On December 14, 2024, the second “Industrial Safety Summit” was held at Marriott Hotel Boulevard, jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Industrial Safety Association and the Scientific-Research Institute of Labor Protection and Safety Engineering of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan. The Summit, held under the slogan “Towards Zero”, spanned a full day and featured opening speeches by officials, one Davos-style panel, one TEDx-style panel, and the HSE Awards, with around 15 speakers and moderators participating and over 350 industry leaders, managers, and decision-makers in attendance. The event was sponsored by bp, GL Group, IST Services, and Latvia’s SIA Sunstar Group.
Representatives from private and public enterprises, company executives, government officials, and entrepreneurs discussed global innovations, advanced solutions, and best practices in industrial safety, environmental protection, climate change, and workplace safety.
The opening speeches were delivered by Vüqar Kərimov, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Climate Champion and Member of Parliament, Cavid Abdullayev, Director of the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources, and Orkhan Khalilzade, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Industrial Safety Association. Orkhan Khalilzade highlighted that the Summit’s main goal is to develop a culture of industrial safety in Azerbaijan, share best practices, and create a more secure and sustainable working environment.
The first panel, “From Synergy to Energy”, moderated by Nazim Mammadov, National Coordinator for UNDP Energy and Climate Change Projects, featured speakers Elmar Gasimov (Rector, Baku Higher Oil School), Vilayat Veliev (Rector, Azerbaijan Technical University), Alesgar Hasanov (Head, Electricity and Thermal Energy Department, Ministry of Energy), Murad Sadikhov (Country Manager, Masdar Azerbaijan), and Nadir Efendiyev (General Manager, Taghiyev Operating Company MMC, affiliate of GL Group). This Davos-style panel focused on accelerating the transition to alternative energy sources, enhancing industrial safety, and fostering collaboration among government, business, and academia to drive global efforts against climate change through innovative solutions.
The second panel, “Speak-Up”, moderated by Nazim M. Mammadov, Deputy Director for Production at DTSERA Prosthetics and Orthotics Manufacturing and Rehabilitation Center, featured speakers Rashad Haqverdiyev (Head, HSE and Quality Control, AZAL), Zibeyda Aliyeva (HSE & Carbon Consultant, BP Sangachal Terminal), Vuqar Hajiyev (Head of Quality and HSE, PMD Projects MMC), Martins Vanags (Business Development Partner, SIA Sunstar Group, Latvia), Zuleikha Rasulova (Manager, Environmental and Occupational Health, ADNOC Onshore Operations), and Nurlan Bagirov (Head of HSE, COP29 Azerbaijan Operations). This TEDx-style panel highlighted decarbonization, HSE innovations, open communication, and psychological safety as key drivers of industrial innovation and collaboration. Global trends, modern innovations, and best practices in industrial and labor safety, environmental protection, climate action, and workplace safety were also discussed.
The Summit concluded with the “HSE Awards”, recognizing outstanding achievements in workplace safety, environmental protection, and sustainability across various industries. The awards promoted excellence in HSE practices and encouraged the adoption of safer and more sustainable business solutions.
