Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

Baku State University (BSU) and the Western Azerbaijan Community will jointly organize the 1st International Scientific Conference entitled “Return to Western Azerbaijan: As a New Stage of the National Idea” on 3–4 June 2026.

The conference will discuss the historical, legal, political, cultural, and socio-philosophical dimensions of the return to Western Azerbaijan, as well as its significance for regional peace and security. The concept of return to Western Azerbaijan will be examined as a stage in the development of the national idea within the framework of international legal norms. Participants will also address issues related to the preservation of humanitarian and cultural heritage, the presentation of the return concept as a model compatible with peace and regional stability, and the reinterpretation of the national idea in the modern era based on the principles of statehood, sovereignty, and historical justice. In addition, the normative foundations of the right of return of Azerbaijanis deported from Western Azerbaijan will be analyzed from a scholarly perspective.

The 1st International Scientific Conference, jointly organized by BSU and the Western Azerbaijan Community, aims to contribute to the broader inclusion of the Western Azerbaijan return agenda in international academic discourse and to promote the expansion of scientific cooperation.

The conference programme includes three panel sessions entitled “Return and the Region’s New Peace Architecture,” “Return in the Context of International Law and New Realities,” and “Historical Memory and National Identity.”

On 4 June, the conference will continue at BSU with five thematic section meetings: “Western Azerbaijan and Historical Memory,” “The Legal Framework of Return to Western Azerbaijan,” “Regional Security in the Return Discourse: Contemporary Perspectives and Strategic Approaches,” “Cultural Heritage and Spiritual Memory: Language, Folklore, Press, Books and Intellectual Environment,” and “Western Azerbaijan – a ‘Green’ Homeland.” Nearly 100 presentations are expected to be delivered during the section meetings.

SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)