The Council of Europe Action Plan for Azerbaijan 2022-2025 was adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 16 February 2022 and subsequently extended on 24 September 2025 until the end of 2026. The Action Plan for Azerbaijan 2022-2026 has been prepared in close consultation with the Azerbaijani authorities and is a strategic co-operation framework to support key national reforms and ultimately bring the country’s legislative and regulatory frameworks, institutions and practice further in line with European standards. In meeting its objectives, the Action Plan contributes to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Its priorities take into account relevant judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, decisions, resolutions, recommendations, and opinions of the Council of Europe institutions, monitoring mechanisms and expert advisory bodies. They also reflect Azerbaijani’s reform priorities and needs. Additionally, the Action Plan builds upon the results and achievements of the previous Action Plan for 2018-2021.

Key areas of co-operation

Human Rights

  • Enhancing the effectiveness of the ECHR system at national level
  • Supporting the criminal justice reform
  • Freedom of assembly
  • Freedom of expression and the media
  • Data protection and artificial intelligence
  • Promoting gender equality and combating violence against women and domestic violence
  • Children’s rights
  • Non-discrimination
  • Social rights
  • Environment and climate change

Rule of Law

  • Constitutional justice
  • Independence and efficiency of justice
  • Fight against corruption and money laundering
  • Cybercrime
  • Prisons and police
  • Trafficking in human beings
  • Drug abuse and illicit trafficking

Democracy

  • Electoral issues
  • Civil society
  • Education for democracy
  • Youth for democracy
  • Intercultural dialogue

As of 1 January 2026, the Action Plan received total funding of €10.3 million representing 83% of its total financing needs of €12.5 million. Projects in the Action Plan are funded from multiple sources and co-ordinated with the international partners present in Azerbaijan. Funding is provided from the Council of Europe’s Ordinary Budget, as well as voluntary contributions, including the European Union (notably through the European Union/Council of Europe Partnership for Good Governance (PGG).  

The Council of Europe Office in Baku and the operational services in Strasbourg are responsible for the implementation of the Action Plan. In particular, the Council of Europe office in Baku co-ordinates the implementation of the projects in the field, including joint programmes with the European Union.

CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

        

Through its actions, the Council of Europe Action Plan for Azerbaijan 2022-2026 contributes to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 1, SDG 3, SDG 4 (target 7), SDG 5 (targets 1, 2 and 5), SDG 8, SDG 10 (targets 2 and 3), SDG 13 (target 3), SDG 16 (targets 3, 5, 6, and 10) and SDG 17.

More information: Overview of the Council of Europe Contribution to the UN 2030 Agenda.