30 November 2011: The UN Global Compact has launched a new network in Baku, Azerbaijan. The launch took place at an event that was organized by UN Development Programme (UNDP) Azerbaijan, with support from Statoil, and attended by members of civil society, business and academia.

During the launch, Erling Skjønsberg, Ambassador of Norway to Azerbaijan, highlighted the critical role of corporate sustainability for building economies. Nato Alhazishvili, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, emphasized his organization’s support to advance the Global Compact goals in Azerbaijan.

The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Global Compact office and the newly elected network representative for Azerbaijan, which currently has 16 participants and a steering committee. [UN Global Compact Press Release]