Azar Bayramov

Director General, Labour Center of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

As part of the working visit of a high-level Senegalese delegation to the Republic of Azerbaijan, undertaken at the invitation of the Labour Centre of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (#OICLabourCentre), Director General of the OIC Labour Centre, H.E. Mr Azar Bayramov, and Minister of Civil Service, Labour and Public Service Reform of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Mr Mamadou Lamine Dianté, held a bilateral meeting on 4 September 2026.

The meeting focused on cooperation between the OIC Labour Centre and #Senegal, with particular emphasis on occupational safety and health (#OSH). Preparations for the 24th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, to be held in Dakar in 2027, and the strategic partnership in this context were among the key areas of discussion.

Mr Azar Bayramov highlighted #OccupationalSafetyandHealth as one of the OIC Labour Centre’s priority areas. He underlined the importance of preventive approaches, safe and healthy working environments, and the exchange of knowledge and experience among #OIC Member States.

Mr Mamadou Lamine Dianté highlighted the significance of the 24th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work being held on the African continent for the first time. He noted the Congress’s role in bringing national experiences, emerging priorities and contemporary approaches to occupational safety and health into international dialogue. He further emphasised that the OIC Labour Centre’s participation as a Strategic Partner would contribute to broader engagement and cooperation among OIC Member States within the Congress.

Following the bilateral meeting, the Labour Centre of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Ministry of Civil Service, Labour and Public Service Reform of the Republic of Senegal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a strategic partnership for the 24th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work. The MoU was signed by Mr Azar Bayramov and Mr Mamadou Lamine Dianté.

The MoU establishes a framework for the OIC Labour Centre’s participation as a Strategic Partner in the Congress in Dakar in 2027. The partnership aims to advance coordinated efforts in occupational safety and health, with emphasis on #OccupationalRiskPrevention, safe and healthy working environments, and forward-looking responses to emerging challenges in the world of work. It will also facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experience and perspectives from OIC Member States and support their engagement in the Congress.

The strategic partnership reflects the OIC Labour Centre’s mandate to promote #DecentWork, strengthen cooperation among OIC Member States, and advance safer and more #ResilientLabourMarkets. It also reinforces the Centre’s engagement with international partners in addressing shared occupational safety and health priorities and evolving challenges in the world of work.

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

A high-level delegation of the Republic of Senegal, headed by Mr Mamadou Lamine Dianté, Minister of Civil Service, Labour and Public Service Reform, paid a working visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan on 3–4 September 2026 at the invitation of the Labour Centre of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (#OICLabourCentre). Organised and facilitated by the OIC Labour Centre, the visit aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between #Azerbaijan and #Senegal as OIC Member States and to promote closer institutional engagement in the fields of #SocialProtection, labour, employment and other areas of mutual interest.

On 3 September 2026, as part of the visit, Mr Mamadou Lamine Dianté held a bilateral meeting with Mr Anar Aliyev, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Mr Azar Bayramov, Director General of the OIC Labour Centre, participated in the meeting.

The discussions addressed #Labour, #Employment, social dialogue and the digitalisation of social services. The two sides also considered future cooperation between their respective ministries and the development of an appropriate legal framework to support it.

Mr Anar Aliyev outlined Azerbaijan’s ongoing reforms in the social sphere, including the DOST model and the country’s experience in the digitalisation and delivery of social services. He noted Azerbaijan’s readiness to share relevant experience with Senegal, including in labour relations, the establishment of DOST centres and the application of digital solutions in social service delivery.

Mr Mamadou Lamine Dianté welcomed the continued development of relations between the two countries and expressed Senegal’s interest in expanding cooperation between the respective ministries. He placed particular emphasis on maintaining regular exchanges of experience as Senegal advances its own reform efforts.

The meeting reflected the OIC Labour Centre’s role in facilitating direct dialogue and fostering partnerships among #OIC Member States. By facilitating engagement between the labour authorities of Azerbaijan and Senegal, the Centre supported bilateral cooperation in line with its mandate to advance #DecentWork, employment and social protection across OIC Member States.

