of formation of “E-government” will be accelerated;
The integration of the state information resources and systems will be provided on the basis of uniform technological standards and a unified information space will be formed;
Ensuring information security, prevention of global cyber attacks in the internet traffic entering the country, protection of information processes, protection of information resources and systems of government bodies from possible threats, raising public awareness in the field of cyber security, and national preparedness will be at the focus of attention;
The staff training on ICT will be improved, effective counter-measures will be taken to prevent “brain drain” from the country.
Transport, transit and logistics infrastructure will be improved
The concept that determines the main directions of the development of Azerbaijan for next eight years covers the effective using of strategic geographic position of the country for transformation of country to the region’s commercial centre.
Transit and transport services will be further developed for this purpose. Logistics centres will be established in regions of the country;
Domestic and international transportation management mechanism will be improved;
Integration of the transport system of the country to the international transport system will be expanded;
The quality of public transport services will be increased;
In order to increase the competitiveness of Azerbaijan the costs for transportation on Europe-Caucasus-Asia and North-South international transport corridors through territory of the country will be reduced;
Measures will be taken to shorten the time spent on import, export and transit operations and border crossing procedures will be simplified;
Construction of the new Baku International Sea Trade Port Complex will be completed, the marine fleet will be renewed, transport and logistics centres will be established;
Baku-Boyuk Kesik, Baku-Astara and Baku-Yalama railway lines will be reconstructed and modernized, in accordance with the policy of diversification of the railway network the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will be opened;
Highways on East-West and North-South transport corridors will be expanded, the projects of reconstruction and construction of roads of international importance will be completed, the road and transport infrastructure of country will be brought into conformity to international standards;
Roads with gravel cover gradually will be replaced by solid surface roads in the road transport area, reconstruction and expansion of roads of the republican and local importance, including roads in the cities, towns and rural roads will be continued. The construction of new roads will be carried out basing on the principle of ensuring the safety of population, and mainly with the construction of first-class roads;
The public transport system of the capital, regions, other cities, towns and villages in will be developed;
Baku Metro will be rapidly developed and expanded in the period covered by the concept and new stations will be built and the car park will be renewed;
The new terminal complex, runway and hangars will be commissioned at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, a free trade zone will be created in the area, and works on other international airports and air fleet renewal will be continued. Moreover, other measures will be implemented in the transport sector.
Education reforms will continue
One of the programs aimed at human capital development for the next eight years in Azerbaijan plans to continue the education reforms in country and the formation of the modern education system in country. This program is quite comprehensive, and its main provisions are as follows:
In 2013-2020 the share of total amount of funds allocated to the education sector in GDP will be increased year by year and reached the level of developed countries;
Improvement of management in education will be continued;
Enrolment rate of children in pre-school education in the country will reach the level of European standards;
Construction and repair of schools will continue;
Transition to 12-years public education system will be provided;
Education at full secondary level will be organized;
Developing individual programs for gifted children will be created;
Vocational education infrastructure will be thoroughly modernized;
The number of people involved in vocational education will be increased, and will be matched with demand for the country’s economy;
Taking into account the development of the region and needs in experts, measures will be taken towards the establishment of a regional multi-profile colleges; to improve the quality of education the creation of education complexes training the specialists on vocational, specialized secondary and higher educational levels of the education systems will be ensured ;
University campuses for higher education institutions (campus) and the relevant industrial parks will be established.
During 2013-2020 the State program on informatization of the education system in the Republic of Azerbaijan will be accepted. As part of the State program all educational institutions (including schools located in remote regions) will be provided with internet access. Every classroom in secondary schools will be provided with laptops, projectors and electronic board, all pupils studying will be provided with netbook or Tabs under the “1 pupil – 1 computer” program;
Special emphasis will be given to the strengthening of teacher training;
Improvement of Azerbaijani teachers will be matched with international standards of teachers, financial incentive measures aimed at provision of teaching staff in remote rural school will be strengthened;
The integration of the Azerbaijani education into world and European education space will be strengthened;
By 2015, the number of students studying in the prestigious universities of foreign countries on state line will be increased significantly, the effective use of potential of specialists studied and graduated abroad in the development of country will be provided;
A new State Program on education of young people in foreign countries for the years 2015-2020 will be adopted;
Legislative and structural reforms will continue
In order to achieve objectives stipulated in the development concept for the next eight years in Azerbaijan the actions are planned for legislation improvement and strengthening the institutional capacity.
