Elchin Babayev, Rector of Baku State University (BSU), spoke at the scientific-practical conference titled “Forming Academic-Scientific Foundations for Protecting Green Spaces Against Climate Change,” held in Sheki under the ECOLEAD project. This event was organized by the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan and focused on enhancing environmental protection through awareness and legal measures.

Rector Babayev emphasized the continuous improvement and development of BSU’s scientific and educational infrastructure for addressing environmental issues. The university features a Faculty of Ecology and Soil Science with five departments and a research laboratory in Environmental Chemistry and Protection at its Excellence Center. BSU conducts research to develop effective methods for mitigating environmental impacts and restoring nature. The goal is to promote sustainable practices and technologies for future generations through interdisciplinary collaboration.

He also highlighted the establishment of the ECOLEAD Clinic in collaboration with the Prosecutor General’s Office. The clinic will support the detection and resolution of environmental violations. BSU offers various undergraduate and graduate programs in ecology-related fields, and students are involved in projects focused on green energy and technologies. Two student teams from BSU, working on “Irrigo” and “E-tarım irrigation” projects, have qualified for the final of the “TEKNOFEST-2024” Aerospace and Technology Festival in Antalya, reflecting their commitment to addressing environmental challenges.

Babayev noted the severe threats posed by environmental crimes and illegal activities, particularly in the context of Armenia's long-term aggression, which has caused significant ecological damage in the region. The conference addressed not only the environmental problems but also urgent measures and academic, scientific, and legal aspects requiring immediate attention and joint action.

To effectively combat environmental issues, Babayev stressed the need for a unified approach that combines law enforcement, scientific research, and public engagement. Government and non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the public must collaborate on information, resources, and experience sharing. The ECOLEAD project represents a significant step in this direction, focusing on environmental protection through new collaborations and commitments. The platform will centralize efforts to investigate environmental crimes and prevent violations through the combined efforts of prosecutors, ecologists, BSU’s academic staff, and NGOs.

The creation of the ECOLEAD Clinic at BSU is crucial for the operational execution of tasks related to environmental violations. The clinic will facilitate joint scientific-practical research, enabling researchers and practitioners to work together on solving environmental problems. The clinic will also enhance the application of Azerbaijan's environmental laws by analyzing common issues in law enforcement and increasing the effectiveness of environmental protection policies through research, education, and monitoring mechanisms. Collaboration with national and international organizations will be essential for addressing environmental challenges effectively. The ECOLEAD Platform aims to resolve many of these issues by integrating scientific, educational, and legal solutions and involving students, young researchers, scientists, and legal professionals as key participants.