An International Scientific Conference on "Accelerating Research and Collaboration for Climate Action" Held Within the Framework of Baku Climate Action Week Organized by Baku State University

An international scientific conference on "Accelerating Research and Collaboration for Climate Action" was held as part of Baku Climate Action Week, organized by Baku State University (BSU).

The main topics of the conference focused on the scientific and practical aspects of climate change. Discussions included the importance of empirical data, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytical tools for achieving significant progress in climate action, the impact of climate change on transboundary water resource management, new approaches in this area, international cooperation mechanisms, and the synergy of joint initiatives at the international level, as well as relevant opportunities for global and regional cooperation.

In his opening speech, BSU Rector Elchin Babayev noted that this conference, bringing together renowned scientists, researchers, policymakers, and ecologists from various countries, would serve as an effective multidisciplinary platform to combat one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change. He emphasized that for over a century, BSU has been at the forefront of science and education in Azerbaijan, focusing on raising awareness about climate change and developing scientific solutions to address the associated challenges. He expressed confidence that the experiences, knowledge, ideas, and collaborations shared during this conference would significantly contribute to the global fight against climate change. He also mentioned that Azerbaijan will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November, which presents an opportunity for the country to be at the center of global efforts against climate change. The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, declared 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for a Green World" in Azerbaijan. The special decree for organizing COP29 encompasses coordinated activities across various fields, demonstrating Azerbaijan's solidarity with countries worldwide in addressing climate change and ecological problems at a global level. He underscored the importance of upholding the rich legacy of the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, noting that under his leadership, the previously desertified areas of the Absheron Peninsula were greened and transformed into beautiful living spaces.

The rector stated that climate change is no longer seen as a distant threat; it leads ecosystems, economies, and communities into crisis: "We must not forget that rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting ecosystems are results of our own actions. Therefore, it is crucial to continue organizing conferences and other scientific events. Such events bring together scientists and political figures from various fields, allowing them to work on solutions to pressing issues. The discussions during the Baku Climate Action Week, including the Baku Climate Science Conference, will directly impact efforts at COP29. They will help shape global policies and actions in the fight against climate change. I am confident that the conference will provide an excellent platform for establishing international networks and collaborations that will define joint action plans on climate change and achieve concrete results in addressing the challenges."

Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Ziyafat Asgarov stated that Azerbaijan is making a global contribution to the fight against climate change, with renewable energy sources and efforts to reduce carbon emissions serving as prime examples. He noted that Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 demonstrates the country's leading role in global climate policy.

Idris Isayev, Deputy Minister of Science and Education, highlighted the importance of education as a crucial tool in preventing climate change, as it helps to teach people and change their attitudes toward the environment: "In the 2024/2025 academic year, we have increased the enrollment plan for ecological specialties in higher education institutions. This academic year, the number of students admitted to environmentally oriented specialties has increased by 31% at the undergraduate level and 61% at the master's level. We must equip our youth with green skills to combat climate change. Green skills are a system of favorable knowledge and competencies for addressing climate change. General and higher education institutions have significant responsibilities in this regard. Without a scientific approach, it is impossible to combat the negative consequences of climate change. Thus, this direction should be of particular importance in the activities of scientific institutions."

Isa Habibbayli, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Nigar Arpadarai, UN High-Level Climate Change Champion for COP29, Ermira Fida, Deputy Secretary of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and Leyla Hasanova, Azerbaijan's youth climate champion for COP29, all emphasized the necessity of adopting national strategies in the fight against climate change. They stated that more agile climate policies need to be implemented to ensure a sustainable future.

The conference continued its work with scientific sessions on topics such as "Revolution in Our Thinking About Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions: The Role of Empirical Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Advanced Analytics," "The Role of Global and Regional Cooperation in Scientific Challenges," and "The Impact of Climate Change and Paradigm Shifts on Transboundary Water Resource Management."

The processing of empirical data and the use of advanced analytical tools play a key role in more accurate and rapid climate change predictions and in implementing climate policies more effectively. The conference discussed the forecasting of climate changes and the use of artificial intelligence technologies in combating them. Discussions included the applications of artificial intelligence in climate modeling, the analytical processing of large data sets, and the ways to make optimal decisions based on real-time data. This topic is also crucial for accelerating climate actions on a global scale.

Climate change has a serious impact on the management of water resources. It can alter the quantity and quality of water resources, leading to challenges in interregional and international water distribution. The conference discussed new approaches and cooperation mechanisms for managing transboundary water resources. Regional cooperation is essential to address this issue, with a particular focus on the global protection of water resources and their equitable distribution. Practical proposals were put forward for more equitable and ecologically sustainable management of shared water resources among neighboring countries.

International cooperation in the fight against climate change was central to the discussions. As climate change is a global problem, it requires coordinated action between countries. The conference explored how joint initiatives can create more effective synergy and ways to establish global and regional cooperation mechanisms in this regard. Specifically, the implementation of agreements reached under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, more efficient realization of national climate plans (NDCs), and advancing global joint climate goals were key areas of focus.

Proper collection, analysis, and use of empirical data play a crucial role in combating climate change. The conference addressed how to effectively collect and share this data. Additionally, innovative technologies and solutions in climate action, including carbon capture and storage technologies, the application of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and waste reduction innovations, were significant discussion topics.

Climate change affects not only ecological systems but also socio-economic systems. The conference facilitated discussions on how these impacts influence economic growth, poverty, migration flows, food security, and employment at both regional and global levels. Specific steps were discussed regarding the economic and legal measures that states should adopt in combating climate change, as well as how to formulate and implement relevant policies.