Effective principles of state regulation providing healthy competition in the improving of conditions of market economy will be taken as basic in legislation;
Improving the business environment, the priorities of brining the national legislation in conformity to the requirements of the international trading system will be at the focus;
Discipline and control system will be strengthened in order to ensure the implementation of the rule of law;
The legislation will be improved, effective measures will be taken against piracy and infringement of intellectual property rights, including contrafaction;
The establishment of the law enforcement agencies as per modern requirements, guided by the principles of openness and transparency in their activities will be provided;
Court infrastructure will be improved;
Strengthening the institutional capacity to meet targets within the terms of the concept in itself will include three main directions: development of human resources in the public sector, expansion of “e-government” activities, the continuation of institutional reforms.
Measures will be taken for strengthening of social protection and social security system of civil servants, the expansion of anti-corruption measures, to strengthen the capacity of municipalities and training of municipal administration specialized personnel, non-governmental organizations, in particular, to support the activities in the regions;
Special attention will be paid to the distribution of public resources among public services considered as priority, efficient and rational use;
In accordance with the principles of equality, impartiality and openness as an important part of democratic and transparent governance, the access of citizens to information disseminated by state will be increased;
According to the concept, complex measures to be continued on improvement of the methods and mechanisms of governance of state bodies, a simple, easy and free use of civic and service organizations.
Health care reform will continue
The principle taken by President Ilham Aliyev over the past 10 years in the “Azerbaijan 2020: future vision”, the Concept of Development – human capital development will be a priority in the new stage of the development of the country. Multi-faceted events for continuation of the reform of the health care system in this regard, bringing this field to the level of developing countries of the world will be realized.
According to the concept, the share of health expenditures in GDP will be increased dynamically, the mechanisms ensuring efficient and effective use of these funds will be developed;
Construction of medical facilities, major repairs and reconstruction, their equipment with modern medical equipment will be continued;
Health care reform will continue on planned base;
Compulsory health insurance will be made and on its basis the control mechanisms on quality of medical care, protecting the rights of patients will be improved;
The transition from medicine oriented on in-patient care to medicine with priority of the primary medical-sanitary aid will be realized, conditions will be created to expand family physician practice;
The struggle against social diseases (diabetes, haemophilia, thalassemia, oncological diseases, immune prophylaxis, haemodialysis, tuberculosis, AIDS, etc.) by the state, preventive measures for the rehabilitation of the population, sanitation education works, struggle against drug addiction, alcoholism and smoking will be carried out by various state programs;
Preventive measures against infectious diseases will be strengthened, for this purpose Development Program of sanitary-epidemiological service for the period of 2015-2020 will be prepared;
The Specific Strategy will be adopted for years 2013-2020 to combat non-infectious diseases (smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, alcohol abuse, etc.);
The State Program will be adopted for years 2013-2020 on improvement maternal and infant health, preventive examinations and dispenserization among children and adolescents will be strengthened;
The National Action Plan (2014-2020 years) will be prepared early prevention and treatment of childhood disability, children’s health care enterprises will be profiled for the improvement of in-patient services;
The necessary measures will be taken to make vital medicines physically and economically accessible for all population groups;
Improving staffing in the field of health will be at focus as the most important issue, the relevant mechanisms will be established for permanent improving of knowledge and skills of medical specialists, including training in foreign countries will be arranged;
The relevant work to be done for creation of relevant living conditions for doctors and paramedical staff working in rural areas and promotional financial security mechanisms will be defined;
The measures will be taken for application of the principle of estimation of labour of the medical staff according to latest results;
Social protection system will be improved
In the development concept of Azerbaijan for the next eight years, like in the last 10 years, social policy will prevail. The concept includes further strengthening of the social of protection and a separate program envisaging the formation of reliable social protection system in the country.