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

On the sidelines of the 17th United Nations (#UN)–Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (#OIC) General Cooperation Meeting, the Director General of the OIC Labour Centre, H.E. Mr Azar Bayramov, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr Muhammad Saeed Sarwar, Ambassador and Permanent Observer of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nations Office in Geneva, on 23 July 2026.

During the meeting, H.E. Mr Azar Bayramov presented an overview of the OIC Labour Centre’s expanding programme of work in the fields of decent work, labour market development, #SkillsDevelopment, #SocialProtection and #FairLabourMobility. He also highlighted the Centre’s growing efforts to strengthen #OccupationalSafetyandHealth systems, with a particular focus on building institutional capacity, advancing preventive approaches and enhancing worker protection across OIC Member States.

H.E. Mr Bayramov expressed his appreciation to the OIC Permanent Delegation in Geneva for its continued support for the #OICLabourCentre’s activities. He underscored the importance of close coordination with the OIC Permanent Delegation to ensure that the #Labour and employment priorities of OIC Member States are effectively represented in discussions across the United Nations system and other multilateral fora.

H.E. Mr Muhammad Saeed Sarwar commended the OIC Labour Centre’s active engagement and welcomed the significant progress achieved since the commencement of its operations. He noted that the Centre’s expanding portfolio of initiatives has strengthened cooperation among OIC Member States in the fields of labour and #Employment while enhancing its contribution to addressing common workforce development challenges. He further reaffirmed the Permanent Delegation’s readiness to support the Centre’s future initiatives and its continued engagement within the #UnitedNations Office at Geneva.

The meeting reaffirmed the value of close coordination between the OIC Labour Centre and the OIC Permanent Delegation in Geneva in advancing the labour and employment priorities of OIC Member States within the multilateral system. It also reflected the shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in support of #DecentWork, #ResilientLabourMarket institutions, effective occupational safety and health systems, and inclusive, sustainable labour markets across the OIC region.

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

The OIC Labour Centre and the International Organization for Migration (#IOM) signed a Cooperation Agreement in Geneva, Switzerland, on 22 July 2026. The agreement was signed by the Director General of the OIC Labour Centre, Mr Azar Bayramov, and Mr Vincent Houver, Director of the Department of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), establishing a strategic framework for institutional cooperation on labour mobility and migration governance.

The Agreement provides a comprehensive framework for collaboration aimed at promoting safe, orderly and regular #LabourMobility that is fair, inclusive and responsive to the needs of both migrant workers and labour markets. It lays the foundation for closer cooperation across the entire labour migration cycle, encompassing skills-based mobility pathways, #EthicalRecruitment, skills recognition, #MigrantProtection, labour market integration and access to social protection.

During the exchange, the #OICLabourCentre underscored the importance of placing decent work, #SkillsRecognition and #SocialProtection at the centre of labour mobility policies across OIC Member States. IOM, in turn, highlighted the need to expand safe and regular migration pathways that protect migrant workers while responding to evolving labour market demands. Both institutions emphasised that strengthened coordination and partnership are essential to advancing fair, safe and well-governed labour mobility.

The Agreement establishes a strong foundation for joint initiatives on #LabourMigration governance, regular migration pathways and skills-based labour mobility. It also reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening global cooperation in support of migrant workers, promoting #DecentWork, and fostering more inclusive, resilient and #SustainableLabourMarkets across OIC Member States.

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

The OIC Labour Centre and the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (#ICYF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Geneva, Switzerland, on 22 July 2026. The agreement was signed by the Director General of the OIC Labour Centre, H.E. Mr Azar Bayramov, and the President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, H.E. Mr Taha Ayhan, establishing a strategic framework for enhanced institutional cooperation to advance #YouthEmpowerment and #Employment across #OIC Member States.

The MoU provides a foundation for joint initiatives in the areas of youth empowerment, #SkillsDevelopment, labour market inclusion, decent work and #SustainableEmployment. Particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening technical and vocational education and training (#TVET), promoting entrepreneurship, and supporting innovative initiatives that enhance youth employability and expand sustainable economic opportunities. The partnership also envisages the organisation of joint capacity-building activities, including conferences, workshops, seminars, webinars and specialised training programmes.

