Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

A meeting within the framework of the “Urban Talks” project was held at Baku State University (BSU), organized by the “BSU Volunteers” organization. The session was dedicated to the topic “Sustainable Urban Tourism Models and Their Integration into Azerbaijan’s Small Historical Cities.”

Project leader of “Urban Talks” and staff member of the Protocol Department at BSU, Mirhuseyn Taghiyev, provided information on the objectives of the project and previous sessions. He noted that this meeting was the fourth event in the series and focused on pressing issues such as the environmental, social, and cultural sensitivity of tourism.

Subsequently, Vugar Dargahov, senior lecturer at BSU and co-founder of the Azerbaijan Ecotourism Association, delivered a presentation on the essence of sustainable urban tourism and its role in modern urban development. He highlighted key principles of sustainable tourism, including the protection of cultural heritage and the environment, optimization of transport systems, expansion of green spaces, community development, and inclusive equality.

The discussion addressed the coordination between urban planning and tourism services, support for local businesses and small entrepreneurship, the application of smart tourism and digital technologies, as well as monitoring mechanisms and the measurement of tourism indicators. The presentation also showcased management models and international best practices for implementing sustainable tourism in Azerbaijan’s small historical settlements.

It was emphasized that effective planning and an integrated approach can strengthen economic development through tourism while preserving local values and cultural heritage.

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)**