Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

The 1st International Scientific Conference titled “A Sustainable Future: Integrated Development of Earth Sciences and Ecology” has commenced at Baku State University (BSU). The conference is organized by BSU with scientific partnership from Konya Technical University (Türkiye), Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Satbayev Kazakh National Research Technical University (Kazakhstan), the University of Geological Sciences (Uzbekistan), and Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (Romania).

At the opening ceremony, BSU Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation Huseyn Mammadov emphasized that Azerbaijan is actively engaged in ensuring global energy security and developing strategic mechanisms for the transition to a “green economy.” He noted that the national priorities outlined in “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development,” approved by Presidential Decree, include building a sustainably growing competitive economy and a country with a clean environment and green growth. The Vice-Rector highlighted that BSU has recently implemented numerous research initiatives, awareness projects, and infrastructure developments focused on environmental protection and climate change mitigation, aligning its activities with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and their 169 targets.

He also underlined BSU’s expanding international cooperation, dual-degree programs at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, and strong links with industry, which over the past five years have resulted in more than 120 national and international grant- and contract-based projects involving over 700 students and researchers. The conference brings together participants from 12 countries, including Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Germany, Pakistan, Romania, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, China, Israel, and Luxembourg, with 280 papers included in the program.

Rector of Baku Higher Oil School Elmar Gasimov noted the importance of the conference for sustainable regional development and environmental protection, particularly in addressing pressing ecological challenges related to the Caspian Sea. Other speakers highlighted the impact of global climate change on sustainable development and discussed key challenges across geology, ecology, and geography.

The conference continues with plenary sessions and thematic discussions.

SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)