Kataloqun mündəricatı(/ts_gen/eng/feal/2007)

Two civil society institutions – Healthy Development and Education, and Democratic Reformist Youth – held a regular event in Shamakhy, a regional town some 140 km west away from Baku, in the framework of the Involvement of the Youth in EITI Processes component of the 2007 United Project of the Coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries.

Khachmaz, a regional town in the north-eastern part of Azerbaijan, recently hosted a roundtable in the framework of the united project of the coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries (ITEI) and a campaign known as Public Awareness and the Growth of the Interest of the Citizens in the Prudent Use of Oil Incomes.

A media forum was conducted in the framework of the Implementation of Media Forums in Baku and Regions component of the United Project of the Coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries. Members of the Coalition – Mr Sevgim Rahmanov, the chairman of the Union of Merchants and Consumers, and Nariman Agayev, the chairman of the Sustainable Development Research Center – answered the questions that had been raised by the audience. For its part, Markaz newspaper gave the coverage of the media forum.

A live radio debate was broadcasted on Diqqat Markazinda (in the focus) programme on Public Radio on July 25th 2007, in the framework of the Conducting a Radio Dialogue on the Prudent Use of Oil Incomes component of the United Project of the Coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries.

1. Conducting of meetings in the media – Board member format: Oil Incomes and Azerbaijan literature (member of the Board, Ms Mehriban Vazir, and men of letters); on the eve of September 20th, a meeting with five board members on the Contract of the Century and Transparency of Oil Incomes; cleaning of oil-polluted areas by means of petrodollars (member of the Board, Mr Telman Zeynalov and member organizations of the Coalition with the focus on environmental issues)

A regular roundtable took place in the assembly hall of the House of Creative People in Shaki, a regional town some 370 km northwest away from Baku, in the framework of the united project of the coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries (ITEI) and a campaign known as Public Awareness and the Growth of the Interest of the Citizens in the Prudent Use of Oil Incomes.

The competition incorporates the following topics: 1) Transparency Initiative in the Extractive Industry of Azerbaijan: country experience and development outlooks; 2) Scenarios for the strengthening of the role of the Transparency Initiative in the Extractive Industry of Azerbaijan in the improvement of investment rating and business climate; 3) Transparency Initiative in the Extractive Industry of Azerbaijan and the corresponding means of raising public awareness; 4) The strengthening of the role of the Transparency Initiative in the Extractive Industry of Azerbaijan in the process of regional integration; etc.

Two civil society institutions – Healthy Development and Education (SIMIB), and Democratic Reformist Youth (DIGB) – on July 27th 2007 held a regular roundtable in Tovuz, a regional town some 440 km west away from Baku, in the framework of the Involvement of the Youth in EITI Processes component of the 2007 United Project of the Coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries. The event drew the attendance of some 20 young people, started at 10 am and lasted till the noon.

Balakan, a regional town in the north-western part of Azerbaijan, on July 22nd 2007 hosted a roundtable on the existing situation with the spending of petrodollars, in the framework of the Public Awareness and the Growth of the Interest of the Citizens in the Prudent Use of Oil Incomes component of the united project of the coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries (ITEI).

A live radio debate on oil incomes and international standards was broadcasted on Diqqat Markazinda (in the focus) programme on Public Radio on July 18th 2007, in the framework of the Conducting a Radio Dialogue on the Prudent Use of Oil Incomes component of the United Project of the Coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries. Participating in the programme in capacity of a guest was Mr Ilham Shaban, an expert in economics.

A live radio debate was broadcasted on Diqqat Markazinda (in the focus) programme on Public Radio on July 11th 2007, in the framework of the Conducting a Radio Dialogue on the Prudent Use of Oil Incomes component of the United Project of the Coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries. Participating in the programme in capacity of a guest was Mr Ilham Huseynli, an expert in economics and a member of the Board of the Coalition.

A media forum took place in Ganca on June 30th with participation of editors-in-chief of four newspapers – Novosti Gəncə (Ganca News), Gəncənin Səsi (Voice of Ganca), Qanun və İntizam (Law and Order), and Ruzigar (Wind). Also participating in the forum were members of the Board of the ITEI coalition – Mr Sabit Bagirov and Mr Oqtay Gulaliyev; a person in charge of organisation of round tables at universities in Baku and regions, Mr Ehtiram Ali; the co-ordinator for Ganca Regional Branch of the ITEI Coalition, Mr Aslan Valiyev; and prominent ecologist Mr Irsad Abbasov.