During the signing, the #OICLabourCentre presented its work in the fields of employment, vocational skills development and #LabourMarket policies, highlighting efforts to align training programmes with evolving labour market needs and to promote the exchange of expertise on skills standards, qualifications and certification systems. The Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, in turn, outlined the contribution of its youth networks and #Entrepreneurship programmes, particularly its support for youth-led start-ups through incubation, acceleration and mentoring initiatives. Both institutions underscored the importance of connecting these complementary areas of expertise to strengthen pathways from #SkillsDevelopment and entrepreneurship to productive employment.

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a practical framework for bringing together young people, entrepreneurs, labour institutions and #VocationalTraining providers through joint programmes and collaborative initiatives. It further reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening youth employability, promoting #DecentWork, fostering entrepreneurship and supporting more inclusive, resilient and future-oriented labour markets across OIC Member States

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

The OIC Labour Centre participated in the 17th United Nations (#UN)–Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (#OIC) General Meeting on Cooperation, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 22 to 24 July 2026. The meeting opened with statements by H.E. Dr Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and H.E. Mr Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. Their remarks set the strategic direction for three days of deliberations reviewing progress achieved since the 2024 meeting and identifying priorities for the next phase of UN–OIC cooperation.

Bringing together representatives of the United Nations system, the OIC General Secretariat and OIC institutions, the meeting provided a platform to assess existing cooperation and explore opportunities for closer institutional coordination in addressing shared political, economic, scientific, social and humanitarian priorities. Discussions covered a broad range of issues, including conflict prevention, humanitarian response, #ArtificialIntelligence, climate change, public health, #SkillsDevelopment, social protection, women’s economic empowerment and #SustainableDevelopment.

During the meeting, the Director General of the OIC Labour Centre, H.E. Mr Azar Bayramov, delivered a statement highlighting the Centre’s growing contribution to practical UN–OIC cooperation. He underscored that addressing emerging challenges in skills development, #LabourMigration, digital transformation, #OccupationalSafetyandHealth, and #SocialProtection requires stronger international coordination and effective multilateral partnerships. Drawing on the Centre’s expanding portfolio of cooperation, H.E. Mr Bayramov highlighted the jointly developed report, Just Transition Scenarios for Central Asia and Azerbaijan, prepared in cooperation with international partners.

He further referred to the Centre’s expanding cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (#IOM) on labour migration and skills-based mobility, as well as its collaboration with #UNHabitat to advance sustainable urban development, employment and inclusive cities.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of translating institutional dialogue into practical, results-oriented cooperation. The #OICLabourCentre’s participation reflected its continued commitment to advancing #DecentWork, strengthening labour market institutions, promoting fair and orderly #LabourMobility, and fostering inclusive, resilient and #SustainableLabourMarkets across OIC Member States.

[Azar Bayramov @AzerBayramov]

Marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work - the conference “Managing Psychosocial Risks at Workplaces: Modern Approaches and Solutions”.

#SafeDay #SafeDay2026 #OICLabourCentre #ILO

[Azar Bayramov @AzerBayramov]

Conference “Safety at Work is the Foundation of Effective Activity”, organized by the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation.

#SafeDay #SafeDay2026 #OICLabourCentre

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

The conference “Safety at Work is the Foundation of Effective Activity”, dedicated to World Day for Safety and Health at Work was held in Baku on 27 April 2026. Organised by the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation, the conference commenced with remarks by Mr Sahib Mammadov, Chairman of the Confederation, who underlined the importance of labour protection, safer workplace practices, and continued institutional efforts in this field.

The OIC Labour Centre engaged in the event as part of its continued work on occupational safety and health, with discussions addressing OSH as a core element of worker protection, productive workplaces, and sustainable human capital development. The event brought together representatives of state institutions and Members of Parliament, alongside international organisations and social partners. Discussions focused on workplace safety standards, preventive measures, labour legislation, social dialogue, and the role of international labour standards in strengthening occupational safety and health systems.

