The DOST (Agency of Sustainable and Operative Social Provision) of Azerbaijan is an example of a modernized model of governance in the social protection sphere that has a one-stop-shop system of services. It is a model in which 161 various social services are centralized in one system that is transparent, automated, and efficient, which is likely to promote efficiency, accountability, and satisfaction by the citizens.
- Citizen satisfaction rate: 98.5%
- Service types offered: 161
- Operational approach: Single-window, digitally integrated, and transparent
Such level of satisfaction reflects high level of trust index amongst citizens- it signifies high performance of institutions and also a level of confidence of people in the state services.
International Engagements and Cooperation
The international activity of DOST in 2025 is a planned stage of internationalization and the development of soft power of the social governance model in Azerbaijan.
a. June 2025 – Uzbek Delegation Visit
A group of Uzbekistan Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction delegates paid a visit at the DOST Agency and they:
- Obtained extensive background information about the structure of DOTS and its digital processes.
- Articulated the desire to copy or modify the DOST model and make it more efficient in their respective sector of the public service.
- Discussed bilateral cooperation in social innovations and service delivery.
This visit is a representation of regional policy diffusion whereby Azerbaijan becomes an example country to social services modernization in the Central Asia region. The exchange is also evidence of increasing regional integration of welfare reform by knowledge transfer.
b. Late June 2025 – 33rd European Social Conference (Zagreb)
During this conference, the Chairman of Dost; Farid Mammadov, had an audience with Lora Vidović, who is the Head of the Department of Social Protection in Zagreb.
Key highlights include:
- Social reforms and digital transformation of DOST.
- Introduction of DOST as a model of automated and unified social sites.
- Study of how Azerbaijan and Croatia cooperate in the digital social services.
The presentation made by DOST regarding the aspect of digital governance and automation is in line with the trends of social innovations in the EU and the shift to make Azerbaijan a service provider rather than a service consumer in the sphere of digital welfare systems.
c. Mid-July 2025 – Student Acceleration Program
The program was held in collaboration with the State Employment Agency and the AccessBank and it was aimed at empowering the youth with disabilities.
Program objectives:
- Develop employment and financial literacy.
- Encourage socio-economic inclusion of the vulnerable groups.
- Refute social stereotypes on disabilities.
Activities included:
- Training on budgeting, saving, digital banking, and financial management which is interactive.
- Lectures by the officials of AccessBank.
This project is a sign of DOST inclusive development priorities, which is in tandem with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The collaboration with the private sector highlights the multi-stakeholder partnership in the name of sustainable social inclusion.
d. Early October 2025 – World Social Security Forum (ISSA)
The leadership of the DOST attended the World Social Security Forum 2025 in the high level Azerbaijani delegation alongside more than 150 countries.
Key outcomes:
- The ISSA Steering Committee (Europe) was elected to include DOST Agency and the Social Services Agency as part of it 2026–2028.
- MoU between the International Association of Pension and Social Funds and ISSA.
- The focus was on AI implementation, digital transformation, and social protection inclusion.
Such acknowledgment is an international declaration of the advancement of digital social governance in Azerbaijan. The election of DOST into the Steering Committee of ISSA makes it a thought leader in social innovation, which is an announcement of the Azerbaijan inclusion in the world policy framework of social protection.
Strategic Significance
Nationally:
- Enhances trust between the state and citizens with the help of open and effective services.
- Further modernization of digital governance and modernization of public administration.
- Favors inclusive work via participation, particularly among young people and persons with disabilities.
Regionally:
- Makes Azerbaijan a trailblazer in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
- Improves co-operation between governments and Uzbekistan and EU partners.
Globally:
- Makes DOST a reference model of integrated social services in ISSA, as well as other international networks.
- Shows that Azerbaijan is dedicated to the work of the UN SDGs and, in particular, Goals 8, 9, 10, and 16.
Conclusion
The developments from June to October 2025 depict that the DOST Service of Azerbaijan has transformed into a national social innovation to becoming an international standard of delivering social services in an integrated and citizen-oriented fashion.
Its success measures of 98.5 percent level of satisfaction to election to the world governance committees supports the success DOST has had in integrating technological innovation, institutional transparency, and social inclusivity.
The DOST model in Azerbaijan is the future of the public service delivery in the greater policy context efficient, digital, inclusive, and globally connected.