With the purpose of providing the coalition of civil society institutions of Azerbaijan, Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries, with opportunities for operation in 2007, a documentary, In the Realm of Oil and Billions – as part of the United Project in Regions series – has been planned for broadcasting and is on the air through financial support from the Open Society Institute – Assistance Foundation.

A round table took place at the Ganja Agricultural Academy on June 30th 2007 as part of the 2007 action plan of the coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries. Participating in the gathering were members of the Board of the ITEI Coalition – Mr Sabit Bagirov and Mr Oqtay Gulaliyev; the co-ordinator for Ganca Regional Branch of the ITEI Coalition, Mr Aslan Valiyev; member of the Board of the Ganca Regional Branch, Mr Irsad Abbasov; lecturer at Ganja State University, Ms Maleika Abbaszada; the chairman of the Children’s Fund, Mr Rovsan Novruzov; the chairman of the Ganja Branch of the Union of Merchants and Manufacturers, Mr Cabrail Mammadov; the chairman of the Ganca Regional Branch of the For the Sake of Civil Society NGO, Mr Vaqif Imanov; journalist from Baki Xabar (Baku news) newspaper, Mr Ruslan Xalill; a person in charge of organisation of round tables at universities in Baku and regions, Mr Ehtiram Ali; and members of the teaching staff and representatives from students’ circles at the university.

A radio debate – part of the United Project’s component The Efficient Use of Oil Revenues – was life broadcasted on Public Radio’s Diqqət Mərkəzində (in the spotlight) programme on June 27th 2007, at 5:10 pm. Mr Inqilab Ahmadov, a member of the Board of the Coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries, was a programme guest.

A round table took place in Barda, a town in the central part of Azerbaijan, on June 27th 2007, in the framework of the ITEI United Project’s component known as the Enhancement of Citizens’ Awareness of and Interest for the Effective Use of Oil Revenue. The topic of the gathering was as follows: Oil Revenues and the Issues of the Effective Use of Them. Participating in the gathering were some 30 civil activists – all based in Barda – from NGOs and charity organisations, including UK’s Oxfam, as well as from Inkişaf üçün Maliyyə (development for finance) microfinance organisation, and Mr Asgar Ahmad, the coalition’s co-ordinator in charge of the corresponding issues and the head of the Fund for the Protection of Democratic Values, and Mr Vuqar Bayramov, PhD in Economics, a speaker from the Centre for Social and Economic Development.

A radio debate – part of the United Project’s component The Prudent, Efficient Use of Oil Revenues – is life broadcasted on Public Radio’s Oil Revenues and Economic Development programme.

Two civil society institutions Healthy Development and Education (SIMIB) and Youth Democrats Reformists (DIMIB) held a round table in Barda, a town in the central part of Azerbaijan, on June 16th 2007, in the framework of the Youth Involvement in EITI Processes project of the coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries.

The second radio debate has been conducted on Public Radio in the framework of the ITEI United Project’s component The Holding of the Radio Dialogue on Oil Revenues and the Efficient Use of Petrodollars. The programme guests – Mr Azar Mehdiyev, the editor-in-chief of Ekspert journal, and Mr Cumsud Nuriyev, the former MP – touched, from the point of view of Oil Revenues and Government Spending, upon the issues of the effect of oil proceeds on the state budget, the manifestation of such an impact on the standard of living of the population, the ways of and scenarios for the expenditure of petrodollars for the development of the sectors of education, health, etc.

A regular round table took place in Mingacevir, the biggest town in the central part of Azerbaijan, on June 10th 2007, in the framework of the component of the ITEI Coalition’s United Project on Enhancing Public Awareness of and Interest for the Effective Use of Petrodollars.

The first broadcasting has been aired on Public Radio in the framework of the component of the United Project known as The Holding of the Radio Dialogue on Oil Revenues and the Efficient Use of Petrodollars. The programme guest, Mr Sabit Bagirov gave the audience an insight into his persona views and opinion concerning the topic of Oil Revenues and Economy. On the programme, the coverage of the discussed issues included those concerning the probability of scenarios for the impact of the revenues, to be generated by Azerbaijan on the implementation of the production-sharing agreements effective since 1994, on the state of the entire economy in general, as well as the possible negative effect of oil windfall on the economy of the country, and the ways of development of the non-oil sector through the effective use of oil revenues, etc.

