On October 21st, the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, in partnership with Coca-Cola Azerbaijan, hosted a workshop for media representatives on understanding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reports and how to correctly interpret them.
Due to the increasing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reports within the context of sustainable development, the workshop aimed to equip 60 local media representatives (from television and information agencies) with insights into the comprehensive definition and analysis of ESG reports. The workshop sought to promote greater awareness of ESG reporting and encourage the use of practical analytical methods.
At the opening of the event, Ayan Najaf, a member of the Coordination Board and Spokesperson for the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, alongside Elshad Farzaliyev, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability for Eurasia and the Middle East at Coca-Cola Azerbaijan, delivered welcoming addresses. They underscored the vital role of the media in shaping public discourse on sustainability issues, noting the importance of ESG reports in communicating information accurately and impactfully to the wider public.
The workshop featured a keynote presentation from Serdar Turan, Editor-in-Chief of Harvard Business Review Türkiye, who offered a thorough overview of the significant changes in the business landscape and the pivotal role that sustainability plays in shaping these ESG developments. He also covered topics such as shifting habits in news consumption, the contrast between traditional and digital news strategies, and the importance of embracing diverse viewpoints.
Following this, Coca Cola’s Elshad Farzaliyev, examined the solutions essential for securing a better future, illustrating his points with Coca-Cola’s sustainability policies and practices as a prime example.
The workshop continued with presentations from leading experts at PwC Azerbaijan, including Leyla Sadikhova, Senior Manager of Legal and Sustainability/ESG, and Gunay Asgarova, Senior Manager of Assurance and Advisory Services (CMAAS) in Accounting and Sustainability. They offered participants valuable insights into reading and analysing ESG reports, as well as the legal framework governing ESG in Azerbaijan.
In addition to the workshop session, the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company also hosted a briefing session that featured several informative presentations. This included: Ismayil Isayev, a member of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company’s Coordination Board; Kamal Mammadov, Head of the Accessibility Department; Ilkin Javadov, Head of Visitor Experience; Orkhan Mahmudlu, Head of Transport and City Operations; and Pirim Pirimov, Director of Media Operations. Each of these spokespeople provided participants with insights into COP29 operations and readiness to host the conference, addressing key topics such as media services, visitor experience, accommodation options, transportation, and catering.