According to this program:
Measures for the organization of reliable social protection will be continued within the framework «State Program on development of insurance-pension system in 2009-2015 in the Republic of Azerbaijan”;
New state program will be prepared for further deepening of reforms in the pension for the years 2016-2020. Insurance-pension system will be improved even more; the introduction of voluntary social insurance and non-state pension funds issues will be resolved;
All procedures will be conducted in electronic form and there will be no need to submit any document for pension purposes;
Depending on the development of economy for raising the quality of life of working citizens the minimum wage amount will be gradually raised up to minimum living standards and norms fixed in the European countries – 60 percent of the amount of the average monthly salary;
The significant differences between the incomes of the population will be eliminated. The work in the field of ensuring safe and healthy working conditions of working citizens will be strengthened, the State Program for labour protection and improvement of labour conditions will be prepared;
A national information system in the field of labour and employment will be developed;
The social security system of the population will be further elaborated;
The number of social dwellings (houses) will be increased and legal basis for living of the vulnerable groups of people in these apartments will be created;
The social benefits will be increased. The system of benefits for families with children will be improved;
Procedure for determining the need for social assistance to low-income families will be improved; the limit of need criterion to the minimum living standards will be increases on a regular basis;
In addition to the existing targeted social assistance system, active social assistance programs (self support, privileged social lending) to be applied;
Additional support mechanisms to incomplete, poor, large families adopted children deprived of parental care will be established;
Special state programs, projects to strengthen social protection of persons with disabilities, elderly persons will be implemented. “State Program on strengthening of social protection of elderly citizens (2014-2020-years)” will be adopted.
The potential of youth and sport will continue to develop
“Azerbaijan 2020: Future vision” The Concept of Development also provides the continuation of policy of President Ilham Aliyev in the past 10 years focused on the development of potential of sport and youth.
Thus, to promote a healthy and active lifestyle of Azerbaijani youth and to ensure their integration in society:
The Azerbaijani Youth Development Strategy which covers the period 2013-2023 State Program for the years 2016-2020
The National Strategy on the development of physical culture and sport, which covers the period 2012-2020
The State Programme for the years 2013-2016 will be developed and implemented.
The legal normative base related to this field will be improved on regular basis, the consultative body – Councils consisting of youth under the Office of Heads of Executive Powers in regions (cities) will be established for support of youth, systematic development of physical culture and sport;
To meet the housing needs of young people and young families, the conditions of the social mortgage will be further improved;
Rest and training centres for youth, including youth with disabilities will be put into operation;
A network of information and consultancy services for young people, especially young people living in remote regions and rural areas will be expanded;
Employment of graduates, young professionals of foreign and local educational institutions in the regions of Azerbaijan and organization and application of additional social support mechanisms (increase of allowances and salary, providing them with service apartments, etc) will be provided;
The specialized training and sports facilities will be created for all of the sports federations, sports clubs (professional clubs), children and youth sports schools operating in the country as of 2020;
Works for strengthening of the material and technical basis of enterprises rendering social services to youths, as well as physical training and sports facilities will be continued, staff training issues will be improved even more, social protection of experts working in this field will be strengthened.
The gender equality and family development will be supported
The document covering main directions of a new stage in the development of Azerbaijan by 2020 the development of gender equality and family is under the focus, too.
According to the Concept of development the issues of gender equality in the country will be at the focus of attention, appropriate measures will be taken to solve this problem;
The main directions of the state policy in the field are the measures of prevention of gender-based violence, creation of equal opportunities for women and men in the labour market, the promotion of women in work, further enhancing the possibilities to hold office;
Strengthening of social protection of mothers and children, in accordance with ratified by the International Labour Organization “The Convention on Workers with Family Responsibilities” care for children of working parents, facilitating the increase in the number of kindergartens, as well as development of family planning services will be supported;
For the implementation of the given directions “Strategy for Azerbaijani family” National Action Plan on gender equality, the Children’s Code and the National Children’s Strategy will be developed;
At the same time, “Family psychologist” institutes, centres and shelters for victims of domestic violence, and monitoring system of violence in the country, school avoidance and cases of early marriage will be established.
Freedom of speech and press will be protected
Document that will form the basis of new stages in the development of Azerbaijan, the development of freedom of speech and media occupies a special place. In the next eight years the measures aimed at the development of freedom of speech and media will continue, and the national legislative framework regulating the activities of the information sector and mass media will be improved in line with international standards.
