IBM is expanding its partnership work with Azerbaijan’s government to bring blockchain technology to customs procedures, Central Asian-focused Trend News Agency reported on June 12. Following a reported deal with the country’s central bank in October 2018 — which should see blockchain deployed in various areas over a five-year period — IBM will now use the technology to target cargo transportation. The news came from Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee, the chairman of which, Safar Mehdiyev, spoke about the plans at a press conference during the ongoing IT/TI Conference and Exhibition of the World Customs Organization. “It will be possible to obtain the necessary information from the database online, without outside interference,” he explained. Mehdiyev added: “It will be useful for both entrepreneurs and customs authorities, as it will improve the quality of customs services provided.”

Blockchain’s potential in customs procedures has long been a source of interest for governments worldwide, including the United States, which last August launched a pilot scheme with the tech of its own.Baku, meanwhile, wants to further use the new tool beyond its borders, with Mehdiyev adding there were plans involving nearby Moldova and Ukraine, along with neighboring Georgia. “In this direction, we are implementing a project with Ukraine with the support of Georgia and Moldova,” Trend quoted him as adding. Another Azeribaijani government organ in the form of the justice ministry has also expressed interest in blockchain for its own processes, Cointelegraph reported late last year.

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The Project on “Strengthening Anti-Money Laundering and Asset Recovery in Azerbaijan” held its first Steering Committee Meeting on 30 May 2019. The meeting brought together representatives from 15 key beneficiary institutions to present the activities to be implemented under the project and discuss the expected results and timelines of the activities. The Steering Committee Meeting also emphasized the role of the committee members in facilitating efficient coordination during implementation of the project activities.

This project represents a continuation of actions to strengthen capacities to fight and prevent corruption (2015-2017) and to strengthen anti-money laundering (2018), implemented in the country within the first phase of the EU/CoE Partnership for Good Governance (PGG) programme.

Source: https://www.coe.int/en/web/baku/-/first-steering-committee-meeting-of-the-project-on-strengthening-anti-money-laundering-and-asset-recovery-in-azerbaija-1?fbclid=IwAR3LMDfdrYDLS8Hh66zX9fqYjCBNk-cC3-kLHRRVS6YpvqCzEaAmdzhovuw

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Committee on Legal Policy and State Building of the Milli Majlis (Milli Majlis) has held a meeting today.

Report informs citing the Milli Majlis that the bill «On Use of the Right to Legislative Initiatives by the Citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan» was discussed at the meeting. Chairman of the Committee Ali Huseynli said that the bill was prepared by a working group formed in the shortest time on the basis of the proposal from the public.

First, the information on the bill consisting of 10 items was heard at the hearing. It was noted that this document was prepared in accordance with the provisions envisaged in the Constitution of Azerbaijan and international experience on the relevant legislation was taken into consideration. The law defines the use of the right of legislative initiative by the Azerbaijani citizens and regulates the relations arising in this area.

Then MPs Azay Guliyev, Chingiz Ganizade, Fazail Aghamali, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, Elshan Musayev, Deputy Chairman of the Committee Malahat Ibrahimgizi and CEC representative Rovzat Gasimov made their proposals.

At the end, the bill was recommended to the plenary session.

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Starting from June 01, 2019, Open Government Platform: Azerbaijan together with the Anti-Corruption Commission of Azerbaijan Republic will start development of the new National Action Plan on Promotion of the Open Government.

The process of preparation of the new National Action Plan on Promotion of the Open Government will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the International Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative. The broadest public and civil participation will be provided for the preparation of the  National Action, public discussions and hearings, round tables will be held for involving all the stakeholders, including civil society organizations, Mass Media and citizens.Together with other partners, Open Government Platform: Azerbaijan will ensure the active involvement of all stakeholders in the process, disseminate information to them, organize dialogue, make suggestions and feedback, share them with all parties, and conduct effective and professional consultations. Open Government Platform: Azerbaijan invites all interested parties, civil society organizations, mass media and citizens to actively participate in this process and to contribute.

Additional information will be provided regarding these issues. You can follow the news at the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/opengovplatformaz/) and website (www.ogp.org.az) of the Platform.

We would like to mention that the International Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative suggested to Azerbaijan preparation of the Roadmap for development of the joint National Action Plan on Promotion of the Open Government of government and civil society. With initiative of the Open Government Platform: Azerbaijan the Working Group consisting of NGOs was created and the Roadmap was prepared and submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission of Azerbaijan Republic. The Anti-Corruption Commission of Azerbaijan Republic on its turn presented the Roadmap to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative.

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