On October 14, a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Pan European Regional Council of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) was held in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. A delegation headed by Sahib Mammadov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation took part in the event.
The General Secretary of PERC Mrs. Ester Lynch informed the members of the Executive Committee about the issues put on the agenda and the work to be done. At the meeting, preparation and action plans for the meeting of the General Council of ITUC, conducted campaigns were discussed, and the work plan of 2025 was reviewed.At the meeting, the preparatory process for the International Labor Conference of the International Labor Organization (ILO), COP29 and other relevant topics were exchanged.Bert De Vel, expert on climate policy of ITUC, spoke about the importance of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the duties of trade unions in this direction and the work to be done.Speaking at the event, the Chairman of AHIK Sahib Mammadov noted the consequences of climate change, a fair transition and the role of trade unions in this process. He said that preparations for COP29 are being made at a professional level in Azerbaijan, which is a stable and safe country.
He also expressed confidence that COP29 will be held in a transparent, impartial and inclusive manner, and that sustainability and solidarity will be celebrated at the highest level in all aspects of the event. As a result, he pointed out that all this will lead to the reduction of environmental impacts and wide public participation.At the same time, the chairman of the AHIK spoke about the work done in the direction of protecting labor rights and creating decent working conditions in Azerbaijan, and emphasized the importance of the declarations, decisions, as well as tasks and recommendations of the AHIK for the trade unions of Azerbaijan. He noted that cooperation between AHIK and ITUC is at a high level, and appropriate steps will be taken in the future to expand relations.”Global climate changes are having a greater impact on the coal, oil and gas industry, as well as the workers who work there.For this reason, we must realize that our colleagues are at risk and take measures to protect their rights. A fair transition to the “green economy” is the most effective and only way out. I believe that unemployment insurance, continuous education opportunities should be among the important measures. In this process, we should also pay special attention to inclusion, because the fair transition is not only for the workers of highly developed countries, but also the rights of the workers of developing countries must be protected,” Sahib Mammadov emphasized.In his speech, the chairman of AHIK drew attention to the importance of joint cooperation in the implementation of the upcoming goals and tasks: “International cooperation is the main factor in a just transition.Unions, employers and the government must come together and combine their efforts to protect labor rights. We are obliged to do this so that future generations have a greener and more sustainable world.”Other speeches were also heard at the event, projects implemented for 2024-2025, upcoming tasks, financial reports were discussed, reports of the Youth and Women’s Committees of PERC were heard.
The chairman of AHIK also met with Mrs. Ester Lynch, Secretary General of PERC, within the framework of the event. Thanking the General Secretary for the invitation to the meeting of the Executive Committee, the chairman of the AHIK said that he was happy to meet with his colleagues in the PERC and ITUC.
The chairman of the confederation recalled the international conference held in Baku last month on “Climate changes and just transition: the role and activity of trade unions” and noted the contribution of this event to bilateral cooperation. Also, the General Secretary of PERC was informed about the work and projects implemented by AHIK, and the essence of the “AHIK Volunteers” program was discussed. It was noted that this program is useful in promoting the activities of trade unions and increasing their reputation, but it is also an important opportunity for young people to improve their knowledge and skills, reveal their talents and gain experience.Information was also given about the project “Ambassadors of Decent Labor”, which will consist of well-known figures of our country, and both projects attracted the interest of General Secretary Esther Lynch.
Climate changes, duties of trade unions to achieve a fair transition, the importance of joint struggle against this global problem were discussed and opinions were exchanged at the meeting.
Thanking Sahib Mammadov for accepting the invitation and participating in the meeting of the Executive Committee, General Secretary Ester Lynch expressed her satisfaction with the level of relations between ITUC and PERC with AHIK and emphasized the confidence that the cooperation will continue to develop dynamically. At the meeting, opinions were also exchanged on issues of mutual interest. At the end, the chairman of AHIK Sahib Mammadov presented Mrs. Ester Lynch with a kalagai decorated with national ornaments.