Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

A scientific seminar dedicated to the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty” of the Republic of Azerbaijan was held at the Faculty of Information and Document Management of Baku State University (BSU). At the seminar, the Head of the Department of Library Science, Associate Professor Elchin Ahmadov, delivered a presentation titled “Constitutional and Legal Foundations of Library and Information Activities in the Republic of Azerbaijan.”

Elchin Ahmadov emphasized the importance of President Ilham Aliyev’s Decree dated December 28, 2024, on declaring 2025 as the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty.” He spoke about the Victory achieved as a result of the 44-day Patriotic War and the one-day local anti-terror operations, stressing that the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty is a historic achievement.

The presentation covered the historical chronology of legislation in the field of library services and provided clarification on key concepts in the sector. The speaker highlighted that the formation of the constitutional and legal foundations of library and information activities in Azerbaijan is closely linked to the name of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. He noted that the field developed significantly after the restoration of national independence: “In 1998, for the first time in our country, the Law on Library Services was adopted. This document, which sets out the main principles of state policy, the general framework of library operations and systems, requirements for the formation and preservation of library collections, funding sources, citizens’ rights and obligations regarding library use, and principles of international cooperation, gave a powerful impetus to the development of the field and established key priorities.”

The presentation also elaborated on the decrees signed by President Ilham Aliyev to promote the development of library and information activities, stressing their historical significance: “The Order of October 6, 2008, on approving the ‘State Program on the Development of Library-Information Services in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2008–2013,’ signed by President Ilham Aliyev—who successfully continues the policies of National Leader Heydar Aliyev—has been an exceptionally important contribution to the advancement of the field.”

The research further examined the structure of library and information activities in Azerbaijan, emphasized the current trends in digitization processes, and highlighted the dynamic development of electronic services in modern libraries.

The scientific seminar continued with discussions.

SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)