National Policy Dialogue for Agricultural Cooperative Development in Azerbaijan
Baku, 20-22 October 2025. The Development Law Service (LEGN) of FAO contributed to the National Policy Dialogue for Agricultural Cooperative Development in Azerbaijan organized by the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan, under project TCP/AZE/3903 - Promote agricultural cooperatives for increased market competitiveness. LEGN has been supporting this event by providing capacity development for policymakers and government officials on the principles and governance of agricultural cooperatives, as well as by facilitating dialogue and knowledge sharing between key stakeholders.
During the event, LEGN spoke about its work on this topic and shared its insights and lessons learned from other CIS countries. During the discussions, LEGN highlighted the similarities in legislative approaches between CIS countries, as well as their particularities. Specific provisions on the lifecycle of cooperatives from different countries were brought to the forefront to highlight and exchange views on different ways cooperatives are regulated across the region. Particular attention was also given to the socioeconomic role of cooperatives and the way in which legislation deals with it.
Another important focus was the importance of aligning national laws with international directives of the International Cooperative Alliance and International Labour Organisation, notably regarding the concept, goals and activities of cooperatives. The regional insights were then followed by a round table discussion on the national findings from the national assessment report undertaken under the above-mentioned project.
The Policy Dialogue in Azerbaijan also saw the presentation of Legislative Study 119 “Analysis of the cooperative legislation of the Russian Federation and other Commonwealth of Independent States countries” , which gives a thorough analysis of cooperative legislation - agricultural production, agricultural consumer and consumer cooperatives - of CIS member states. Prepared in collaboration with the Belgorod University of Cooperation, Economics and Law, in the Russian Federation, the Study discusses in detail numerous legal provisions, such as definitions, establishment, membership, management and supervisory bodies, and dissolution of cooperatives.
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