Two civil society institutions Healthy Development and Education (SIMIB) and Youth Democrats Reformists (DIGIB) on June 6th 2007 held a seminar with young people in Oguz district, as part of the united project Involvement of Young People in EITI Processes implemented by the coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries. During the seminar, participants were given portable calendars, notebooks and pens bearing the logos of the ITEI coalition, SIMIB and DIGIB organizations. Also in the course of the event, the walls of the seminar room were hung on with writing pads, as well as instructional sheets, bearing the logos of the ITEI coalition, SIMIB and DIGIB, with information about revenues and expenditures of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ). All appliances were prepared by the ITEI coalition. The seminar made the focus on four major components.

The Azerbaijan University of Languages hosted a round table on the topic International Transparency Initiatives and Azerbaijan. Participating in the meeting were Mr Sevgim Rahmanov, a member of the Board of the Coalition and the chairman of the Union of Merchants and Manufacturers, Prof. Fuat Rasulov, a member of ITEI and the head of the Centre for Economic and Business Studies and Education, Mr Ehtiram Ali, a person in charge of organisation of round tables at universities in Baku and regions, and members of the teaching staff and representatives from students’ circles at the university. A round table Social Effects as a Consequence of the Implementation of BTC and South Caucasus Gas Pipeline took place at Azerbaijan Technical University on May 31st 2007. The meeting took place as part of the 2007 action plan of the coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries. Participating in the meeting were members of the Board of the ITEI Coalition – Mr Telman Zeynalov, Mr Oqtay Gulaliyev, Mr Ilham Husseinli, Mr Ramiz Baxsiyev, as well as Mr Ehtiram Ali, a person in charge of organisation of round tables at universities in Baku and regions, and members of the teaching staff and representatives from students’ circles at the university.

Azarbaycan (Azerbaijan) University hosted a round table on the Impact of Petrodollars on the Economy of Azerbaijan. The gathering took place as part of the 2007 action plan of the coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries. Participating in the meeting were Prof. Fuat Rasulov, a member of ITEI and the head of the Centre for Economic and Business Studies and Education, Mr Mahir Ibrahimov, the vice chancellor for educational affairs, and Mr Ehtiram Ali, a person in charge of organisation of round tables at universities in Baku and regions, and 48 academics and students.

Round tables were hosted at two universities on May 17th pursuant to the 2007 action plan of the Coalition Increasing Transparency in Extractive Industries. At Azerbaijan State Economic University, the topic of the gathering was Oil Revenues and the Effective Use of Petrodollars. The conference was organised in the framework of the Coalition’s 2007 annual action plan. Participating in the meeting were Mr Azar Mehdiyev, PhD in Economics, a member of the ITEI Coalition and the editor-in-chief of the Ekspert (expert) journal, Mr Ali Haciyev, the dean of the university department on the Economics of Industries and Services, and Mr Ehtiram Ali, a person in charge of organisation of round tables at universities in Baku and regions, and the representatives of the teaching staff, students, and members of the Coalition. At Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University, the meeting took place around the topic of the State of Environment in EITI Principles. Participating in the gathering were Mr Telman Zeynalov, DPhil in Technical Sciences and a member of the Board of the Coalition, Prof. Habib Ocaqov, DPhil in Technical Sciences and the head of the department of Emergency Situations and Life Safety, Mr Safi Daniyalov, PhD in Technical Sciences and deputy dean, as well as other members of the Board of the Coalition, representatives of the teaching staff, students, and Mr Ehtiram Ali, a person in charge of organisation of round tables at universities.

The Committee on Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ("EITI") established by the Government of Azerbaijan to implement its obligations taken at the conference on EITI held in June 2003 in London, on 24 August, 2007 announced the release of the Government’s sixth EITI report (Jan-dec 2006 assertion) audited by Moore Stephens, the independent Aggregator. The release is accompanied by the Aggregator’s opinion based on individual submissions of extractive industry companies participating in the EITI process in Azerbaijan.

The ITEI coalition of civil society institutions considers that the disclosure of the results of the audit under the 6th report is a significant occasion, and assesses this as a next important step by the Government of Azerbaijan, in conjunction with oil & gas companies operating in the country, forward to enhancing the transparency in extractive industries. Alongside with all mentioned above, the ITEI Coalition, as a party to the Memorandum of Understanding, which, on the side, incorporates the State Commission and multinational petroleum majors, has arrived at the following conclusions following an independent analysis of the results of the corresponding audit under the 6th report:

Report of the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan (host government) about aggregated receipts from the extractive industries   Reporting period: January-December, 2006