On June 17, the official opening ceremony of the Global Sustainable Development Congress was held in Istanbul, Türkiye, organized by Times Higher Education (THE) and the Council of Higher Education of Türkiye (YÖK). A delegation from Baku State University (BSU) led by Rector Elchin Babayev took part in the event.

During the opening ceremony, Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer of THE, and Erol Özvar, Head of YÖK, delivered speeches emphasizing the importance of the congress and the relevance of sustainability in higher education. Azerbaijani Minister of Science and Education, Emin Amrullayev, also addressed the audience, providing comprehensive information about reforms, programs, and international collaborations implemented in Azerbaijan in support of sustainable development in science and education.

As part of the opening ceremony, a preview of the “THE Impact Rankings 2025” was presented, showcasing the world’s Top 10 universities, set to be officially announced the following day.

Following the ceremony, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Science and Education and the Head of YÖK visited the exhibition zone, where they were introduced to the Azerbaijan Pavilion. The pavilion featured sustainable development initiatives, research projects, and achievements of several leading Azerbaijani higher education institutions, including BSU. The Azerbaijan Pavilion received significant attention from both local and international media outlets.

Azerbaijan’s active participation in this prestigious international event stands as a strong indicator of the country’s contribution to the global sustainable development agenda in higher education.

SDG4: Quality Education, SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals, SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure