The heads of local executive authorities (executive chiefs) are an important link in the country's administrative-management system. They are responsible both for the implementation of state policy in the territory and for providing relevant services to citizens.
In recent days, a number of questions and public expectations regarding executive chiefs have once again come to the fore: the discussion mainly concerns the lack of transparency in the work of the chiefs, and illegal activities arising in the areas of accountability and governance. We saw the latest example of this in the case of Islam Rzayev, the head of Balakan District Executive Authority, who was detained by the State Security Service.
It is true that corrupt practices cannot be attributed to all executive chiefs. There are also those among them who approach their duties responsibly. However, there are also many officials who discredit this field.
Research shows that the heads of district-city Executive Authorities in Azerbaijan have varying lengths of service in their current positions. There are those who have worked as executive chiefs for 5 years, and those for 10, 15, 20, or even 30 years...
Modern.az website has investigated which officials are included in the first “top 20” as the most experienced executive chiefs. There are interesting names on the list. So, get acquainted with the most experienced executive chiefs:
Eyvaz Huseynov, Head of Khojavand District Executive Authority, leads the list of experienced officials. Mr. Eyvaz was appointed to this position on July 2, 1992. E. Huseynov, a veteran of the Karabakh War, established the Khojavand self-defense detachment in 1988 and served as its commander. He was awarded the 2nd degree “For Service to the Fatherland” order and the “100th Anniversary of Heydar Aliyev” jubilee medal for his active participation in the socio-political life of Azerbaijan.
Taleh Garashov, Head of Lankaran City Executive Authority, has been serving as a regional leader for no less, no more, but almost 30 years (from 1996 until today). He served as the Head of Kurdamir District Executive Authority from 1996-2002, Head of Jalilabad District Executive Authority from 2002-2006, Head of Neftchala District Executive Authority from 2006-2011, and Head of Astara District Executive Authority from 2011-2012. Since 2012, he has been the Head of Lankaran City Executive Authority.
Novruz Novruzov, Head of Siyazan District Executive Authority, can be considered one of the long-serving leaders. He served as the Head of Lerik District Executive Authority from 1995-2002, Head of Goranboy District Executive Authority from 2002-2007, and Head of Shabran District Executive Authority from 2007-2019.
On April 5, 2019, he was appointed Head of Siyazan District Executive Authority. In 2014, he was awarded the “Shokhrat” (Glory) Order. Novruz Novruzov has been working as an executive chief for 30 years.
Eldar Azizov, Head of Baku City Executive Authority, has also held a leadership position for many years. Mr. Azizov was appointed Head of Nizami District Executive Authority of Baku city in June 2000.
He served as the Head of Ganja City Executive Authority from 2003-2011.
He was the Head of Sumgayit City Executive Authority from 2011-2015.
He worked as the Head of Sabail District Executive Authority of Baku City from 2015-2018.
On November 15, 2018, he was appointed Head of Baku City Executive Authority.
Mr. Eldar was awarded the 2nd degree "For Service to the Fatherland" order in 2017. He has been working as an executive chief for more than 25 years.
Malik Isagov, Head of Gubadli District Executive Authority, is one of the veteran officials both in terms of age and length of service. Mr. Malik, 72, came to this position from a factory directorship. He was appointed Head of Gubadli District Executive Authority on September 8, 2001. Malik Isagov is now completing 25 years as an executive chief.
Shahmar Usubov, Head of Khojaly District Executive Authority, is also in the “top 20” most experienced. He was appointed executive chief on December 21, 2000. In 2013, he was awarded the "Shokhrat" (Glory) Order.
Shahmar Usubov is completing 25 years as an executive chief working in the same place.
Abdin Farzaliyev, Head of Absheron District Executive Authority, was appointed Head of Nizami District Executive Authority of Baku city in April 2003. From December 2005 until January 19, 2022, he served as the Head of Narimanov District Executive Authority of Baku City.
On January 19, 2022, he was appointed Head of Absheron District Executive Authority.
Mr. Abdin has been working as an executive chief for 22 years. He was awarded the "For Service to the Fatherland" order in 2017.
Zakir Farajov, Head of Sumgayit City Executive Authority, has been leading the “City of Youth” for a long time. He previously served as an executive chief in another area. Specifically, he held the position of Head of Absheron District Executive Authority from 2005–2015. On September 2, 2015, he was appointed Head of Sumgayit City Executive Authority. Thus, Mr. Farajov has been working as an executive chief for more than 20 years.
Suleyman Mikayilov, Head of Garadagh District Executive Authority, came to administrative management from the tax system. He worked as the Head of Yardimli District Executive Authority from May 2005 to December 2005. From December 21, 2005, until March 4, 2020, he was the Head of Lankaran City Executive Authority. By order dated March 4, 2010, he was appointed Head of Garadagh District Executive Authority.
Suleyman Mikayilov has been working as an executive chief for a total of more than 20 years.
Vidadi Isayev, Head of Barda District Executive Authority, has been in office as a leading official since 2005. He served as the Head of Tartar District Executive Authority from 2005-2011. Since March 3, 2011, he has been appointed Head of Barda District Executive Authority. He has been awarded the "Labor" and “For Service to the Fatherland” orders.
Mr. Vidadi, a member of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, has been working as an executive chief for 20 years.
Mardan Jamalov, Head of Zardab District Executive Authority, is also among the most experienced officials. He served as the Head of Shirvan City Executive Authority from 2005–2019. On November 12, 2019, he was appointed Head of Zardab District Executive Authority.
Mardan Jamalov has been working as an executive chief for 20 years.
