Public Unions Coalition of  “Improving Transparency in Extractive Industries” has held a conference on topic “Implementation of EITI in Azerbaijan: retrospective view to a 5 years period” by financial support of  Norway Kingdom Embassy in Azerbaijan in 17th June 2008 at the Irshad Hotel by participation of local and international companies. Chairman of National Government Commission on EITI and executive director of the Oil Fund Shahmar Movsumov, ambassador of Norwegian Kingdom in Azerbaijan John Ramberg, representatives of oil-gas companies worked in Azerbaijan, World Bank’s and OSI’s( Open Society Institute) representatives  were participating in the conference.

The Council member of EITI  Fagan Aliyev and ambassador of Norwegian Kingdom in Azerbaijan John Romberg made an opening speech in the conference. Jon Romberg has drawn attention in his speech to the importance of a dialogue between government and civil society.
Later Chairman of National Government Commission on EITI Shahmar Movsumov spoke about profits and achievements gained in implementation of EITI in Azerbaijan last 5 years. Making his attitude to discussed new initiatives and ideas, drew attention to international estimating process that will be held in Azerbaijan. Shahmar Movsumov noted that this process is being formed by severe and serious discussions and mentioned that all these achievements are estimated worthy in an international level. He showed as example a reward that UNO gave to State Oil Fund for Transparency in State Service. Shahmar Movsumov notified that they work on admission of  EITI’s resolution that was represented to UNO by Azerbaijan Government.
Council Coordinator of EITI NGO Coalition Gubad Ibadoglu spoke about civil society’ s participation in implementation of EITI in Azerbaijan. First of all Gubad Ibadoglu informed participants about Coalition’s mission, strategic goals, and program activity that was considered for current year. Later he attracted participants attention to Coalition’s anxiety. He mentioned that, there is passiveness in civil society in admitting public resolutions, an interest of government and extractive industry companies is decreasing to EITI, there is no previous intensity in contacts with civil society, there is a danger to lose potential created in last years because, donors do not support civil society as before, there is no direct line between EITI and enhancing transparency whole in Azerbaijan. Currently dependence from mineral resources growing in Azerbaijan, investment condition becomes worse, competition ability of national economy gets bad, social difference is increasing in society and corruption is rising. He offered to create a constant active body of interest groups  (government-companies- coalition of civil society institutions), to broaden indicator lists that show report forms, to apply individual explanation of companies by proper changes in memorandum, to broaden reporting in other spheres of extractive industries, extractive industry companies should pass an audit.
After statements discussions had started, during discussions chairman of  Committee  of Oil-men Rights Protection Mirvari Gahramanli informed that they had set up a productive partnership with State Oil Fund.
Chairman of Center of Assistance to Free Economy Zohrab Ismayil informed that, activity of national commission on EITI is in formal character, works done in this direction are quantity charged. In spite of Azerbaijan is a leader country for reporting, there are no any change in its quality, and it is not seem to be any difference between first and last report.
Chairman of Economic and Political research center Sabit Bagirov drew attention to two aspect during his speech, he noted that, first of all, to support EITI by Norwegian Government and to join this process is a significant happening, second, to realization of EITI++ initiative can make quality differences in works done in this direction.

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Last correction date of the file: 24/7/2008 - 15:22:21