Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

On January 19, the next meeting of the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) was held.

The event was attended by President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, members of the Presidium, heads of departments of the Presidium’s Office, members of divisions, directors of scientific institutions of the divisions, and other relevant officials.

The meeting began with a review of an exhibition reflecting the achievements attained in 2025, as well as scientific works and books published by the Division of Humanities of ANAS, the Nakhchivan Branch of ANAS, and the Central Scientific Library of ANAS (CSL).

Opening the meeting with introductory remarks, Academician Isa Habibbeyli informed participants about the agenda.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that meetings of the Presidium at which reports on the activities of ANAS’s scientific divisions, regional branches, and scientific centers for 2025 are discussed are of great importance in terms of the systematic presentation and objective assessment of the results of scientific activity.

The head of ANAS emphasized that, unlike internal reports discussed within the divisions, the reports presented at meetings of the Presidium are reviewed in advance and further refined. At this stage, broader presentation of facts and figures is of particular importance. He pointed out that reports discussed at the division level should not be identical in content to those presented at meetings of the Presidium, noting that Presidium meetings represent the final stage, where only the main and most significant scientific results should be presented.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli stressed that, at the current stage of digital development, reports should be presented in an аргументed and systematic manner, based on scientometric indicators. He underlined that priority should be given to presenting key ideas, concrete results, and measurable indicators, rather than lengthy and extensive explanations.

Subsequently, Academician Isa Habibbeyli congratulated Chairman of the Nakhchivan Branch of ANAS, Academician Ismayil Hajiyev, on the occasion of his 75th anniversary and presented him with an Honorary Certificate of the Presidium of ANAS.

He emphasized that Academician Ismayil Hajiyev is one of Azerbaijan’s prominent historiographer scholars who stands out for both his scientific achievements and personal qualities, having produced numerous substantial scholarly works on the history of national statehood in Azerbaijani science. It was noted that in Academician Ismayil Hajiyev’s research, the key figures and major issues of Azerbaijani statehood are comprehensively studied, thereby creating a scientific chronicle of the history of Azerbaijani statehood.

The President of the Academy stated that while some scholars rely primarily on facts and documents in their works, others focus more on theoretical approaches and interpretations. In the work of Academician Ismayil Hajiyev, however, a synthesis of these two approaches is evident. His works are based on facts and documents while also providing their scientific-theoretical interpretation and in-depth analysis.

Following this, Scientific Secretary of the Division of Humanities (DH), PhD in Philology Arzu Mammadkhanli, presented the Division’s report. She stated that in Azerbaijan, which is on a path of rapid socio-economic development, 2025 was marked by particularly important achievements for the humanities. The relevant decrees and orders of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan aimed at preserving the nation’s moral and spiritual values and further researching and promoting its language, literature, and culture in line with the requirements of the modern era, as well as state programs, were adopted in 2025 as the main conceptual activity framework in the humanities.

It was noted that, based on the Presidential Decrees of Ilham Aliyev “On Declaring 2025 the ‘Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty’ in the Republic of Azerbaijan,” “On the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of ANAS,” “On the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the First Turkological Congress,” “On the Celebration of the 140th Anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibeyli,” “On the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Bakhtiyar Vahabzadeh,” “On the Celebration of the 190th Anniversary of Seyid Azim Shirvani,” “On the Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Press,” “On the Celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Fikrat Goja,” and “On the Celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Yusif Samadoglu,” a number of events were implemented by the Division.

It was emphasized that in his landmark speech at the 80th anniversary event of ANAS, as well as in his interview with local television channels on January 5, President Ilham Aliyev set serious tasks for scholars working in the humanities regarding the preservation of the purity of the Azerbaijani language. To this end, a meeting was held at the Presidium of ANAS, organized by the Division of Humanities, on the topic “The Requirements Set by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev Regarding the Azerbaijani Language in His Speech at the Academy’s 80th Anniversary Event and the Tasks of ANAS,” during which scholars’ reports, opinions, and proposals were heard. In addition, a number of ANAS scholars participated in an event at the Milli Majlis titled “Development Strategy of the Azerbaijani Language as the State Language: Current State and Prospects,” as well as a meeting titled “Our Language Is Our Identity” organized by the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, where they expressed views on scientific support for state language policy, the preparation of the regulatory framework on a scientific basis and its updating in line with contemporary challenges, and the protection of Azerbaijani toponyms. Scholars of the Division regularly gave interviews to television channels on the protection of the Azerbaijani language and published articles in the periodical press.

It was reported that during the reporting year, the Division of Humanities held 5 meetings and 2 General Assemblies, during which 139 issues were considered. In 2025, a total of 483 research projects covering 72 topics within 6 scientific directions and 34 problems were carried out at the Division’s institutions. Of the 72 topics, 35 were completed, and of the 483 projects, 319 were finalized. Fifteen significant scientific results were achieved by the Division’s five research institutions. In addition, humanitarian-oriented institutions not subordinate to ANAS also presented their significant results for 2025. The report included 16 significant results from the Ministry of Science and Education and 7 from the Ministry of Culture. Moreover, an important result achieved by Karabakh University was also presented to the Division.

