Leading companies and NGOs discussed national corporate social responsibility practices
- Ashraf Hajiyev
- 9 minutes ago
- 3 min read
For the first time, NGO-private sector expert discussions were held on the development of national corporate social responsibility practice
The NGO-private sector expert discussions held on November 20-21, 2025 were attended by 25 leading companies with advanced experience in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR), banks, business associations, representatives of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, Azerbaijan Confederation of Entrepreneurs, as well as representatives of NGOs specializing in various fields from the NGO sector.
The purpose of the expert discussions is to support the development of existing CSR practice in Azerbaijan through multilateral efforts, to improve cooperation mechanisms between companies and NGOs for more effective results, and to prepare recommendations for strengthening multilateral partnerships.
The expert discussions were held within the framework of the project “Strengthening the role of NGOs in the development of national corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice” implemented by the “Prioritet” Socio-Economic Research Center PU, a member of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum (ANNF).
The project is being implemented with the financial assistance of the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Opening the expert discussions with an introductory speech, Ramil Iskanderli, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum (ANNF), noted that NGOs are ready to work closely with the private sector to develop their existing CSR practices. He noted that efforts to care for the common good are the greatest value that unites NGOs and the private sector.
Zaur Ibrahimli, Chairman of the “Prioritet” Socio-Economic Research Center PU, said that these discussions, held for the first time, will allow the private sector and NGOs to better understand and get to know each other. Most importantly, they will help identify expectations, gaps, and assess existing potential. The main task of the discussions is to find points that will strengthen cooperation between the private sector and NGOs in the field of CSR and to identify recommendations.
Deputy Head of the Marketing Department of the International Bank of Azerbaijan Yadigar Jafarli, Head of the Public Relations and Marketing Department of “AzerGold” CJSC Ariz Tarverdiyev, and NAR Mobile Public Relations and Corporate Communications Department employee Nurana Aliyeva made presentations on CSR management within companies, cooperation with NGOs and communities, project monitoring and accountability, expressed their views on the future outlook, evolution of CSR, and shared specific examples.
Project leader Zaur Ibrahimli presented the results of a study conducted on the current state of cooperation between NGOs and the private sector in the field of CSR from the perspective of NGOs.
Project expert Alimammad Nuriyev made proposals on strengthening cooperation between NGOs and the private sector in the field of CSR. Other project experts Shahin Nasrullayev and Mirali Huseynov shared their views.
Ilhama Abdullayeva, Head of the Press Service of the Azerbaijan Confederation of Entrepreneurs, noted the need for NGOs to better study CSR principles of companies, to ensure professionalism and accountability in their work.
Company representatives expressed their views on the prospects of cooperation with NGOs, elimination of existing gaps, and development of CSR practice, made proposals, and answered questions.
The issues raised and discussed in the expert discussions will be reviewed again at the conference to be held with the participation of all interested parties on the topic “Participation of NGOs in CSR policy of the private sector: experience, approaches” and further steps will be determined.
Source of the news: https://www.qht.az/details/az/46800
Comments