At the initiative of the DOST Agency operating under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan, an international conference titled “SOCGOV 2025: Artificial Intelligence for Humanity and Transformation” is being held in Baku.

The conference, organized at the Gulustan Palace, brings together government officials, members of parliament, representatives of non-governmental and international organizations, local and international experts — nearly 350 participants from about 20 countries. The event began with the screening of a video dedicated to the activities of the DOST Agency.

Opening the conference, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Anar Aliyev noted that the event also marks the first presentation of the new DOST brand “SocGov,” symbolizing the beginning of a new phase of innovation and mindset in social governance.

The Minister emphasized that the human factor lies at the heart of President Ilham Aliyev’s social policy, and as a result, consistent and profound reforms have been implemented in the social sphere in recent years. He highlighted the achievements of five major social reform packages carried out between 2018 and 2025 and the significant increases in social payments.

Speaking about ensuring social justice, transparency, and efficiency in service delivery and the transition from administrative methods to a service model, Anar Aliyev stressed the importance of the DOST Concept, initiated by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva. He noted the international success of the DOST model and the keen interest in its adoption in several countries, including Moldova, Uzbekistan, and Serbia. He also discussed key advancements in digitalizing public social services, noting that the Ministry’s Centralized Electronic Information System, which consists of 18 subsystems and 4 registries, has been integrated with the databases of about 80 institutions. More than 90% of the Ministry’s 150 services are now provided via digital platforms, including 52 services that are offered proactively.

Anar Aliyev stated that the Ministry has ranked first among state institutions in the “ASAN Service Index” for the past three years and has received nearly 250 international recognitions and awards. These achievements demonstrate that Azerbaijan’s social governance model is acknowledged globally as a reliable, innovative, and people-centered example.

The Minister also noted that work is being carried out in line with a three-year Roadmap developed within the Ministry’s Strategy for applying artificial intelligence technologies. He stated that an AI-based text analysis function has already been implemented in the “Disability” subsystem, and an AI-powered advisory mechanism is currently under development. This mechanism will help accelerate decision-making processes while enhancing objectivity and transparency. The application of AI solutions in employment and rehabilitation is also planned, and integrating such technologies across all areas of the Ministry’s activities is among its strategic goals.

Speakers at the conference included Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan; Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency; Musa Guliyev, Chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee on Labor and Social Policy; Ahmet Aydın, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Turkey; and Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan. They all emphasized the significance of organizing a conference that discusses the impact of artificial intelligence on social life and current issues of social transformation.

The event continues with panel discussions on the topics “Digital Government and Transformation through Artificial Intelligence,” “Artificial Intelligence and Social Inclusion in Social Services,” and “The Future of the Labor Market, Skills Development, and Digital Entrepreneurship.” Local and international experts share the experiences of their respective organizations, present their views and suggestions on the implementation of innovative approaches and modern technologies in social services. The program also includes the presentation of certificates of appreciation and symbolic gifts to foreign participants.

24.10.2025