The INMerge Innovation Summit 2025, organised by Pasha Holding with the strategic partnership of the Centre for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Azerbaijan) under the Ministry of Economy, has officially opened in Baku. The two-day summit brings together global and regional leaders to discuss the future of innovation, investment, and collaboration across multiple sectors.
A Regional Platform for Innovation and Growth
INMerge unites policy-makers, corporations, investors, start-ups, and ecosystem leaders from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, serving as a key platform for regional dialogue. With over 5,000 participants, 150 speakers, 100 start-ups, and more than 80 venture funds, the summit fosters new partnerships and opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
This year’s programme focuses on eight key themes, ranging from fintech and responsible banking to data and artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0, telecommunications, marketing, e-commerce, and investment.
Distinguished thought leaders, including Ed Catmull (Co-founder of Pixar), Zak Kass (former Head of Go-to-Market at OpenAI), and Professor Tarun Khanna (Harvard University), shared their insights on the future of business, innovation, and technology.
Leadership Perspectives on Innovation and Human Capital
At the opening ceremony, Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport; Jalal Gasimov, CEO of Pasha Holding; and Tugra Musayeva, Head of Innovation at Pasha Holding, addressed the participants.
Minister Mikayil Jabbarov underlined the role of technology and creativity in shaping new pathways for development and enhancing human capital through knowledge and skills. He emphasised that INMerge has evolved into a unique platform bridging innovative ideas with real-world opportunities. Highlighting Azerbaijan’s economic progress, he noted that the country has attracted more than USD 344 billion in investments over the past two decades, with over USD 210 billion directed to the non-oil sector as a result of successful national reforms.
Jalal Gasimov, CEO of Pasha Holding, described INMerge as “Central Eurasia’s leading innovation forum”, emphasising its growing regional importance. He noted that in just five years, INMerge has evolved from a small corporate event into a major gathering uniting experts from across the region.
C4IR Azerbaijan Advances Industry 4.0 Collaboration
As the summit’s key strategic partner, C4IR Azerbaijan hosted the Industry 4.0 vertical, which featured two panel discussions and three expert sessions dedicated to human capital development and the application of innovation in industrial transformation.
Experts from Azerbaijan and abroad discussed the importance of fostering human talent and embedding technological innovation into industrial ecosystems.
During the summit, C4IR Azerbaijan and the Artificial Intelligence Policy Association of Türkiye signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking a new stage of collaboration in the field of AI policy and Industry 4.0 innovation.
