Global CEO Summit 2026 was held in Baku on February 25, organized jointly by Azərbaycan HR Institute and CEO Club Azerbaijan with LinkedIn – the world’s leading professional business platform – as the Main Partner and Smart Solutions Group as the Sponsor. The event brought together CEOs of local and global companies, government officials, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. The event brought together CEOs of local and global companies, government officials, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.
“Global CEO Summit 2026” was organized in alignment with the “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development” approved by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, dated February 2, 2021. The Summit was based on the first of the five national priorities – “Sustainably Growing Competitive Economy” – aiming to contribute to economic development and global integration, support the advancement of management and human capital, foster financial and digital transformation, and promote the development of a workforce aligned with modern requirements. The event was held under the slogan “Leading Change Together” in response to technological advancements and the innovations they bring today and in the future.
The Summit brought together CEOs of local and international companies, C-level executives, government representatives, and entrepreneurs. It served as a strategic platform to discuss a new leadership model amid shifting geopolitical realities, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, climate challenges, and the transformation of the labor market.
On February 25, 2026, during the “Global CEO Summit,” and upon the initiative of the Head of the Organizing Committee, Emil Huseynov, with the participation of leading local and international CEOs, February 25 was celebrated for the first time as “International CEO Day.” The primary purpose of this significant day is to highlight the vital role of CEOs in organizations, recognize their innovative management capabilities, and acknowledge their contributions to economic development.
Global Leaders in Baku
The opening ceremony featured speeches by Emil Huseynov, Founder and Director of Azerbaijan HR Institute; Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Management Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan; and Berna Oztinaz, President of European Association for People Management (EAPM) and Board Member of the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA).
Ali Matar, Head of EMEA & LATAM Growth Markets at LinkedIn, delivered a keynote speech titled “The Relationship Economy: Thriving in the Age of AI.” He emphasized that in the era of artificial intelligence, competitive advantage is no longer driven solely by technology, but by human potential and relationships. In his presentation, he noted that AI-related hiring has significantly increased in recent years and that by 2030, a large portion of the skills used in current jobs will change. In this context, skills-based hiring and a culture of continuous learning must become top organizational priorities.
Berna Oztinaz delivered a special masterclass titled “Leading Change Management: Strategies for a Future-ready Organization,” highlighting that leadership in times of uncertainty must be built on values-based approaches, strategic agility, and systematic investment in human capital.
Panel Discussions: Leadership and Artificial Intelligence
Two main panel sessions were held within the framework of the Summit:
The first panel, “The New Era of CEO Leadership: Transforming Vision into Impact,” focused on turning strategic vision into tangible business outcomes, as well as agility and sustainability in management.
The second panel, “AI and Human-Centered Leadership: Bridging Technology into Humanity,” addressed the integration of artificial intelligence into business processes, ethical considerations, human-centered decision-making, and balancing technology with human values.
CEO Excellence Awards
One of the highlights of the event was the “CEO Excellence Awards” ceremony. CEOs from various sectors were recognized for their innovative management approaches, strategic vision, and achievements in sustainable development.
Strategic Partnership and Regional Impact
During the Summit, the strategic partnership between LinkedIn and Azerbaijan HR Institute was emphasized. Azerbaijan HR Institute’s recognition as the LinkedIn Talent Solutions Partner for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the CIS region was considered a significant milestone in advancing human capital development and strengthening international collaboration in the region.
The “Global CEO Summit 2026” once again demonstrated that in an era defined by artificial intelligence and rapid global transformation, the key to success lies in human capital, values-based leadership, and strategic agility. The Summit further strengthened Azerbaijan’s position on global management platforms and created a high-level dialogue and collaboration environment for regional and international business leaders.
We are pleased to present highlights from the event.
It is worth noting that under the organization of the Azerbaijan HR Institute, the “Baku International CEO Summit 2022,” “Global HR Summit 2023,” “World HR Summit 2024,” “COP29 Human Capital Forum,” and “Women’s Entrepreneurs Summit 2025” have been successfully held.
