Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

The event was attended by the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, People’s Writer Anar, Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Academician Rafael Huseynov, Chairman of the Science and Education Committee of the Milli Majlis, Professor Anar Isgandarov, Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, Sahib Mammadov, Chairman of the Press Council of Azerbaijan, Rashad Majid, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Elders of Azerbaijan, Academician Abel Maharramov, Director of the Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature, Professor Irma Ratiani, members of the Milli Majlis, members of the Presidium of ANAS, employees of scientific institutions of ANAS and the Ministry of Science and Education, representatives of the Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature, rectors of higher education institutions, representatives of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union and the National Library of Azerbaijan, young scientists, and media representatives.

First, the attendees of the event laid flowers in front of the bust of National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

Then, an exhibition dedicated to Science Day featuring scientific achievements, including books and artworks, was viewed. An exhibition of works by the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, People’s Writer Anar, was presented, and his book signing session was held.

The event was opened with a welcome speech by the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, who delivered a presentation on the topic “Science Day and the Dialogue between Science and Literature.”

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that this year’s Science Day coincides with the 80th anniversary of ANAS. He emphasized that by the Order of the Head of the state, dated March 18, 2025, regarding the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Academy, the honorable historical path of the Academy was highly valued. It determined the Academy’s future tasks.

He mentioned that the Order signed recently by the Head of the state regarding the optimization of the activities of scientific institutions and the increase of their efficiency will give a boost to the development of science in our country. By refusing outdated models inherited from the Soviet era will lead to research in areas that the independent Azerbaijani state considers necessary.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that today artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and “green economy” are among the main research topics of scientists worldwide and Azerbaijani scientists are also conducting research and implementing projects in these areas. For the first time in its history, the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences was elected full member to international scientific organizations such as the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA), International Science Council, and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) over the past three years, and plays a significant role in making important decisions and determining scientific directions in global science.

“One of the essential functions of science is the formation of scientific elite. This elite possesses a rational way of thinking, and thanks to the purposeful policy of our state, a national scientific elite has been formed in our country. This is a clear example of the attention to science at the state level. The achievements we have attained in the field of scientific development continue at a stable pace.”- said President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli.  

Saying that Azerbaijani science has nurtured world-renowned scholars and reached significant achievements over the past 80 years, creating scientific schools, Academician Isa Habibbeyli emphasized that the memory of our distinguished scholars, who have made contributions to the history of our science, is always cherished. The tradition they established is now further enriched and continued by the national scientific elite, in line with modern challenges.

“Over the past 80 years, a total of 437 prominent scientists have been elected as full and corresponding members of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. Among these scientists, one was a Hero of the Soviet Union, 10 were Heroes of Socialist Labor, 72 were laureates of the USSR State Prize, and 11 were awarded the State Prize of independent Azerbaijan. The 1970s-1980s of the last century are considered a renaissance period of Azerbaijani science. Without a doubt, this renaissance period is directly associated with the name of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. The Great Leader always paid special attention to science, education, and intellectuals, and as a result, Azerbaijani science was known both within the republic and internationally with its achievements. After returning to lead the country, one of the first meetings of the National Leader was on September 21, 1993, with intellectuals at the National Academy of Sciences, which truly gave a new breath to the development of our science,”-emphasized the President of ANAS.

The head of ANAS said that the science policy laid out and successfully implemented by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev is continued today by President Ilham Aliyev at a high level. He emphasized that the Head of the state always pays special attention to science, education, literature, and, in general, to our national culture. Currently, significant research is conducted at ANAS on the priority areas identified by President Ilham Aliyev, on territories liberated from occupation, Western Azerbaijan, the Turkic world, and artificial intelligence. To carry out these studies, 47 new departments have been established using internal resources.

The academician underlined that the achievements were widely showcased at the exhibition and emphasized that the active participation of young people in the exhibition is a clear indicator of belief in the future of our science.

The head of ANAS mentioned that this year’s Science Day event is also dedicated to the life and works of honorary guest, the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union and the People’s Writer Anar. He said that the writer contributes to Azerbaijani literature and has always been the center of attention with his personality and works. Anar has always represented our people with dignity through his works, created a literary school like “Gobustan,” and, through his leadership of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, has guided the direction of our literature.

"Science is a universal concept, while literature represents national characteristics. Being national, literature acquires a universal character, while science, on the contrary, being universal, acquires national characteristics. During the period of independence, Azerbaijani writers, responding to the challenges of modern times, created works that, in artistic form, reflect the thoughts, concerns and outlook on the future of a citizen of an independent state.”-said Academician Isa Habibbeyli.