Gazanfar Aghayev, Head of Astara District Executive Authority, is also one of the veteran officials. He also previously worked in the system of the Ministry of Taxes. Gazanfar Aghayev was first appointed executive chief in 2006. Specifically, he served as the Head of Yardimli District Executive Authority from March 24, 2006, to September 29, 2006, and as the Head of Masally District Executive Authority from 2006-2012.
Since April 14, 2012, he has been serving as the Head of Astara District Executive Authority. This totals more than 19 years.
Khazar Aslanov, Head of Khizi District Executive Authority, previously worked as deputy head and first deputy head in the former Khanlar District Executive Authority. His career as an executive chief began in 2006. Specifically, he worked as the Head of Yardimli District Executive Authority from October 10, 2006, to April 10, 2012.
X. Aslanov was appointed Head of Khizi District Executive Authority on April 10, 2012. He has more than 19 years of experience as an executive chief.
Aziz Azizov, Head of Beylagan District Executive Authority, has also been working as an executive chief for 19 years. His path to executive leadership began in Jalilabad. Mr. Aziz served as the Head of Jalilabad District Executive Authority from 2006 to 2018, Head of Yasamal District Executive Authority of Baku City from February 2, 2018, to November 12, 2019, and Head of Surakhani District Executive Authority of Baku City from November 12, 2019, to July 8, 2024.
On July 8, 2024, he was appointed Head of Beylagan District Executive Authority.
Elkhan Usubov, the 65-year-old Head of Sheki City Executive Authority, has been a regional leader since 2007. He served as the Head of Aghstafa District Executive Authority from 2007-2011. On May 23, 2011, he was appointed Head of Sheki City Executive Authority. Mr. Elkhan has completed 18 years in the executive chief's chair.
Rovshan Baghirov, Head of Aghsu District Executive Authority, previously worked in Lerik. He was appointed Head of Lerik District Executive Authority on April 2, 2007. On April 29, 2021, he was appointed Head of Aghsu District Executive Authority. Rovshan Baghirov has been working as an executive chief for more than 18 years.
Mansur Mammadov, Head of Ujar District Executive Authority, also has an 18-year career.
He was appointed Head of Zardab District Executive Authority on March 29, 2005. On December 14, 2007, he was appointed Head of Goychay District Executive Authority.
Mansur Mammadov's next workplace was Ujar. On January 27, 2015, he was appointed Head of Ujar District Executive Authority.
Siragaddin Jabbarov, Head of Sabirabad District Executive Authority, is also among the officials with extensive experience. He worked as the Head of Saatli District Executive Authority from April 25, 2008, to May 17, 2019.
On May 17, 2019, he was appointed Head of Sabirabad District Executive Authority.
S. Jabbarov has been awarded the “Labor” Order, the 2nd degree “For Service to the Fatherland” order, and the "100th Anniversary of Heydar Aliyev" jubilee medal. He has held the position of executive chief for more than 17 years.
Mubariz Ahmadzade, Head of Zagatala District Executive Authority, previously led Gakh. Specifically, he served as the Head of Gakh District Executive Authority from December 27, 2007, to September 1, 2009. Since September 1, 2009, he has been the Head of Zagatala District Executive Authority. This means 17 years.
Bayram Safarov, Head of Shusha District Executive Authority, is 74 years old. He was appointed Head of Shusha District Executive Authority on February 27, 2009. On June 5, 2009, he was elected chairman of the Azerbaijani Community of the Nagorno-Karabakh Region Public Union of the Republic of Azerbaijan and served in that position until December 2018.
Mr. Bayram was awarded the “Shokhrat” (Glory) Order in 2016 for his socio-political services. He has been leading Shusha district for 16 years.
Sabuh Abdullayev, Head of Gabala District Executive Authority, has been working in this position for 15 years. He was appointed executive chief of Gabala on March 4, 2010.
Ramiz Hasanov, Head of Zangilan District Executive Authority, was appointed to his current position by order dated April 26, 2011. Hasanov, 65, has been leading Zangilan for 14 years.
Ali Aliyev, Head of Fuzuli District Executive Authority, was appointed to this position on February 25, 2011. He has been leading his native district for 14 years.
Rafil Huseynov, Head of Aghjabadi District Executive Authority, has been continuing his career for 13 years. He was appointed Head of Masally District Executive Authority on April 14, 2012. On November 20, 2019, his work in Masally was terminated. On the same day, he was appointed Head of Aghjabadi District Executive Authority.
Rafil Huseynov, who is a chief advisor of the civil service, was awarded the "For Distinction in Labor" medal.
Adil Valiyev, Head of Sabunchu District Executive Authority of Baku city, was appointed to this position in April 2012. Mr. Adil, a member of the New Azerbaijan Party, has a 13-year career as an executive chief.
Niyazi Bayramov, Head of Ganja City Executive Authority, has also held a leadership position for 13 years. He worked as the Head of Mingachevir City Executive Authority from 2012-2018. On August 28, 2018, he was appointed Head of Ganja City Executive Authority. He is a member of the New Azerbaijan Party.
The institution of executive chief plays a decisive role in the development of regions, the improvement of the welfare of the local population, and the strengthening of state-citizen relations. However, the effectiveness of this institution is not solely dependent on formal powers – it also becomes effective when fully developed with elements of accountability, transparency, participation, and local self-governance. In the current period, public expectations have increased, and it is becoming difficult to be content with “old model” functionality in relation to this institution.
In modern governance, the application of modern approaches, open and results-oriented mechanisms is considered important. Executive chiefs should not only be “the head of the district” but also catalysts for the development of that territory, leaders trusted by citizens. But can they be?...
A.Gorkhmaz
