Within the framework of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, a resolution initiated by Azerbaijan titled "Promoting human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals through transparent, accountable, and efficient public services delivery" has been adopted unanimously.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to the main co-sponsor countries – Türkiye, Georgia, Ecuador, Kenya, Malaysia, and Thailand - the resolution was joined by European Union member states, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, and several other states representing the African, Asian, and American continents as national co-sponsors, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as a group.
The objective of proposing the resolution is to promote within the UN system the principle of "transparent, accountable, and efficient delivery of public services," which is based on the "ASAN Khidmet" concept - one of our country's major achievements in the fight against corruption and a global brand for Azerbaijan.
The adopted resolution emphasizes the importance of efficient public services in protecting and promoting all human rights and in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Agenda.
The resolution draws attention to the vital role played by digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in preventing and combating corruption, ensuring equal delivery of public services to everyone, and the significance of public services in the context of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
The document establishes the "UN Public Service Award," which was presented to "ASAN service" in 2015, as the world's most prestigious award in the field of public service delivery. At the same time, it calls upon UN agencies and other international organizations to continue promoting and rewarding successful existing practices in this field.
The resolution also decides to hold a panel discussion at the 65th session of the Human Rights Council on the role of public service delivery, including in the contexts of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, in promoting and protecting human rights, as well as in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The unanimous adoption of this current resolution, proposed based on previous resolutions (No. 37/7 and 52/8) adopted by consensus by the UN Human Rights Council in 2018 and 2023 at Azerbaijan's initiative, and the fact that a large number of states joined as co-sponsors, is a clear indication of the international community's support for our country's positive experience and its leading international role in the transparent, accountable, and efficient delivery of public services.
