International Inclusive Employment Conference held with AzerGold CJSC as main sponsor

The International Inclusive Employment Conference was held in Baku on 15–16 October, jointly organised by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the 'Birgə və Sağlam' Public Union, with AzerGold CJSC as the main sponsorship of  AzerGold CJSC.

Representatives of government agencies, the private sector, academia, civil society and international organisations attended the first day of the conference.

Leyla Sadikhova, Adviser to AzerGold CJSC, addressed the official opening ceremony. She noted that, in line with its corporate social responsibility principles, the Company places particular emphasis on expanding employment opportunities in the regions where it operates, improving the social well-being of vulnerable groups and promoting their integration into society.

The conference highlighted that promoting inclusion also involves improving access to social and rehabilitation services. One of the key initiatives in this area is the Regional Autism Centre, which commenced operations in Ganja in 2023. Established at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, with the support of AzerGold CJSC and the organisational involvement of the Birgə və Sağlam Public Union, the Centre has so far enrolled 387 individuals from Ganja and surrounding areas in rehabilitation programmes and provided permanent employment to 11 local residents. The Centre’s services are also available to children of martyrs and war veterans.

The address also highlighted efforts to improve the social well-being of families of martyrs and families of individuals wounded in the war. It was noted that AzerGold CJSC had allocated AZN 1.6 million to the "YAŞAT" Foundation for this purpose.

In addition, under the “Support for the economic development of family members of martyrs and war-wounded individuals” project, organised by the Company, 15 women successfully completed an intensive two-month training programme in confectionery and pastry-making. Necessary measures have been taken to expand their access to employment opportunities and facilitate their entry into the labour market.

At the end of the first day of the conference, the Birgə və Sağlam Public Union presented AzerGold CJSC with a special certificate of appreciation in recognition of its support for the event. The certificate of appreciation was presented by the Heydar Aliyev [sentence incomplete in the source text].

It should be noted that AzerGold CJSC has identified becoming one of the country’s largest employers by 2030 as one of its strategic objectives. The Company currently provides permanent employment to a total of 2850 people, including employees of contractor companies. Of these, 770 are residents of Dashkasan, Goygol and surrounding districts, while 236 are residents of Kalbajar and surrounding districts.

Women account for 156 of the Company’s 946 direct employees. In addition, AzerGold’s workforce includes 15 persons with disabilities and 13 family members of martyrs.