It was noted that in 2025, research institutions published 180 books (2 abroad), 95 monographs (15 abroad), and 2,155 articles and theses (366 abroad). Ten articles by staff members were published in impact factor journals. The total number of citations to scientific works by scholars of the Division of Humanities reached 1,062. In addition, 958 articles published in scientific journals were assigned DOI (Digital Object Identifier) numbers. During the reporting year, Division staff also published 12 textbooks and 1 teaching aid.

It was reported that during the reporting year, 9 documents were signed between research institutions and international organizations, 7 of which were concluded with academic institutions of Turkic-speaking countries.

Information was also provided on the Division’s human resources and personnel training, measures taken to popularize science, awards, and other related matters.

Subsequently, a report dedicated to the results of the scientific and scientific-organizational activities of the Nakhchivan Branch of ANAS for 2025 was heard. Presenting the report, Chairman of the Branch, Academician Ismayil Hajiyev, stated that during the past year, the scientific institutions of the Branch operated in accordance with the instructions and directives of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Presidium of ANAS, as well as relevant state bodies of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, ensuring the organization and implementation of scientific research.

Academician Ismayil Hajiyev noted that in 2025, research was conducted at the Nakhchivan Branch of ANAS in 36 stages across 17 research projects within 3 scientific directions and 3 problems, resulting in the achievement of 6 significant scientific outcomes.

The report summarized the main results of research conducted in the fields of archaeology, history, linguistics, folklore studies, and cultural studies, highlighting the scientific significance and practical value of the results obtained.

It was stated that during the reporting period, staff of the Branch’s scientific institutions published 9 monographs, 13 books, 288 scientific articles, and conference materials, some of which were published abroad.

At the same time, significant results were achieved in the field of scientific personnel training, with dissertation defenses held at the Dissertation Council and the process of awarding academic degrees successfully continuing. The organization of national and international scientific conferences during the year, as well as participation in international scientific events, constituted one of the key areas of the Branch’s scientific activity.

Academician Ismayil Hajiyev also highlighted the activities carried out by the Nakhchivan Branch of ANAS aimed at expanding international cooperation, strengthening the integration of science and education, involving young researchers in scientific activity, organizing scientific events, and presenting science to society.

At the meeting, the report on the scientific and scientific-organizational activities of the Central Scientific Library for 2025 was presented by CSL Director, Doctor of Technical Sciences Huseyn Huseynov.

The speaker noted that the main areas of the library’s activities include enriching and digitizing collections, providing information services to readers, ensuring information support for scientific research, and applying modern technologies and artificial intelligence in the library and information system. He also emphasized that expanding international cooperation, organizing scientific and cultural events, preparing scientific publications, and implementing educational projects are among the key areas of activity.

It was reported that within the framework of implementing relevant decrees of President Ilham Aliyev, a number of targeted measures related to the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty” were carried out by the Central Scientific Library in 2025. A bibliographic index on the topic was published, and virtual and traditional exhibitions as well as lecture events were organized. At the same time, in accordance with the Decree “On the Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences,” a series of events were held at CSL to mark the 80th anniversary of ANAS, exhibitions titled “ANAS 80: Scientific Heritage and Development” were organized, and encyclopedic materials were scientifically revised.

The report also noted that last year marked the 100th anniversary of the Central Scientific Library, and in connection with this jubilee, virtual and traditional exhibitions titled “CSL 100: History and Modernity” were organized, an international scientific conference on “Innovations in Library and Information Activities in the Digital Age” was held, jubilee-related publications were issued, and a documentary film was produced.

In addition, based on the Automated Library Information System, the electronic library and online services were expanded, tens of thousands of full-text publications were included in the electronic database, special resources for inclusive readers were made available, and an artificial intelligence–based voice search system was implemented at CSL.

During the discussions on the reports presented, Director of the Ataturk Center in Azerbaijan, Academician Nizami Jafarov; Director of the Institute of Manuscripts, Academician Teymur Kerimli; Director of the Institute of Architecture and Art, Corresponding Member of ANAS Artegin Salamzade; Director of the Institute of Linguistics, Professor Nadir Mammadli; and Chief Researcher of the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature, Professor Gazanfar Pashayev, delivered speeches and shared their views on the significant scientific results achieved.

In his concluding remarks, Academician Isa Habibbeyli highly evaluated the activities of the Division of Humanities of ANAS, the Nakhchivan Branch of ANAS, and the Central Scientific Library of ANAS for 2025 and outlined the tasks facing them.

Following the discussions, by decision of the Presidium of ANAS, the reports on the scientific and scientific-organizational activities of the Division of Humanities, the Nakhchivan Branch of ANAS, and the Central Scientific Library for 2025 were approved, and it was decided that the significant results achieved would be included in ANAS’s annual report.

Summarizing the meeting, Academician Isa Habibbeyli addressed issues related to preserving the purity of the Azerbaijani language, conducting new scientific research in priority areas in Karabakh and surrounding territories, and increasing the number of studies on Iraqi Turkmen written literature. He emphasized the importance of publishing news in English and Russian on the websites of institutes and organizations for enhancing the international recognition of Azerbaijani scholars, stressing the need to pay greater attention to these areas.

Stating that special importance is attached to youth policy at ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that a “Youth Academy” has been established on the basis of the ANAS Council of Young Scientists and Specialists, its charter has been approved, and its first meeting has been held. He also emphasized that increasing the number of fundamental scientific articles published in high-impact international journals is a requirement of the modern era and is of particular importance in terms of integration into world science.

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

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