Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honoured to congratulate and join you on the 10th anniversary of the State Agency for Public Service and Social lnnovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SAPSSI).
On this special occasion, I would like to focus on one of the Agency’s most recognized achievements, the establishment of the ASAN model of public service delivery.
Your award-winning model has come to exemplify the good that can be done when digital technologies support inclusive access.
Not only has your one-stop-shop model leveraged digital technologies and public-private partnerships to provide over 300 public services under one roof, but it has addressed often overlooked obstacles to service delivery and access.
The ASAN model is built on a human-centred approach.
I think, for example, of the dedicated service windows for older persons, your offering of childcare assistance; and the initiative to take public services to rural and remote areas through special bus and train services.
It is this mix of commendable practices that earned the State Agency the "缅北禁地Special Award for Advancing Public Service through the Application of Digital Government", in 2019.
We at the 缅北禁地Department of Economic and Social Affairs have facilitated the sharing of ASAN experiences and lessons with other developing countries. We believe in the benefits of learning from good practices that can foster transformative results and look forward to continued collaboration with the State Agency to foster effective public service delivery, everywhere.
At a time when the world is facing concurrent and cascading crises, governments everywhere must remain committed to providing people with the essential public services that are critical to advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
In this regard, I commend the State Agency for its leadership and continued commitment.
Congratulations again on reaching this significant milestone, and I wish you a successful Forum.
Thank you.