Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

The Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) held its regular meeting.

The event was attended by ANAS President, academician Isa Habibbayli, members of the Presidium, heads of departments of the Presidium’s office, directors of scientific institutions and organizations, and other relevant participants.

Opening the meeting, academician Isa Habibbayli informed the attendees about the agenda.

The meeting focused on the tasks set by President Ilham Aliyev in his address delivered at the 80th anniversary assembly of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

Recalling the Presidential Order “On the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences” dated March 18, 2025, academician Isa Habibbayli noted that, in line with this Order, the Academy’s 80th anniversary had been marked in Karabakh, Nakhchivan, the Vajiha Samadova Exhibition Hall, Baku State University, Azerbaijan State University of Economics, as well as jointly with the New Azerbaijan Party. He added that the anniversary had also been celebrated abroad—in Ankara and Istanbul, at the meeting of the presidents of the Academies of Sciences of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation member states, and at the assembly of the International Association of Academies of Sciences held in Minsk.

Academician Isa Habibbayli stated that, under the Presidential Order, a chronicle of the modern era of the Academy had been compiled, the Academy’s intellectual potential had been used to the maximum, and significant new publications had been produced. He stressed that the pinnacle of the anniversary events was President Ilham Aliyev’s participation in the Academy’s assembly on November 3, 2025, and his comprehensive and substantive address. According to him, the President’s participation and historic speech were a clear expression of high-level state attention to Azerbaijani scholars, science, intellectuals, and the Academy.

“President Ilham Aliyev set forth new tasks in the context of the challenges of the 21st century and opened new horizons for our future work. The head of state outlined tasks for Azerbaijani science and the Academy regarding artificial intelligence, technological advancement, and cybersecurity—key challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” academician Isa Habibbayli said. He emphasized that one of the main areas of reforms carried out in recent years at ANAS has been the expansion of electronic services and the use of artificial intelligence tools in scientific research. He noted that in 2023, the “Electronic Academy” department was established within the Presidium’s office and, based on nationwide progress in this field, its name was changed in 2025 to the Department of the Digital Academy, Artificial Intelligence, and Electronic Services. According to him, the department has achieved significant success in a short period: three ANAS journals have been included in Türkiye’s Ulakbim-DergiPark database, a National Citation System has been created, rating criteria have been developed, and this work continues.

He added that the President’s speech demands a deeper, more systematic approach to this matter. Consequently, the Electronic Services departments at the institutes will be restructured, shifting from technical to scientific direction, and scientific staff will be included in these departments. The ANAS President stated that it is appropriate to upgrade the status of these departments from auxiliary units to principal departments.

Habibbayli also noted that the President had set important tasks for scholars regarding the protection and development of the Azerbaijani language. He emphasized that borrowed words are often used unnecessarily, and in order to prevent this, the language should be enriched internally through neologisms and dialect words, and terms with existing Azerbaijani equivalents should be preferred.

The academician said that the President had also set essential tasks for scholars in response to attempts by Armenians to falsify Azerbaijani history. He emphasized that the 15-volume “History of Azerbaijan” is being rewritten at the Institute of History and Ethnology of ANAS in line with the challenges of independence. He added that a new department, “History of the Karabakh War and the Great Return Movement,” has been established at the Institute in line with modern realities, and Azerbaijan’s rich statehood history has been brought back into active research.

Academician Isa Habibbayli stated that, based on the President’s requirements regarding the Azerbaijani language and history, joint meetings with linguists and historians had been held on November 6–7, during which extensive discussions took place and a future roadmap was determined. He said these meetings would continue. He also noted that scholars would initiate the production of television and YouTube programs on the Azerbaijani language and history. He stressed that Azerbaijani science must support the large-scale national efforts implemented by the state and that the voice of scholars must be strengthened in society.

Academician Isa Habibbayli expressed deep gratitude to the head of state for his continuous care for Azerbaijani scholars and science, his participation in the Academy’s 80th anniversary assembly, his conceptual speech, and the awarding of a group of scientists. He said that Azerbaijani scholars will continue to stand united around President Ilham Aliyev and will responsibly fulfill the tasks entrusted to them.