Full support will be provided for the strengthening of the economic independence of the mass media, increasing capacity and taking the leading position in the global information space;
Improving the quantity and quality of national information resources in the global network, strengthening of their coverage, expansion of capacity to influence international public opinion will be one of the most important tasks;
Implementation of legal, economic, organizational and technological measures directed at balancing of interests of person, society and state in mass media activity and provision of information security will be one of the main directions of the state’s information policy;
Besides stimulating new displays in the media sector, the state will continue its support to the effective organization of the activity of traditional information resources, the strengthening of its material and technical base;
According to the “Concept of state support for the development of the mass media in the Republic of Azerbaijan”, subventions, subsidies and preferential loans to be allocated for mass media through the State Support Fund for Mass Media Development under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in addition to their financing;
Targeted assistance will be provided to editorial offices in order to develop mass media functioning in regions of Azerbaijan;
The creation of “Press Houses», regional publishing houses will be supported;
In order to ensure the economic independence of mass media the expansion of the advertising market will be encouraged and the existing problems in this area would be eliminated;
Public policy related to strengthening of social protection of the employees of the media and settling of housing problems will be continued and other measures will be taken;
Civil society will be strengthened
A special place was given for development of democracy and civil society in the document covering the period by 2020. Thus, the rapid socio-economic development of Azerbaijan and securing of the national interests of Azerbaijan makes a necessity of the deepening of democracy, modernization of the relationship between the state and civil society institutions, stimulating the work of NGOs.
During implementation of the concept the development of civil society, the state policy towards improvement of co-operation between government agencies and civil society organizations will be continued;
“The National Action Program in the field of civil society development” will be prepared and implemented;
The reasonable proposals of the NGOs in connection with improvement of cooperation between the state and public organizations, alternative ways of solving existing problems in various areas of public life will be at the focus of attention;
Involvement of NGOs in the process of preparing important state programs and their active participation in the work of state commissions will be provided;
The potential of NGOs will be used more efficiently towards
delivery of our fair position in connection with the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Garabakh conflict to the international community and international organizations;
Donor activity of the private sector will be encouraged for the development of civil society;
Corporate Responsibility strategy and state programs will be developed, relevant amendments will be made to the legislation;
Implementation in view of civil society initiatives will deepen further the interaction between state agencies and NGOs;
The number of NGOs in region will be increased and its material & technical basis will be strengthened.
The protection of cultural heritage will on focus
The Concept of development of Azerbaijan for the next eight years includes the program for preservation of country’s rich cultural heritage and continuing the promotion in the world.
According to this program the necessary works are to be done for advocacy and promotion of our fine arts in the UNESCO, ISESCO, TURKSOY and other international organizations
The State Program for the period 2013-2020 on restoration and protection of immovable historical and cultural monuments, improvement of activities of historical and cultural reserves and its development will be adopted.
Measures for establishment of reserves of history and culture in historical areas of particular importance will continue, and activities towards including of the historical and cultural monuments of universal value by UNESCO in “World Heritage List” and by ISESCO in “World Islamic Heritage List” will be strengthened;
State Program on the research, preservation and promotion of the ‘Heritage of Caucasian Albania”, which covers the period 2013-2016, will be accepted;
Inventory of Azerbaijan’s cultural values, as well as other cultural heritage and samples of intellectual property preserved in museums, libraries and archives and considered as public wealth in centralized form, its legal protection and the exchange with relevant international organizations, as well as with relevant agencies of foreign states will be provided;
A special program and plan of action for popularization of Azerbaijani language, the culture and history in the world countries will be prepared and implemented;
Archeological studies will be expanded;
Repair and construction of museums, their material-technical base, and the creation of new museums will be continued;
The return of stolen goods from the museum in the occupied territories, the study of exhibits from the world museums and collection of materials proving its belonging to Azerbaijan will be under focus;
The relevant state programs on publishing of books will be prepared, the necessary works for development of library-information network, supply of library funds with literature and modern information carriers will be carried out.
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Biography
Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev was born on December 24, 1961 in Baku.
