Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

The opening ceremony of the II International Scientific Conference titled “Modern Problems of Theoretical and Experimental Chemistry”, dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the birth of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev, was held with the organization of Baku State University (BSU) and the scientific partnership of Ankara University and Kars Caucasus University (Türkiye), Mirzo Ulugbek National University of Uzbekistan, and Atyrau Oil and Gas University (Kazakhstan).

In his opening remarks, BSU Rector Elchin Babayev described Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev as one of the most distinguished figures in the history of Azerbaijani science and an enduring example for Baku State University. He emphasized that Mammadaliyev was not only a world-renowned chemist but also an outstanding science organizer, intellectual leader, and patriot who devoted his life to the advancement of Azerbaijan’s science, education, industry, and statehood. Born in 1905 in Ordubad, Nakhchivan, Mammadaliyev became the founder of Azerbaijan’s petrochemical science, and his legacy remains a significant part of the nation’s intellectual heritage.

The Rector highlighted Mammadaliyev’s fundamental contributions to catalytic control of chemical reactions, production of high-octane aviation fuel, synthetic oils, plastics, and polymers. He developed the scientific foundations for catalytic chlorination, bromination, and oxidation of hydrocarbons, enabling the efficient synthesis of carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, chloroform, and various industrial solvents. His research on alkylation played a decisive role in meeting aviation needs during and after World War II. Under his leadership, the Institute of Petrochemical Processes, the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory, and numerous scientific laboratories were established, laying the foundation for the development of Azerbaijan’s chemical industry.

Academician Mammadaliyev served twice as President of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences (1947–1950; 1958–1961) and as Rector of Baku State University (1954–1958). During his tenure, new institutes were founded, scientific кадров policies were shaped, laboratories were modernized, and international cooperation was expanded. Today, the scientific traditions of BSU—particularly the achievements of the Faculty of Chemistry—are closely associated with his name.

The event featured a documentary film dedicated to the life and scientific legacy of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev.

Among the speakers were Rector of Kars Caucasus University Hüsnü Kapu; Director General of the Institute of Petrochemical Processes named after Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev Vagif Abbasov; Director General of the Institute of Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry named after Academician M. Nagiyev Dilgam Taghiyev; Director General of the Institute of Physics Arif Hashimov; Director General of the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory named after Nasreddin Tusi Namiq Jalilov; Vice-Rector of Atyrau Oil and Gas University Rinat Isakov; Executive Director of the Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev Foundation Ramil Abbekirov; Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry of the National University of Uzbekistan Shakhnoza Kadirova; Head of the Department of Chemistry at Ankara University Musharraf Onal; Professor Giuseppe Resnati of Politecnico di Milano (Italy); and Professor Szczepan Zapotoczny of Jagiellonian University (Poland). A video congratulatory address by Academician Tan Tianwei, President of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, was also presented.

Within the framework of the conference, the results of the “Chemistry Science Competition” dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev and the targeted scholarship named after the Academician were announced. The event concluded with an artistic composition prepared by the BSU Culture and Creativity Center.

The conference continues with four sectional sessions titled:

• Fine Organic Synthesis and Coordination Compounds

• Alternative Energy Sources and Petrochemical Synthesis

• Catalysis and Materials Science

• Modern Approaches in Chemistry Education

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  SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)