Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

On May 23, the presentation ceremony of the “Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur: Atlas of Natural Resources,” prepared through the joint collaboration of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Ministry of Science and Education (leading organization), scientific institutions under the Ministry of Science and Education and the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, as well as the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, was held.  

The event was attended by the President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, the Director General of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Academician Akif Alizade, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Vugar Karimov, Chairman of the Board of the Geodesy and Cartography Agency under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Nazim Ismayilov, as well as representatives from the Republican Seismic Survey Center under ANAS, the Oil and Gas Institute, the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, the Institute of Economics under the Ministry of Science and Education, and Baku State University.

The presentation ceremony was opened with a speech by the editor-in-chief of the publication and Director General of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Ministry of Science and Education, Academician Akif Alizade, who explained the importance of the new atlas. He said that the new atlas is dedicated to the general geographic condition and rich natural resources of the historical Karabakh region, distinguished by its ancient history and unique nature. He also underlined that creating the atlas took many years of systematic scientific research, during which a large amount of information about the region’s geography, natural resources, climate, and environment was collected and studied.

The academician emphasized that Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur region has an ancient history and during the years of occupation, no research was done there. Over those 30 years, not only the region’s infrastructure but also its nature, environment, and biodiversity were destroyed. He mentioned that following the historic Victory achieved under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, in the 44-day Patriotic War, and the successful anti-terror operations, the territorial integrity and state sovereignty of Azerbaijan were fully restored. The academician added that large-scale constructive works are currently underway to restore the region.

Academician Akif Alizade said that after the liberation of our territories from occupation, scientific research was resumed, the geological and ecological potential of the region was studied, and the presented atlas is a contribution of Azerbaijani science and scientists to the constructive works carried out in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. The academician emphasized that the new publication was prepared through the joint efforts of the staff of the Ministry of Science and Education, the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, with the care and support of the Head of State. The newly collected materials will play an important role in the future economic and cultural life of Azerbaijan.   

Academician Akif Alizade mentioned that a significant amount of work in preparing the maps in the atlas was done by the Agency for Geodesy and Cartography of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences also closely participated in this process, in recent years, under the leadership of Academician Isa Habibbeyli, the Academy of Sciences has been actively involved in the socio-political life of the country.

 “The publication of the atlas of natural resources of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur in Azerbaijani, English, and Russian makes it easier for more people from different countries to read and learn from it. From this perspective, the publication should be regarded as a reliable resource for secondary and higher education institutions in Azerbaijan, executive authorities and municipalities, scientific research centers, interested international organizations, as well as other foreign institutions that need trustworthy information about the natural diversity of the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur region of Azerbaijan,”-emphasized Academician Akif Alizade.

Then, President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli greeted the participants of the event on behalf of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and noted that the presentation of the new atlas is a remarkable event in the scientific life of our country. He emphasized that as a result of the 44-day Patriotic War and anti-terror operations under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and state sovereignty was fully restored. Within the framework of the “Great Return” State Program, large-scale constructive works are underway in the territories liberated from occupation, and at the same time, Azerbaijani science has resumed its research in the region after 30 years. According to the head of ANAS, information that was impossible to obtain during the 30-year occupation of Karabakh is now systematically gathered, researched, and scientifically substantiated.    

Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that the third volume of the “Red Book” was prepared jointly with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Science and Education. Additionally, the Folklore Institute has published the “Anthology of Zangezur Folklore,” the Institute of Linguistics has released the “The Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur Dialectological Atlas of the Azerbaijani Language,” and the Institute of History has brought out the book “The History of the Patriotic War: The Factor of Personality.”

Saying that the “Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur: Atlas of Natural Resources” is a significant contribution of Azerbaijani science to the restoration and development efforts carried out under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, the head of ANAS underlined that the atlas, prepared under the leadership of Academician Akif Alizade, is a valuable source covering the entire territory of Karabakh from the Lower Araz Valley to Kalbajar and Lachin.

 “The maps presented in the atlas have not only geological importance. Being the first geographical atlas created after the liberation of the territories from occupation, this publication also has important political significance. It includes important historical and toponymic information for the readers. The new edition is the geological passport of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur and one of the important achievements of our science.”-the academician added.

Next, the scientific supervisor and editor of the publication, corresponding member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Talat Kengerli, gave a detailed presentation. The scientist siad that the atlas, prepared with the support and care of the Head of State, is an indispensable scientific collection and a key guiding document that highlights the natural diversity of the region.

Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Vugar Kerimov, Chairman of the Board of the Geodesy and Cartography Agency under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Nazim Ismayilov, Head of Department at Baku State University, Academician Vasif Babazade, Head of Laboratory at the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, a corresponding member of ANAS Amin Ismaylov, and Head of the Scientific Center at the Institute of Economics, PhD in Economics Azer Safarov delivered speeches at the event. They emphasized that the “Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur: Atlas of Natural Resources” will play an important role in the restoration of the territories liberated from occupation.

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

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