During the conference, the Director General of the OIC Labour Centre, Mr Azar Bayramov, delivered a speech highlighting occupational safety and health as one of the central priorities of the Centre’s mandate. He underlined that effective action in this area extends beyond reducing workplace risks, also contributing to stronger labour productivity, healthier working environments, and broader socio-economic resilience. His remarks further outlined the Centre’s ongoing work in this field, including needs assessments across Member States, targeted capacity-building programmes, cooperation with partner institutions, and OSHNET as a platform coordinated by the Centre, for knowledge exchange, institutional cooperation, and effective practices.

Overall, the discussions underscored the need for sustained cooperation, preventive action, and stronger OSH standards and practices in addressing evolving workplace risks. The OIC Labour Centre’s engagement in the event aligned with its mandate to support safer and healthier working environments, strengthen institutional cooperation, and advance decent work across OIC Member States.

#OICLabourCentre
#OccupationalSafetyandHealth
#SafeDay

[Azar Bayramov @AzerBayramov]

Conference dedicated to the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, co-organized by the OIC Labour Centre.

#SafeDay #SafeDay2026 #OICLabourCentre

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

World Day for Safety and Health at Work, observed on 28 April, reaffirms that a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work. This international day highlights the central importance of occupational safety and health in advancing #decentwork, worker protection, and sustainable labour market development. It further underscores the need for sustained action to prevent occupational risks, reinforce #workplacesafeguards, and promote safer working environments across all sectors.

This year’s global focus on the psychosocial working environment makes clear that workplace pressures are not marginal concerns, but factors that can directly shape workers’ well-being, safety, and performance. Psychosocial risks linked to workload, insecurity, and weak support systems require significant policy attention and effective workplace response. Addressing these challenges calls for stronger regular risk assessment, effective reporting mechanisms, and practical training measures that protect mental well-being alongside physical safety.

In this context, the OIC Labour Centre continues to promote stronger #OccupationalSafetyAndHealth approaches, improved labour protection, and safer and healthier workplaces across OIC Member States. These efforts contribute to higher workplace standards, and labour markets that are more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.

#OICLabourCentre #SafeDay #SafeDay2026

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

The OIC Labour Centre, in collaboration with the Risk Management Professionals Society, co-organised the 5th Annual HSE Conference in Baku on 25 April 2026, marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The conference provided a valuable platform for dialogue on current occupational safety and health priorities, with a strong focus on workplace safety, prevention measures, and practical approaches to enhancing standards across the sector.

The event addressed current occupational safety and health priorities through discussions on risk management, quality standards, preventive approaches, and practical measures to strengthen workplace safety.
Panel speakers included high-level representatives from the International Labour Organization, members of the National Parliament, the State Labour Inspection Service, and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

During the panel discussions, Director General of the OIC Labour Centre, Mr Azar Bayramov, emphasised that occupational safety and health is a central pillar of modern labour relations and is of particular importance for OIC Member States. He underlined that it goes beyond the reduction of workplace risks, encompassing the protection of life and health, the enhancement of labour productivity, the promotion of healthier and more sustainable working environments, and the advancement of broader socio-economic development.

His remarks also highlighted the OIC Labour Centre’s ongoing engagement in advancing OIC-OSHNET, conducting needs assessments across Member States, implementing capacity-building programmes, and supporting Member States in the development and improvement of #OSH standards and regulatory frameworks.

The programme of the conference also featured interactive group activities, encouraging participation and practical exchange throughout the event.

The conference reinforced the OIC Labour Centre’s continued commitment to promoting safer and healthier working environments, strengthening preventive approaches, and advancing cooperation on occupational safety and health across OIC Member States.

#OICLabourCentre
#SafeDay
#SafeDay2026

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

The OIC Labour Centre and Baku State University signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan, on 23 April 2026. The agreement was signed by Director General of the OIC Labour Centre, Mr Azar Bayramov, and Rector of Baku State University, Mr Elchin Babayev.

