BAKU — Enhancing labor mobility and developing professional retraining programs are crucial as Azerbaijan transitions toward a green economy, stated Sahil Babayev, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

According to Trend News Agency, during his opening remarks on the third day of the international conference at Baku Climate Action Week, Minister Babayev emphasized the profound impact of the green economy shift on the labor market. He noted that the transition is expected to create new jobs while transforming traditional sectors like oil and gas. "The speed and quality of this transformation will largely depend on the preparation of skilled professionals and the effectiveness of labor management," Babayev explained.

The minister highlighted that digitalization and new technologies would introduce new employment forms, accelerate changes in the labor market, create new professions, and render some existing skills obsolete. "This will require increased labor mobility and the creation of conditions for professional retraining and adaptation," he added.

Babayev underscored the importance of safeguarding labor and social rights during this transition, which forms an essential part of the human capital development framework. "As in other countries, this issue is of particular significance for Azerbaijan," he remarked, citing international organizations' observations of substantial changes in the structure of national wealth in many developed countries in recent years.

The minister also detailed the adaptability needed within the social protection system to support the shift to a green economy effectively. He outlined the Azerbaijani government's commitment under President Ilham Aliyev to enhancing citizen welfare and building a strong social state. This commitment includes expanding social program coverage, simplifying access to social services, and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver effective assistance to low-income families.