BAKU, December 29, 2005 - Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Elchin Efendiyev, and UNICEF Azerbaijan Representative, Hanaa Singer, signed the joint five year Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP 2005-09) in Baku on 29 December, 2005.

In his speech, Mr. Efendiyev stressed the successful cooperation between UNICEF and the government of Azerbaijan with the previous Country Programme cycle (2000-2004). According to him, the new country programme is the outcome of long deliberations and discussions with a number of partners. "The signing of a new progamme is a truly historical moment...I would really like to thank UNICEF for all its commitment and great work to help the children of Azerbaijan," he said.

Ms. Singer, in her turn, thanked all the national counterparts for their support to UNICEF and contribution to CPAP. "We are very proud of our cooperation with a number of ministries that demonstrate government's commitment to the cause of the children of Azerbaijan," she said.

"We hope that in the future we can get more funding for programmes related to children. We trust that in the next few years Azerbaijan with all its potential and resources, can become a model country for development in the region," she added.

The main focus of the new Country Programme is maternal and child health, nutrition, education, child protection, young people's health and HIV/AIDS, in cooperation with government and civil society partners.

For further information please contact:

Ayna Mollazade, Communication Officer
Tel: 99412 492 3013
Fax: 99412 492 2468
Email: amollazade@unicef.org