Project Summary

The purpose of the project revision is to include below new specific project objectives: Evolving of High Technologies via Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Technologies, Robopark and human capital by envisioning potential opportunities in the National Strategy on High Technologies of Azerbaijan for 2020-2025; Convening of the 7th Regional Internet Governance Forum in Azerbaijan; Further expansion of the Idea to Business (I2B) initiative; Expand support to the MTCHT in establishment of the Reserve Data Center in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan by procurement of Performance Optimized Data Center Containers; and Establishment of the SHA2 Certificate Services Center in the Data Processing Center (DPC) within MTCHT.

The Project shall be implemented under national implementation modality. The MTCHT will be the responsible executing entity. UNDP will be acting as Responsible Party to provide technical assistance, capacity development and operational support in the project implementation related to procurement, recruitment, contracting and execution of direct payments to suppliers under the conditions regulated by the Letter of Agreement on Service Provision and Project Support between the Government and UNDP. The Minister of MTCHT and UNDP Resident Representative will head the project Steering Committee.

The project will contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal 9: “Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes”; Target 9.C “Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet”.

Project Objectives

The objective will be achieved through the delivery of following project components:

• (ongoing) Initiating and building capacity of the Youth Internet Governance Forum in Azerbaijan;
• (new) Evolving of High Technologies via Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Technologies, Robopark initiative and human capital by envisioning potential opportunities in the National Strategy on High Technologies of Azerbaijan for 2020-2025 ;
  
• (ongoing) Capacity building for the development of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies and the advancement of the existing communication infrastructures; 
  
• (new) Convening of the 7th Regional Internet Governance Forum in Azerbaijan;
  
• (ongoing) Developing Smart City Road Map for Baku, Azerbaijan; 
  
• (ongoing) Evolving National Concept and innovative frameworks for digital economy development;
  
• (new) Further expansion of the Idea to Business (I2B) initiative;
  
• (new) Expand support to the MTCHT in establishment of the Reserve Data Center in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan
  
• (new) Establishment of the SHA2 Certificate Services Center in the Data Processing Center (DPC) within MTCHT
  

Expected Results

The Project will offer holistic support to economic empowerment, skills development and business investment in the ICT and innovation sphere, as well as focusing on developing capacities and rolling out innovative approaches for better integration of the most vulnerable sections of the workforce into formal employment, including women and persons with disabilities.

The specific objectives of this action are formation and development of new directions and opportunities that will strengthen ICT of Azerbaijan at national and international levels, infrastructural advancement of the institutions, convening of the diverse pivotal ICT events, as well as to contribute to innovative ICT improvement processes in the country.

Project Accomplishments

2016:

Following the Project Steering Committee meeting a Substantive Project revision was prepared and approved.

2017:

• International expert prepared Monitoring Report of the "E-Participation Opportunities Analysis in Azerbaijan". In the scope of the project component in order to improve active usage of e-participation the project have organized workshops in Guba and Ganja on Universal Value Wikipedia: Wiki Management (number of participants over hundred).
• The. ToR for the international consultant for preparation of the Handbook/manual on improving access of population to Open Government Data is prepared and consultant will be hired in 2018.
• An international consultant was hired to draft the “National Concept Note on Knowledge-based and Innovative Economy”. The Concept will be reviewed by the Ministry in 2018.
• The have hired a local expert for preparation of the “Electron Azerbaijan” handbook. Trainings on e-government for local authorities, business and civil societies in the regions of Azerbaijan, Ganja and Guba (number of participants more than hundred) were organized. Selected Azerpost offices will be equipped in 2018.
• The Regional Internet Governance Forum website was updated and redesigned. The 5th Regional Internet Governance Forum Baku, Azerbaijan (RIGFAZ 2017) under the slogan of “Internet as the key to innovation and prosperity" on 7th December 2017 was organized with participation of more than 150 people from ICT society.

2018:

• Negotiations were conducted with Internet Governance Forum Secretariat in Geneva regarding the establishment of the Youth IGF Forum Secretariat Azerbaijan within IGF 2018. The possibility of engaging additional stakeholders for the establishment of the Youth IGF Forum Secretariat Azerbaijan and submit proposals regarding this case to the MTCHT were explored. Website and logo of Youth IGF Azerbaijan were developed. Based on the decision at the steering committee meeting the event will take place in 2019.
• Due to prolonged duration of second implementation stage of TASIM initiative there we no actions regarding this output for 2018. Based on the decision at the steering committee meeting this initiative will be taken out from the project activities.
• Procurement of mobile signature server for Data Processing Centre of MTCHT was successfully processed - Request for quotation was announced on July 31, 2018 and the contract in the amount of 85 000 USD was signed with the winning vendor, IT SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC, on September 15, 2018. Prior 15% instalment (12 250 USD) was made on October 24, 2018 due to the late money transfer from the Ministry. The final (85%) transfer in the amount of 72 750 USD was made on December 14, 2018. Two latest Apple Monoblocks were purchased for the ministry within framework of the capacity development in innovation, particularly for the jointly organized Idea to Business contests– Micro purchasing process was made on September 13, 2018 and the vendor offering the lowest price was ASBC LLC with 5674 AZN.
• Project Manager and Project Director successfully participated at the Global IGF 2018 in Paris France 12-14 November 2018. “Working together at the regional level – projects & forums” open forum was organized within IGF 2018 (35 men; 22 women). The 6th RIGFAZ was promoted via Azerbaijani Booth within the framework of IGF 2018 Village. The relevant event was promoted through social media (Facebook and Instagram). The event itself was postponed in order to convene it during CyberWeek February/March 2019.
• International practises regarding smart city building were analysed. Road Map on Smart City development in Azerbaijan is on the final phase. Shamakhi was selected as a pilot city.
• Innovation Road Map Presentation within the framework of Innoweek 2018 where 4 reports written by Mr. Edward Roche for the project on innovations were presented at the Heydar Aliyev Center, and during the event Guest Participant Ms. Andrea Boyle made presentation regarding smart city development. Number of participants 250 (180 men; 70 women). Idea to Business contest was convened together with MTCHT in the regions of Azerbaijan (Shaki, Sumgait, Ganja and Nakhchivan) and Universities of Baku whore than 100 participants per event (approx. 60 men; 40 women per event). Grand Final of Idea to Business was organized in Baku at Heydar Aliyev Center dated 26 October 26, 2018. Number of Participants 300 (220 men; 80 women). InnoCamp in Shaki, Azerbaijan was organized together with MTCHT dated 29 September 2018. Number of participants 150 (110 men; 40 women). Equipment for Robotech Lab initiative was procured within project for the MTCHT dated 30 August 2018 - 5679 USD. Robotech Lab opening and further functioning at School N23 were organized dated 16 November 2018.