Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

An international conference on “Human Capital Formation for Sustainable and Resilient Urban Development,” jointly organized by Baku State University and the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, continues with panel sessions dedicated to sustainable urban transformation and inclusive city development.

During the panel session titled “Building a Sustainable Urban Future through Education, Research and Capacity Building,” Advisor to the Rector of Baku State University on Quality Assurance Asiman Ilyasov participated as a speaker. The session was moderated by Anna Soave, Head of the Azerbaijan Office of UN-Habitat. Representatives of various international and local organizations discussed the role of higher education, scientific research, and institutional cooperation in sustainable urban development.

In his remarks, Asiman Ilyasov emphasized the strategic role of universities in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted initiatives carried out by higher education institutions in the fields of quality assurance, strengthening research capacity, international cooperation, and urban resilience.

Other speakers at the panel included Raphaelle Vignol, Programme Officer at the Global Knowledge and Advocacy Section of UN-Habitat, Nora Lombardini, Dean of the School of Design and Architecture at ADA University, and Deen Sharp, Visiting Researcher at London School of Economics and Political Science.

The session featured extensive discussions on sustainable urbanization, inclusive urban planning, integration of scientific research into city development, and increasing youth participation in these processes.

The second panel session of the conference, titled “Inclusive and Sustainable Cities: New Approaches to Urban Development,” focused on strengthening inclusive approaches in modern urban planning, applying sustainable development principles, and discussing the role of human capital in urban transformation. The session was moderated by Professor Anar Valiyev of ADA University.

Speakers included Rufat Mahmud, Chairman of the Board of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Administration, Ramil Jahangirov, Head of the Project Management Department for Liberated Territories at the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, Aysel Yagubova, Executive Director of the ECO Clean Energy Center, and Wang Haoqiang, Director of the Confucius Institute at Anhui University.

The discussions addressed inclusive urban development models, ecological sustainability, innovative urban governance, and the application of international experience. Speakers particularly emphasized the strategic importance of human capital in ensuring sustainable and resilient urban development.

The international conference continues to serve as an important platform for advancing modern urban planning approaches, sharing academic knowledge, and expanding international cooperation. The active participation of Baku State University in international platforms was highlighted as an indicator of the university’s strategic priorities in sustainable development, innovation, and global collaboration.

SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)