At the end of his speech, Academician Isa Habibbeyli expressed gratitude to the Head of the state on behalf of Azerbaijani scientific community, the Academy’s staff, and intellectuals for the attention and care shown towards ANAS and our science. Azerbaijani scientists will continue their research by following the national interests and priorities of our country, he added.

Later, the Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan Sahib Mammadov delivered a speech, stating that science and education are among the main priorities in social policy of President Ilham Aliyev. He said that in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and digital technologies period, the scientific achievements of Azerbaijani scientists play a significant role in the country’s development. The foundation of this policy was laid by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and is currently successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev.

Chairman of the Science and Education Committee of the Milli Majlis, Professor Anar Isgandarov, also delivered a speech congratulating the scientific community on the occasion of Science Day and touched upon significant moments in the history of Azerbaijani science. He noted that the importance of science and education in Azerbaijani society was one of the main issues included in the Parliament’s agenda back in 1919 during the period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The initiatives to establish the first higher education institution and the discussions held in the Parliament during that period are a clear example of the value placed on the development of science and education: “In 1919, the state of science and education was brought up for discussion in the Azerbaijani Parliament. By decision of the Parliament, 100 Azerbaijani youth were sent abroad to study at prestigious universities of the world.”

Speaking about current achievements of Azerbaijani science, the Chairman of the Committee said that the successes attained are also reflected in today’s exhibition.

Professor Irma Ratiani, Director of the Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature, greeted the participants of the event and congratulated the Azerbaijani scientific community on the occasion of Science Day. She noted that science is a platform that unites representatives of different nations, and it is precisely this platform that has brought Georgian and Azerbaijani scholars together. Emphasizing that the institution she leads has been cooperating with the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS for more than ten years, Professor Irma Ratiani provided detailed information about the project titled “Shota Rustaveli and Nizami Ganjavi.” She mentioned that the first part of the project has already been completed and the book, which is the result of conducted research, has been published in Georgian and the publishing house “Cambridge Scholars Publishing” has released this book in English. Speaking about the second part of the project, the Director of the institute mentioned that it is interdisciplinary and alongside literary scholars, art historians, musicologists, and representatives of other scientific fields are also taking part in the project. She expressed her gratitude to Academician Isa Habibbeyli for the collaboration. Highlighting the establishment of a Center of Digital Literature at the Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature, the professor invited the scholars of the Institute of Literature of ANAS to cooperate in this field as well. 

After the speech, the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, presented Certificates of Appreciation of ANAS to Professor Irma Ratiani, Director of the Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature, and to Professor Maka Elbakidze.

At the event, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Elders of Azerbaijan Abel Maharramov, Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Rafael Huseynov, Director General of the Institute of Control Systems of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Academician Ali Abbasov, Director of the Atatürk Center in Azerbaijan, Academician Nizami Jafarov, Director of the National Library of Azerbaijan, Professor Karim Tahirov, and Editor-in-Chief of Gobustan magazine Parvin Nuraliyeva delivered speeches congratulating our scientists on the occasion of Science Day. They spoke about the achievements of Azerbaijani science in recent years and also touched upon life and literary activity of People’s Writer Anar.

Academician Ali Abbasov presented a video featuring Anar’s voice, created by the staff members of the Institute of Control Systems using artificial intelligence.

Next, the honorary guest of Science Day, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union and People’s Writer Anar, delivered a speech. He warmly congratulated Azerbaijani scientists on the occasion of Science Day and wished them new achievements. Expressing his gratitude to the leadership of the Academy for organizing a book signing session and an exhibition of his works as part of this remarkable celebration, Anar also shared his thoughts on the exhibition of scientific achievements he had visited prior to the event.

He emphasized that such exhibition can only be organized in an independent country and be a scientific exhibition of a nation that achieved a historic Victory. Noting that in-depth research is currently conducted in priority areas such as Western Azerbaijan, the Turkic world, etc., People's Writer Anar stressed that conducting such scientific research is possible only in independent country. People’s Writer highlighted that the works currently carried out at ANAS under the leadership of Academician Isa Habibbeyli will contribute to the development of our country.  

After the speeches, the film dedicated to Anar, was shown.

As part of the event, Academician Isa Habibbeyli presented honorary certificates and diplomas of ANAS, “Young Scientist of the Year” diplomas, and letters of appreciation to a number of scientists, specialists, and journalists for their scientific achievements and contributions to the promotion of science. An award of the Council of Elders of Azerbaijan was also presented.

In conclusion, Academician Isa Habibbeyli congratulated the participants and scientists on the occasion of Science Day and wished them success in their scientific research.

Reyhan Majidli, Public Relations, Press and Information Department of the Presidium Administration of ANAS

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