Inspection of Embassy Baku, Azerbaijan

What OIG Inspected 

OIG inspected Embassy Baku’s achievement of foreign policy goals and objectives, policy and program implementation, consular operations, resource management, and information management.

What OIG Found 

• Embassy Baku generally supported U.S. foreign policy goals and managed its operations in accordance with U.S. Department of State standards.
• The Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section’s federal assistance award files lacked monitoring and evaluation documentation, as well as evidence that it fully vetted every award recipient’s eligibility to receive U.S. government support. 
• Embassy leadership did not consistently review the Consular Section Chiefs’ nonimmigrant visa adjudications. 
• Embassy Baku facilities did not comply with Department seismic safety standards. 
• Embassy Baku did not conduct required annual audits of leased building operating expenses despite known fraud risks in this program.
• Embassy Baku had deficiencies in its financial management, human resources, and general management operations. 
• Embassy Baku had deficiencies in information systems security.

What OIG Recommends

OIG made 16 recommendations to Embassy Baku. In its comments on the draft report, Embassy Baku concurred with all 16 recommendations. OIG considers all 16 recommendations resolved. The Embassy’s response to each recommendation can be found in the Findings section of this report. The Embassy’s formal responses are reprinted in their entirety in Appendix B.