Next, Vice-President of ANAS, academician Dilgam Tagiyev, stated that intellectual unity has become a necessity today. He noted that the President, in his far-reaching speech, called on state institutions and scholars to expand cooperation, and this collaboration should be intensified.

Speaking on the issue, Vice-President of ANAS, academician Irada Huseynova, stated that it is now crucial to apply scientific theories and knowledge in practice, and that science must contribute to societal development. She noted that, as the President emphasized, unity among science, education, and production must be ensured. According to her, the Division of Biological and Medical Sciences has already prioritized the application of artificial intelligence in biology, agriculture, and medical research, and extensive studies are underway. She added that the transition to green energy, the hosting of a high-profile event such as COP29, and the increasing environmental awareness in society have all become integral components of state policy.

Vice-President of ANAS, academician Rasim Aliguliyev, stated in his speech that the President’s participation and address at the 80th anniversary assembly are expressions of the high value the state places on science and scholars. He emphasized that, over the past 80 years, Azerbaijani scientists have made invaluable contributions to the exploration of the country’s natural resources, the development of agriculture, and the preservation and advancement of language, literature, history, and more. He noted that the Academy’s 80th anniversary was celebrated on a large scale both nationally and internationally, and that the Academy stands as a symbol of the nation’s intellectual development.

Then, the Director of the Abbasgulu Agha Bakikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Karim Shukurov, provided information about the work carried out in recent years in the study of Azerbaijan’s history. He stated that the Institute’s material and technical resources have been strengthened and that its library has been renovated and enriched. He reported that nearly 100 significant scholarly works have been produced at the Institute. Conferences on the history of Atropatene have been held and published, research on the Patriotic War has been completed and published as a book, and an important study on Uzeyir Hajibayli has been conducted. In addition, a publication on the deportation of Azerbaijanis from their historical lands is being prepared for print. He noted that the “Historical Atlas of Azerbaijan” and the 15-volume “History of Azerbaijan” are currently being prepared for publication jointly with the Geodesy and Cartography Agency of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

He added that, based on the President’s instructions, historians will undertake a deeper study of Azerbaijan’s history and its traditions of statehood.

Next, the Director of the Nasimi Institute of Linguistics, Professor Nadir Mammadli, stated that the Institute has launched, for the first time, the creation of a national language corpus to ensure the purity of the Azerbaijani language. He also noted that a “Dictionary of International Terms” is being compiled. One of the Institute’s key focus areas is toponymy. He reported that maps of Azerbaijan published in 1886 and 1903 contain no Armenian place names, and that the first volume of a two-volume work on the toponymy of Western Azerbaijan is being prepared for publication. Professor Nadir Mammadli also presented proposals for the preservation of linguistic purity and the reduction of unnecessary loanwords.

At the meeting, the Director of the Republican Seismological Service Center of ANAS, corresponding member of ANAS Qurban Yetirmishli, emphasized that the President’s participation and address at the anniversary assembly reflect the high value placed on science and scholars. He noted that assessing volcanic activity, landslide zones, and seismic vulnerability in areas with high-rise construction are among the Center’s core activities, and collaboration with relevant agencies will be beneficial.

Then, the head of the Science and Education Department of the ANAS Presidium’s office, Doctor of Philology Sarkhan Khaveri, presented the Presidium’s resolution based on the tasks set by President Ilham Aliyev in his address.

At the meeting, a letter of gratitude on behalf of the ANAS community to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, was read by Asmar Aliyeva, Head of the Documentation and Protocol Department of the Presidium’s office and PhD in Philology.

In conclusion, ANAS employees who have contributed to the development of science and actively participated in the 80th anniversary events were awarded.

Translation by Gulhane Aghayeva, Department of Public Relations, Press, and Information, Presidium of ANAS.

© All rights reserved. Reference to www.science.gov.az is required when using materials from this site.