The next meeting of the Working Group on Inclusive Social Development and Social Protection was held to discuss the implementation of the targets set out in the “Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022–2026”.

The meeting, organized in a videoconference format, discussed a report on the monitoring and evaluation of the work carried out during the first half of 2026 under the Strategy’s objectives of “Ensuring that every citizen benefits from development” and “High and fair social protection” (the “Dynamic, inclusive and socially just society” National Priority).

The head of the Working Group and Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population Rashad Mustafayev noted the achievements of the social reforms implemented in recent years. He noted that the current year is the final year of the Strategy and that targeted work is being carried out this year to achieve the established targets, emphasizing the importance of strengthening inter-institutional coordination in this area.

Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication Tarana Salifova provided information on the overall status of the implementation of the Strategy and the main areas of the monitoring process. Taking into account that the implementation period of the Strategy will conclude this year, she highlighted the importance of accelerating the implementation of the measures.

Subsequently, Elnur Alakbarov, Deputy Chair of the Working Group and Head of the Economic Analysis Department of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, presented the preliminary monitoring and evaluation results for the first half of 2026 regarding the relevant objectives of the Strategy.

The presentation provided information on the results achieved, the status of progress towards the targets, areas where implementation needs to be accelerated, as well as the key challenges and recommendations identified during the monitoring process.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on the work carried out and upcoming tasks related to improving the wage system, promoting employment in the private sector, formalizing labour relations, expanding access to the labour market for vulnerable population groups, improving the targeted state social assistance and pension systems, as well as expanding social services and rehabilitation opportunities.

In addition to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population and the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Science and Education, Ministry of Health, Central Bank, State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Affairs, and Youth Foundation are represented in the Working Group on Inclusive Social Development and Social Protection.