Gurban Karimbayli is a strategic professional with over 17 years of experience in high-profile local and international organizations. He has a proven track record in project management, corporate communications, strategy development, and international relations. Recognized for his dedication, energy, and business acumen, he is skilled in team leadership and has extensive global and local networks. Gurban specializes in sustainability and green projects, aligning initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ECO-PORT standards to drive a sustainable future.
At the Port of Baku, Gurban held roles as Head of Public Relations and later Sustainability Manager (2022–2024). Currently, he serves as ESG Advisor to the Port of Baku and Head of the Sustainable Development Department at Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL).
Throughout his career, Gurban has held diverse roles, including senior advisor, program manager, expert, and monitoring and evaluation coordinator, working with prominent organizations such as the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan, Eurasia Foundation, Save the Children, UNDP, Community Action Agency, and PASHA Bank OJSC.
In academia, Gurban served as an instructor at Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University, teaching Effective Business Writing and Project Management. He was also invited as a guest speaker at ADA University to deliver lectures on nonprofit management, effective communication, business writing, and public-private partnerships.
Gurban is a Fellow of the U.S. Department of State’s Edmund S. Muskie Program, recognized for nurturing promising young leaders from the Commonwealth of Independent States. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from New Mexico State University, USA, where he also completed an internship at the Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico. Additionally, he earned a Master’s degree from Baku State University (2003–2007).
He is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP®) by the Project Management Institute and is an International Sustainable Business (ISB®) Certified ESG Specialist. He achieved this credential through training by Exponential Education and certification by the International Association for Sustainable Economy (IASE International, London).