During 1967-1977 he studied at secondary school in Baku city.
In 1977, he was admitted in the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MSIIR).
After graduating from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1982, he entered the postgraduate of the same Institute.
In 1985 he defended his dissertation and was conferred the scientific degree of candidate of historical sciences.
During 1985-1990 he was a teacher at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.
During the period of 1991-1994 he engaged in the private business and led a number of private industrial-commercial enterprises.
From 1994 until August of 2003, he was Vice-President of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic, and later the first vice-president. He was actively involved in the implementation of “Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy”.
He is an author of numerous research works on geopolitical aspects of oil strategy of sovereign Azerbaijan. Doctor of Political Sciences.
Twice, in 1995 and 2000, he was elected as Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2003, in connection with the appointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, he terminated membership in the Parliament.
President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan since 1997. For his great contribution to the development of sport and the Olympic movement, he was awarded the highest order of the International Olympic Committee.
In 1999 he was elected the deputy chairman of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, in 2001 – the first deputy Chairman and in 2005- Chairman of the party.
During 2001-2003 he was the Head of the delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
On January 2003, he was elected Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and a member of the Bureau of PACE.
On August 4, 2003 after approval by the National Assembly, he was appointed Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
On October 15, 2003, he was elected President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. More than 76% of voters in the presidential election voted in favor of President Ilham Aliyev. Then, on October 31, 2003, he assumed the post.
In April 2004, for active participation in the activity of the PACE and commitment to European values he was awarded diploma of honorable member of PACE and the PACE medal.
In elections held on 15 October 2008, Ilham Aliyev won 88.73% of votes of voters and elected the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the second time. Then, on October 24, 2008, he assumed the post.
Fluent in Azerbaijani, Russian, English, French and Turkish languages.
Married, has three children and three grandchildren.
The medals, awards and honorary titles of the President Ilham Aliyev include:
• Order of Heydar Aliyev (Azerbaijan);
• Ihsan Dogramacı Prize for International Relations and Peace (Turkey);
• Order of Star of Romania (Romania);
• King Abdul Aziz Order (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia);
• Order of Honour (Georgia);
• “Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor” Order (France);
• Order of Sheikhulislam (Azerbaijan);
• Russian Orthodox Church first class Order “Prepodobniy Sergiy Radonejskiy”;
• “Grand Cordon” Order of Honor (International Military Sport Council);
• “Order of Honor” of the International Confederation of Sport Organizations of CIS countries;
• The highest “Sports Legend” Order of FILA Hall of Honor;
• Order of the Grand Cross Polish Republic “For Merits” (Poland);
• 1st degree Order of Prince Yaroslav Mudriy (Ukraine);
• “Mubarak Al-Kabeer” Order (Kuwait);
• Gold Medal of the Hellenic Parliament (Greece);
• “Honor” badge of the European Fair Play Movement;
• “Cavalier of Grand Cross” of “Three Stars” Order;
• Grand Cross rank of “Faithful Service” National Order (Romania);
• “Ismoili Somoni” Order (Tajikistan).
• Honorary Doctor of Lincoln University (USA);
• Honorary Doctor of the Moscow State University of International Relations;
• Professor of L.N.Gumilev – Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan);
• Honorary Doctor of Bilkent University (Turkey);
• Honorary Doctor of National Academy for Taxes (Ukraine);
• Honorary Doctor of Petroleum and Gas University of Ploesti (Romania);
• Honorary Professor of University of National and World Economy (Bulgaria);
• Honorary Doctor of Kyung Hee University (South Korea);
• Honorary Doctor of Jordan University (Jordan);
• Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences of the Corvinus University (Hungary);
• Honorary Professor of Moscow State University named after M.V.Lomonosov (Russian Federation);
• Honorary Doctor of the Kiev National University named after Taras Shevchenko (Ukraine);
• Honorary Professor of the Turkmenistan State University named after Mahtumgulu (Republic of Turkmenistan);
• Honorary Doctor of the Baku State University (Azerbaijan);
• Honorary Professor of the Belarusian State University (Belarus);
• Honorary Doctor of Ankara University (Turkey);
• Honorary Doctor of the University of Cukurova (Turkey).
