Centre for Economic and Social Development (CESD)

The Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD), top think tank in Azerbaijan, has been set up to promote research and analysis into domestic economic and social issues for the purpose to positively influence the public policy decision-making processes. The Center is a leading Azerbaijani think tank specialized in economic and social policy issues working with and establishing bridge between the government and the various representatives of civil society. At the same time, as leading NGO in Azerbaijan, the Center positions itself in the center of the civil society having tight relationships with media, 24 communities spread around Azerbaijan, NGOs providing services at the grass-root level, international think-tanks, financial institutions and donors, and virtually all the other think tanks functioning in Azerbaijan.

CESD works with the government towards the reforms and capacity building and provides the necessary research, memo, training and discussions within the Center’s greater focus of bringing more of the efficient and accountable practices in overall public finance management. On the other hand, the Center produces studies focused on enhancing civic participation, an important engine for rule of law and government accountability, building the “bridge” between the two important actors – the government and the civil society – and provide necessary advocacy along with other stakeholders to strengthen these activities. Through focus on the interconnected and evolving network of civil society actors and their initiatives, the Center seeks to suggest an alternative local politics that continues to evolve in reaction to and despite the “resource curse” scenario suggested by a variety of political scientists and economists.

CESD is also trying to promote good governance in Azerbaijan. Good governance depends on transparency, accountability and it has 8 major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society. CESD keeps these principles and key priorities in mind in their research, policy and institutional, structural and regulatory reform advocacy and capacity building. They refer to and best international practices approaches, but also target the enhancement of transparency separately in different sectors including health, education, banking, water supply, electricity, investments and recurrent public expenditure and etc.

 

Address:

Caspian Plaza, 3rd Block, 13th floor

J.Jabbarli str. 44,
Baku, Azerbaijan

AZ1009

Phone:  (+994 12) 4975684
Fax: (+994 12) 4975684

Email: info@cesd.az
URL: www.cesd.az

  

Vugar Bayramov

Vugar Bayramov joined Open Government Platform in September 2016. Vugar Bayramov is the chairman of Centre for Economic and Social Development (CESD). According to the University of Pennsylvania Global Think Tanks Rankings, his centre has been selected as a top think tank in Southern Caucasus and Central Asia last 5 years. Mr. Bayramov is the author of Anti-Crisis Concept Project of Azerbaijan Republic, which was adopted by the government. As one of the leading economic experts in the region, Dr. Bayramov has been several times involved in developing state programs, including anti-crisis programs by CIS Countries’ governments. Mr. Bayramov has served as co-chair at the EU Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum in 2013-2014. He was the co-coordinator of the Economic Integration and Convergence to EU Standards Working Group at the EaP CSF in 2011-2012. In 2010, Bayramov was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Studies Centre (RISSC) in Jordan.

Mr. Bayramov was a visiting faculty member at the Washington University (USA) in 2002-2004 and he was a post-doctoral researcher at Washington University in St.Louis in 2003-2004. Bayramov holds PhD in economics and currently teaches Economics and Finance course at the Azerbaijan State Economic University. His paper and books have been translated into 25 languages.

Email: vugarbayramov@cesd.az