Based on the innovative solution, developed in Azerbaijan, the municipality of Turkestan established an easy-to-use system of online registration of entry, exit and movement of citizens during the COVID-19 lockdown. This has become possible thanks to the Astana Civil Service Hub, which reoriented its peer-to-peer learning alliances to bring in digital solutions and innovation from the Hub’s participating countries to respond to the new pandemic.

By submitting their queries through mobile application, website or call-centre, citizen of Turkestan, an ancient city in the south of Kazakhstan, can leave their homes without obstruction to purchase food, medicine and daily necessities; get medical check-ups or treatment, visit their workplaces or participate in the funeral procession.

“The undertaking of the akimat of Turkestan is a vivid example of the use of information technology in the interests of citizens. At the same time, it clearly demonstrates that effective technological innovations are becoming public domain regardless of the country they were invented, underlining the importance of the international exchange of experience and knowledge sharing”, said Mr. Alikhan Baimenov, the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Astana Civil Service Hub.

Azerbaijani experience was shared through the ACSH’s platform by the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. To date, the Hub has received practical cases from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea, exemplifying the effective COVID-related solutions undertaken by the governments of the countries and IT sector in the field of digitalization, medicine, distance learning and the economy.

The Astana Civil Service Hub, a flagship initiative of UNDP and the Government of Kazakhstan, plays an important role in enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation between countries, enabling them to share accumulated experience in developing civil service systems, while supporting regional cooperation.