Conference on trade union activities in the context of climate change held in Baku
Representatives of trade unions, governments and the ILO exchanged views on just transition policies, social dialogue and workers’ participation in climate governance.
13 May 2026
BAKU (ILO News) - On 13 May 2026, an international conference entitled “Trade union activities in the context of climate change” was held in Baku with the participation of representatives of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (AHIK), the National Centre of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan (TNTUC), the International Labour Organization (ILO) Bureau for Workers' Activities (ACTRAV), government institutions and international partners. The event focused on the role of trade unions in promoting a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies while protecting workers’ rights and livelihoods.
Opening the conference, Sahib Mammadov, Chairman of AHIK, stressed the importance of strengthening trade union participation in climate-related policymaking and ensuring that workers’ interests remain at the centre of the transition to low-carbon economies. Oguljennet Berdiliyeva, Chairperson of the National Centre of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan, emphasized the value of regional trade union cooperation and exchange of experience in addressing the social consequences of climate change.
The conference also featured remarks from Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues; Zaur Aliyev, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population; Musa Guliyev, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Labour and Social Policy; Azer Bayramov, Director General of the Labour Center of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; Huseyn Huseynov, Adviser to the Minister of Economy; and Sergejus Glovackas, ACTRAV Desk Officer for Europe and Central Asia, who joined the event online and welcomed the growing cooperation between AHIK, the ILO and regional trade union partners. The participation of Yashar Hamzayev, ILO National Coordinator for Azerbaijan, alongside leaders of sectoral trade unions and senior representatives of government institutions, further enriched the discussions and exchange of views.
A key focus of the conference was the role of trade unions in ensuring a just transition in the context of climate change. During his presentation, Gocha Aleksandria, Senior Specialist for Workers’ Activities at the ILO Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, presented the ILO/ACTRAV approach to climate change and just transition policies, emphasizing that effective climate action must be closely linked to social justice, decent work, labour rights and inclusive economic development. The presentation highlighted the importance of social dialogue and the active participation of workers’ organizations in climate governance processes, including the development and implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Particular attention was devoted to how trade unions can engage in national climate policy discussions, advocate for stronger labour and social provisions in NDCs, and ensure that climate policies address employment impacts, occupational safety and health, social protection and skills development.
During the panel session, participants discussed the growing impact of climate change on the world of work, including heat stress, changing employment patterns, occupational risks and migration pressures affecting sectors such as agriculture, industry and construction. Examples and data presented during the conference demonstrated the potential implications for both Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, while also highlighting opportunities related to the creation of green jobs and workforce reskilling. Attention was devoted to international trade union experiences and practical examples from different countries on how trade unions engage in climate governance, social dialogue and just transition processes.
The conference additionally contributed to strengthening regional cooperation between trade union organizations of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between AHIK and the National Centre of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan during the visit of the Turkmen delegation to Baku.
The event concluded with discussions on the importance of stronger trade union engagement in climate policymaking and the promotion of a socially just and inclusive transition through effective social dialogue and international cooperation.