On May 13, 2026, Baku hosted a landmark gathering that positioned workers at the center of climate action. An international conference on trade union activities in the context of climate change brought together representatives from the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (AHIK), the National Centre of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan (TNTUC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and government leaders across the region—a rare alignment of voices usually operating in separate spheres.
The timing matters. As the world accelerates its transition to low-carbon economies, millions of workers face uncertainty about their livelihoods, job security, and workplace safety. The conference acknowledged what climate discussions often overlook: that environmental sustainability cannot be achieved without protecting workers' rights and ensuring their voices shape policy from the start.
Sahib Mammadov, Chairman of AHIK, opened the discussion by stressing the importance of strengthening trade union participation in climate-related policymaking, insisting that workers' interests must remain central to the transition ahead. His counterpart, Oguljennet Berdiliyeva, Chairperson of the National Centre of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan, underscored the value of regional cooperation and shared learning on how to address the social consequences of climate change—a particularly urgent concern in Central Asia, where climate pressures are already reshaping economic realities.
The conference featured remarks from high-level figures including Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues; Zaur Aliyev, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection; and Musa Guliyev, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Labour and Social Policy. This breadth of participation from both labour and government institutions signaled genuine commitment to dialogue.
Gocha Aleksandria, Senior Specialist for Workers' Activities at the ILO Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, presented the organization's framework for linking climate action with social justice. His presentation emphasized that effective climate policy requires close integration with decent work, labour rights, and inclusive economic development. Critically, he outlined how trade unions can actively shape Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—the climate commitments countries make under the Paris Agreement—by advocating for stronger labour and social provisions and ensuring that climate policies address employment impacts, occupational safety, health protections, and workforce reskilling.
Panel discussions delved into the growing collision between climate change and the world of work. Participants examined heat stress affecting outdoor workers, shifting employment patterns, evolving occupational risks, and migration pressures in sectors like agriculture, industry, and construction. Rather than presenting this as doom, speakers also highlighted opportunities: the creation of green jobs and the potential for workforce reskilling programs that could position workers to benefit from, rather than be displaced by, the clean energy transition.
International examples shared during the conference demonstrated practical pathways—how trade unions in different countries have successfully engaged in climate governance, fostered social dialogue, and helped design just transition processes that protect vulnerable workers while advancing environmental goals.
The conference also strengthened ties between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan's trade union organizations, laying groundwork for sustained regional cooperation on these interconnected challenges. In a world where climate and labour issues are often siloed, this gathering modeled what integrated, inclusive action looks like—and proved that workers' organizations belong at the table when the future is being written.