Role of think tanks in sustainable economic development; A Case of Azerbaijan

1. Role of think tanks in sustainable economic development; A Case of Azerbaijan Vugar Bayramov, CESD Azerbaijan May 26th2016 Astana , Kazakhstan

2. About CESD Research  Established in 2005 to research domestic economic and social issues to positively influence public policy decision-making processes and exchange knowledge among stakeholders Advocacy  Our staff consists of Western-educated economists and experts write policy papers and advocate for reform Training and Education  Public education, outreach and capacity building trainings, including seminars, conferences, and workshops on social and economic topics Member of: PASOS CIVICUS World Citizen’s Alliance EU Civil Society Forum NISPAcee Global Development Network Global Integrity International Studies Association Parliamentary Network on the World Bank Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development

3. Mission and Activities To promote public policy reform to address economic and social issues by providing: – Policy Papers to advise the government of Azerbaijan and neighbouring countries Capacity development for CSOs and public and private sectors Advocacy Campaigns to protect labour, social, and women’s rights Public Awareness raising regarding socioeconomic issues, such as poverty reduction and gender equality Policy and grassroots-level anticorruption reforms, mechanisms, programs and tools Monitoring of transparency initiatives and public finance – – – – –

4. Main Impacts • The Government of Azerbaijan approved 9 of CESD’s policy recommendations in 2015 United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with CESD Chairman Vugar Bayramov during her visit to Azerbaijan and showed support for CESD’s activities (2012) • United Nations Public Administration Division posted the CESD Anti- corruption Strategy in its official web-site on March, 2015 •

5. Main Impacts CESD reports have been referenced by numerous leading media institutions, universities and research centers, including but not limited to CNBC, Harvard University, International Energy Academy, and the Foreign Policy Journal • CESD has contributed to the economic section of Spotlight on Azerbaijan, a report published by the Foreign Policy Center (UK) •

6. Programs & Activities • Community Development Program (CESD is working in 24 communities in Azerbaijan) • Human Rights Defense Program (protecting social, labor and women rights) • SMEs Support Program • Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development • Visa Facilitation Program • Decentralization and Local Government • EU Integration and Regional Cooperation • Public Education Program - Working with different communities and groups • Anti-Corruption Program - Cooperating with different international organizations including Global Integrity

7. CESD included in Harvard University Directory Harvard University added the CESD to its official think tank directory, which is available on the university website: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/library/research/guides/think- tanks-directory.htm. The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University has released information about it.

8. Media Coverage  CESD has been targeted by radical groups  CESD has been seen as the promoter of ‘Conspirative Western ideas’

9. Reasons of Successes HOW, and WHY the government considered our project findings so serious?

10. CESD Methods -International and national advocacy campaigns; Benefiting from Global Leading Mass-Media Institutes such as CNBC, Financial Times, Moscow times; http://www.cnbcmagazine.com/story/power-shift/1466/1/ Engaging of national stakeholders such as mass-media, NGOs in national advocacy campaigns

11. Dinner with MPs •CESD used also informal advocacy methods to put its recommendations on the country agenda to be approved. One of our information advocacy method is “Dinner with MPs”. Most active MPs invited to have dinner with CESD Board members where ways to put CESD policy recommendations on the Parliament’s agenda discussed

12. Media Campaigns •All leading media institutes engaged in CESD media-campaign to push the official agenda. •More then 50 newspaper articles and TV reportages produced within each PTF support project

13. Ad-Hoc Methods •CESD applies various ad-hoc methods depends on nature of monitoring or awareness campaign. •For instance; Public Engagement with participation of well-know singers or artists of Azerbaijan.

14. Local Networking •To reach faster- go by yourself, •To reach to longer- go with others •African proverb

15. Local Networking CSOs set up EITI NGO Coalition – to influence the government policies on oil revenues •

16. Engaging of other Think thanks in monitoring Process •Working Group established at EITI NGO Coalition •Monitoring Group established with participation of well-known experts from different CSOs in Azerbaijan

17. Respected Reputation  CESD is one of well-respected organizations in the region.  High reputation helps the center to influence decision-making process  CESD was included in Harvard University dictionary starting 2010  CESD is very active in regional programs including Eastern Partnership Platforms

18. Recent Successes… Anti-crisis strategy (http://www.cesd.az/crisisproposal.doc) • first in the country • real and financial sectors, including the fiscal and monetary strategies • addressing multiple subsectors • Large reflection in the media and among stakeholders • adopted by the Government of Azerbaijan

19. More Recent Successes… Increasing transparency in oil tenders • State Procurement Agency of Azerbaijan Republic applied new registration system based on CESD recommendations • New system allows companies to register on State Procurement Agency website and apply online to on-going tenders • New system will also allow companies to monitor tender results. Modernizing inspection standards • Government of Azerbaijan accepted CESD policy recommendations on minimizing illegal interference on business activities in Azerbaijan. • President Ilham Aliyev signed new measures aimed to adjust checks in business sector and ensure protection of consumer rights. • The decree was prepared based on the CESD policy recommendations submitted to the government in March, 2015. The CESD recommendations have been published in all leading mass-media institutes last month and the center submitted them to the government as well. • According to a new presidential decree, the Cabinet of Ministries will develop a new program to adjust inspections in business sector and ensure protection of consumer rights.

20. THANK YOU Center for Economic and Social Development, CESD www.cesd.az