A video conference on "Development perspectives of local self-government in Azerbaijan: current situation and forthcoming tasks" was held by joint organization of the Committee on Regional Affairs of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Association of Urban, Settlement and Rural Municipalities of Azerbaijan on April 28.
The conference was attended by members of the Committee on Regional Affairs of the Milli Majlis, representatives of the Center for Works with Municipalities of the Ministry of Justice, the Trade Union Committee of Municipal Workers, the leaders and representatives of the Azerbaijan National Association of Urban, Settlement and Rural Municipalities, as well as chairmen of 55 urban, settlement and village municipalities.
Chairman of the Committee on Regional Affairs of the Milli Majlis Siyavush Novruzov spoke about the establishment of the institute of local self-government and its legal framework in Azerbaijan on the initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev, as well as about the development of municipalities. He noted that with the wise policy and determination of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the phase of restoration of our liberated territories, released thanks to the heroism of the mighty Azerbaijani Army and the solidarity of our people, has begun and at this stage, municipalities also have important responsibilities.
The event discussed the need to improve the activities of municipalities against the background of purposeful reforms in our country, the need to increase their role in solving local socio-economic issues, as well as current problems faced by municipalities, solutions, as well as development prospects for local self-government.
Speaking at the conference, Rahman Mammadov, head of the Center for Works with Municipalities, stressed the role of local self-government bodies in the comprehensive construction works in the country, including in the implementation of social, economic, environmental and other projects, noted the importance of accelerating the solution of existing problems in the financial situation of municipalities for their effective operation. Detailed information was provided on the works done by the Ministry of Justice and on their positive results on collection of local taxes and fees, as well as accurate accounting of local taxpayers and entities, taxation of excluded tax entities and increase of local budget revenues as a whole, compliance with budget
discipline and accountability, use of digital management achievements, etc. to assist municipalities in these areas.
During the discussions, there was brought to attention the need for proper establishment of municipal-citizen relations in order to increase public confidence in local self-government, the formation of close contacts between municipal officials and the local population, the need to regularly inform the public about the works done by municipalities in various spheres of public life.
The establishment of a working group headed by the Committee on Regional Affairs of the Milli Majlis, consisting of representatives of relevant government agencies, including municipalities, was discussed at the event. There was noted that necessary steps will be taken in this direction.
At the end of the conference, a number of mayors highlighted the problems they faced and made proposals for their solutions.