The MoU established a framework for cooperation in areas of shared interest, with particular focus on labour markets, employment, and workforce development. It also created a basis for joint initiatives aimed at strengthening links between education and labour market needs.

During the exchange, Baku State University highlighted its recent efforts to strengthen practical preparation, expand research and training activity, and deepen international cooperation in areas linked to labour market development. In parallel, the OIC Labour Centre’s work on employment policy, labour market analysis, vocational training and upskilling, youth employment, and innovative employment solutions across Member States was also underlined.

This partnership reinforced the OIC Labour Centre’s commitment to advancing practical cooperation that supports knowledge exchange, skills development, and stronger labour market institutions across OIC Member States. It also reflected the value of closer engagement between higher education institutions and policy-oriented labour initiatives.

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

The delegation of the OIC Labour Centre participated in the 356th Session of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (@ilo), held in Geneva from 23 March to 2 April 2026.

The session provided a high-level forum for deliberation on a wide range of labour and governance matters. Discussions addressed institutional and policy questions, international labour standards, development cooperation, and areas closely aligned with the Centre’s mandate, including #socialdialogue, #labourmarketgovernance, and #decentwork.

Through this engagement, the OIC Labour Centre followed key labour policy developments at the multilateral level and remained directly involved in discussions of strategic importance to OIC Member States. Consequently, it reinforced the Centre’s ongoing work to strengthen labour policy dialogue and support more resilient and inclusive labour markets.

[Azar Bayramov @AzerBayramov]

I had the pleasure of meeting with Ms. SungAh Lee @LeeSungAh_, Deputy Director General for Management and Reform of the International Organization for Migration in Geneva.

We discussed #LabourMigration and opportunities to strengthen cooperation through a joint action plan.

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination raises awareness of the continuing need to address racial discrimination and uphold #equality, #dignity, and fundamental rights.

Its relevance extends directly to labour markets and workplaces, where #discrimination can limit access to #employment, erode treatment, and deepen exclusion. Responding to these challenges requires policies and measures that secure equal opportunity, strengthen protection, and support access to #decentwork for all.

#OICLabourCentre remains engaged in promoting more inclusive and equitable labour markets worldwide.

#EndRacialDiscrimination
#InclusiveLabourMarkets

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

OIC LC engaged in the European Employment & Social Rights Forum 2026 in Brussels, with DG Mr. Azar Bayramov participating. The EU flagship forum on employment, social protection and social rights focused on quality jobs, poverty reduction and fair labour mobility. #EUSocialForum

[Abdullah Eren @abdullah_eren]

🌍🫱🏼‍🫲🏽🇹🇷 TİKA’mız ve İslam İşbirliği Teşkilatı Çalışma Merkezi (OIC Labour Center) arasındaki iş birliğini güçlendiriyoruz!

İslam İşbirliği Teşkilatı Çalışma Merkezi (OIC Labour Center) Genel Direktörü Sayın Azar Bayramov ile imzaladığımız protokol, üye ülkelerde istihdam politikalarının desteklenmesi, iş güvenliğinin artırılması, mesleki eğitim kapasitesinin geliştirilmesi ve iş gücü piyasalarına yönelik kurumsal altyapının güçlendirilmesine yönelik önemli müşterek faaliyetleri kapsıyor.

Bu işbirliğiyle üye ülkelerde sürdürülebilir fırsatlar yaratmayı ve iş gücü piyasalarını güçlendirmeyi hedefliyoruz. Hayırlı ve uğurlu olsun!

[Azar Bayramov @AzerBayramov]

We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mr. Abdullah Eren @abdullah_eren, President of TİKA, marking an important milestone in cooperation between the OIC Labour Centre and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency. A meaningful step toward shared development goals.

[OIC Labour Centre @OICLabourCentre]

OIC Labour Centre and TİKA signed an MoU in Ankara, the Republic of Türkiye, on 27 February 2026 to support practical cooperation for OIC Member States, including workforce development, skills and vocational training, OSH and stronger employment services.