Khankendi to host discussions on future of social services at SOCGOV 2026
Baku, September 23, AZERTAC
The development of social services and the integration of digital technologies into the sector are shaping a new stage in government-citizen relations. The SOCGOV initiative serves as a global platform promoting innovative governance in the social sector.
The platform’s mission is to improve the quality of social services and make them more accessible, responsive, and transparent through the application of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. The initiative is of particular importance for Azerbaijan, as the country has already developed advanced practices in the digitalization of social services and is now bringing this experience to the international level.
Ensuring citizens’ well-being is at the core of the policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev, which has underpinned Azerbaijan’s rapid progress and historic Victory. Over the past seven years, five major social reform packages have been implemented, covering 4 million people and providing an additional annual allocation of AZN 8 billion. The reforms have resulted in substantial increases in social payments and significant advances in strengthening social protection.
Another important area of social reform is the digitalization of the state social services system. Some 90 percent of the 164 services provided by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population have been digitized, with 55 proactive services now available. The Ministry’s e-systems are currently integrated with the databases of nearly 80 institutions. These e-services have made services across various areas more efficient and transparent while improving their accessibility for citizens. Work is also underway under a roadmap for applying artificial intelligence in state social services, with initial steps already taken in this area.
SOCGOV, which has emerged as one of the leading platforms connecting the future of the social sector with technology, has rapidly developed into an internationally recognized Azerbaijani brand. The initiative, named after the term “Social Governance,” was launched as an idea of the DOST Agency. Its core mission is to bring experts from around the world together to discuss innovative solutions for enhancing the quality of social services.
The inaugural SOCGOV conference, held at Gulustan Palace in Baku in October 2025 under the slogan “Artificial Intelligence for Humanity and Transformation,” brought together government officials, representatives of international organizations, academics, and private-sector representatives from more than ten countries. The event also saw the announcement that SOCGOV would become a long-term platform rather than a one-time conference. The DOST Agency unveiled SOCGOV as a five-year development strategy, aiming to expand its scope annually.
The next phase of the strategy is SOCGOV 2026, which will take place in Khankendi on October 23 under the theme “Digital Analytics for Smart Governance.” The selection of Khankendi as the venue carries particular significance. It will serve both to present to the international community the new life and smart city concept taking shape in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories and to underscore the vision of social governance built on inclusive and sustainable development.
SOCGOV 2026 will feature a rich and diverse agenda. Following its official opening in the morning, the forum will continue with high-level panels, TEDx-style discussions, and thematic working groups. Key topics will include digital analytics, the use of artificial intelligence in social services, ethical governance, and data-driven decision-making. At the heart of the discussions will be one key question: how can technology make services more accessible, flexible, and transparent for citizens rather than more impersonal and distant?
The evening awards ceremony will be one of the highlights of the forum. Held for the first time as part of SOCGOV 2026, the international AI4DOST Social Award competition will recognize innovation in the social sector. Eligible entries include startups developing AI-based solutions for social services, projects distinguished by social volunteering and civic engagement, research making a scientific contribution to the field, and social initiatives creating a regional impact. The awards will also honor the Young Social Innovator of the Year, leaders of social transformation, and individuals who have made sustained contributions to the social sector. The winners will be announced on the forum stage.
A distinctive feature of SOCGOV 2026 is that it has already transcended the boundaries of a regional event. The forum has been included in the official calendar of prominent institutions, including the International Social Security Association (ISSA), and is attracting participants from countries around the world. This reflects the growing recognition of the DOST model developed in Azerbaijan as an example in global discussions on social governance.
Ultimately, SOCGOV 2026 is not simply a conference focused on technology. It is a platform that will showcase in Khankendi how the concept of government services can be reimagined through AI and data-driven solutions and presented to an international audience.
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