Azerbaijan has taken over the chairmanship of a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) labour and social protection council, as it prepares to introduce a sixth package of social reforms in 2027.
Azerbaijan has taken over the chairmanship of a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) labour and social protection council, as it prepares to introduce a sixth package of social reforms in 2027.
Azerbaijan assumed leadership of the CIS Advisory Council on Labour, Employment and Social Protection, succeeding Uzbekistan, during its 39th meeting in Baku on Thursday, 15 October.
The meeting brought together senior officials from CIS countries to discuss employment policies, social protection, digital public services and closer regional cooperation.
Azerbaijan's Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Anar Aliyev, highlighted the country's progress on social reforms since 2018 and confirmed plans for a sixth package in 2027.
According to figures presented by Aliyev, Azerbaijan introduced five social reform packages between 2018 and 2026, benefiting four million people.
The minister said the reforms had resulted in an additional 8 billion manats ($4.7 billion) in annual funding.
Employment figures also showed significant growth, with the number of people placed in jobs rising 3.6-fold and participation in self-employment programmes increasing 2.7-fold.
Vocational training enrolment rose 7.1-fold, while the number of people receiving career guidance services tripled.
During the same period, the number of employment contracts increased by 44 per cent, the minimum wage more than tripled and the average monthly wage more than doubled.
Minimum and average monthly pensions also rose approximately threefold, according to figures presented at the meeting.
Digitalisation has also been a key part of the reforms, with the ministry reporting that more than 90 per cent of its services are now available digitally. Its DOST centres offer a one-stop shop for social services, making them easier for citizens to access.
Azerbaijan's new role comes as CIS countries seek to strengthen labour market policies, modernise social protection systems and expand cooperation.
Discussions at the Baku meeting focused on employment through digital platforms, improving labour standards and strengthening cooperation among governments, employers and workers.
Officials also reviewed preparations for designating 2028 as the CIS Year of Social Development and Quality of Life.
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan presented updates on their digital employment and social protection services, highlighting efforts to modernise public service delivery.
Representatives from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan outlined developments in their respective labour and social policies.
Uzbekistan's First Deputy Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction, Marat Jurayev, summarised the achievements of his country's chairmanship and assessed progress on decisions made at the council's previous meeting.
Representatives of Uzbekistan's labour authorities also received awards on behalf of CIS Secretary-General Sergey Lebedev in recognition of their contribution to regional cooperation.
The CIS Advisory Council serves as a forum for member countries to share experiences, coordinate policies and address common challenges in labour, employment and social protection.
Azerbaijan now takes the lead as it prepares its next round of domestic social reforms, with digital services and employment policies remaining central to its agenda.
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