Today is the 102nd anniversary of the birth of National Leader Heydar Aliyev
Today, Azerbaijan is one of the fastest-developing countries in the world, distinguished by its rightful place in the global community, its influential position in the international relations system, and as a power center in the South Caucasus region. The country has reached the magnificent peak of victory, restoring its territorial integrity and state sovereignty, while also maintaining a strong social policy. These historic achievements are based on the wise and far-sighted policies of the modern independent Azerbaijani state’s architect and founder, National Leader Heydar Aliyev, and the successful continuation and development of these policies by President Ilham Aliyev.
Having devoted his entire life and work to the development of Azerbaijan, National Leader Heydar Aliyev led the republic from a backward agrarian republic within the former Soviet Union to one of the leading countries in the 70s and 80s of the last century. During those years, Azerbaijan experienced dynamic economic progress, the creation of hundreds of enterprises with large workforce capacities, a significant increase in employment opportunities, an expansion of the network of secondary and higher education institutions, and sustainable social development.
The return of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to the leadership of the country in June 1993, at the call of the people, saved Azerbaijan from the threat of losing its independence, civil strife, deep political, economic, and social crises, chaos, and anarchy. “By applying the principles of a market economy, creating a free economy, and considering it as the main path, all of this should be directed towards improving the welfare and social status of all layers of the population,” said National Leader Heydar Aliyev, ensuring the revival and development of the national economy on solid foundations, while also shaping the country’s social development strategy. From that time on, significant measures were taken to protect the social welfare of the population.
The Constitution of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan, adopted through a nationwide referendum in 1995, which was authored by the National Leader, enshrines the provision of human and citizen rights and freedoms, ensuring a decent standard of living for the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan as the state’s highest goal. The Constitution states: "The Azerbaijani state takes care of the welfare of the people and every citizen, their social protection, and ensuring a decent standard of living."
Between 1993 and 2003, over 60 documents were signed by National Leader Heydar Aliyev to ensure social development. During this period, the average monthly amount of pensions and benefits increased eightfold, and the average monthly salary increased more than sixfold. Additionally, for the first time in the CIS region, Azerbaijan established a new labour code, created a legislative framework on social protection, employment, and labour migration, developed and approved the first State Program on the Prevention of Disability and Rehabilitation, the Pension Reform Concept, and the Demographic Development Concept, and established a state body (currently the State Labour Inspectorate Service) to oversee labour legislation.
Under the instructions of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, state care for martyrs' families and individuals with disabilities increased year by year. "The state has always cared for the families of martyrs and the children of martyrs, and will continue to care for them. You can be sure of that. We will never leave the families of martyrs or the children of martyrs alone. You can be completely confident in that," said National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Under his guidance, programs to provide housing for martyrs’ families and individuals with disabilities due to the war, as well as the provision of cars for those with disabilities related to war and other special causes, were launched in the 1990s. Systematic measures were taken to ensure the rehabilitation and active integration of persons with disabilities into society, with new rehabilitation and treatment institutions being established and their network gradually expanded.
As a result of the wise and far-sighted internal and external policies of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, successfully continued and developed by our esteemed President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has embarked on a path of rapid progress in its history, achieving significant historical victories and restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as historical justice.
The social development strategy authored by National Leader Heydar Aliyev is also successfully continued and developed by President Ilham Aliyev, and social reforms in Azerbaijan have become a sustainable and continuous process. “At the center of our policy is the Azerbaijani citizen, their well-being, health, and security,” said the head of state. Based on his instructions, consistent and targeted reforms have been carried out in the social sector, strengthening the social protection system, significantly expanding active employment programs, building a modern, reliable, and sustainable social security system, and ensuring continuous increases in social payments. Since 2018, five social reform packages have been implemented under the head of state’s directives. These reforms, with an annual additional financial capacity of 7,6 billion manats, have covered 4 million people. As a result, the minimum wage has increased 3,1 times, the minimum pension 2,9 times, the average monthly pension 2,6 times, and the volume of social benefits and pension payments has increased fivefold.
One of the most important social reforms of recent years, the DOST concept, initiated by First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, is one of the major successes of recent social reforms. This concept has enabled the provision of 161 social services to the public through a unified platform, a single window system, transparently and efficiently, based on the principles of citizen satisfaction and convenience. To date, 7 DOST Centers have been opened in Baku, Absheron, and Barda, as well as a "Smart DOST" service station in Aghali village of Zangilan, and a DOST branch in Shusha city. Over the past period, more than 3,5 million citizens have been served at DOST centers, with a citizen satisfaction rate of 98,5%. The DOST concept has been awarded over 60 international awards and certificates, including 12 “Good Practice for Europe” awards.
Another important social program, the housing program for the families of martyrs and individuals with disabilities due to the war, continues to be successfully implemented. After the historic victory in the 44-day Patriotic War, this program has been expanded five times. In the post-war period, 6,8 thousand houses were provided to martyrs' families and individuals with disabilities, and a total of 16000 houses and individual homes have been provided. Additionally, in the post-war period, 567 cars were given to individuals disabled in the war, and a total of 7,7 thousand cars have been provided.
The social reforms implemented in Azerbaijan have also enabled the rehabilitation system in the country to be built according to modern requirements. The rehabilitation institutions of the State Medical-Social Expertise and Rehabilitation Agency under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population have undergone major repairs and reconstruction, while new rehabilitation methods based on the biopsychosocial model and in line with advanced global practices have been applied, significantly expanding the service spectrum. The application of e-technologies in the field of state social services has also seen significant achievements in recent years. Over 90% of the Ministry's 159 services have already been digitized.
All of Azerbaijan’s achievements in the social field are the result of the successful social policy founded by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and continued and developed at a high level by President Ilham Aliyev, serving the welfare of the citizens.
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