Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

A regular meeting of the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) was held.

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

At the beginning of the meeting, Corresponding Member of ANAS Elshad Gurbanov was awarded the ANAS Honorary Diploma in recognition of his services to the development of science and education in the country.

The first issue discussed at the meeting concerned the tasks arising from the implementation of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated January 28, 2026, “On the Celebration of the 900th Anniversary of the Great Azerbaijani Poet Khagani Shirvani.” Speaking on the matter, Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that the Decree instructs the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, jointly with the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, to prepare and implement an Action Plan dedicated to the 900th anniversary of Khagani Shirvani. Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that designating ANAS as one of the main executors of this document is an expression of the respect and trust shown by the Head of State toward Azerbaijani scholars and the Academy, and expressed his deep gratitude to the President.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli emphasized that in recent years, by relevant decrees of President Ilham Aliyev, “The Year of Nasimi,” “The Year of Nizami Ganjavi,” and “The Year of Heydar Aliyev” have been declared, and the anniversaries of many prominent historical figures have been celebrated at a high level. In line with state policy, he noted that one of the reforms implemented at ANAS in recent years has been the concept of returning to literary and historical figures, through which the heritage of outstanding historical personalities has been reintroduced to Azerbaijani society.

Noting that only a limited number of works dedicated to Khagani have been produced so far, Academician Isa Habibbeyli highlighted Qafar Kandli’s work “Khagani Shirvani (His Life, Era, and Environment)” as particularly notable, adding that the Institute of Literature republished the book five years ago with the addition of three chapters on the poet’s epic, lyrical, and qasida works. He also recalled that in 2017, a scientific conference dedicated to Khagani Shirvani was held in Shabran, jointly organized by the Institute of Literature and the district executive authority, and that a memorial plaque was installed on the remains of a dungeon believed to have been where Khagani was imprisoned in Shabran.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli drew attention to the fact that during the current year, Khagani Shirvani’s work “Tohfat al-Iraqayn” will be published for the first time with commentaries. In addition, he noted that conferences at the Academy level, including in Shamakhi, will be organized jointly by the Departments of Humanities and Social Sciences, and that scholars will publish articles in the press addressing Khagani’s identity and analyzing his works.

The head of ANAS emphasized that the Presidential Decree will enable a systematic study of the rich life and legacy of Khagani Shirvani—an outstanding master of words and thinker belonging to the golden age of Azerbaijani literature and culture and who played an important role in shaping universal cultural heritage—based on modern scientific and methodological approaches, as well as comprehensive research and promotion of his legacy rich in socio-philosophical, humanistic, and patriotic ideas within the broad scientific and cultural opportunities created by independence.

Taking the above into account, it was decided to instruct ANAS scientific departments, institutions and organizations, as well as regional scientific divisions and centers, to submit proposals to the Presidium for the preparation of the ANAS Action Plan for the celebration of Khagani Shirvani’s 900th anniversary.

The next issue discussed at the meeting concerned the state of preparations for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress. Referring to the Decree of the Head of State dated October 22, 2025, “On the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the First Turkological Congress,” Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that extensive work has already begun at the Academy. He noted that within the framework of the ANAS Action Plan, the publication of a number of monographs is envisaged, and three of these books have already been published. The head of ANAS emphasized that necessary steps are being taken to ensure the high-level celebration of the Congress’s 100th anniversary and that many researchers from the Turkic world and European countries have expressed interest in participating in the jubilee events. He also highlighted close cooperation with Turkey’s Yunus Emre Institute and other institutions in this regard.

By decision of the Presidium, a commission chaired by Academician Isa Habibbeyli was established at ANAS to oversee preparations for the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress.

Another issue discussed at the meeting concerned the renaming of the Toponymy Department of the Nasimi Institute of Linguistics of ANAS to the Onomastics Department. Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that following the instructions given by the Head of State in his speech at the 80th anniversary of ANAS regarding the preservation of the purity of the Azerbaijani language, a number of immediate steps were taken at the Academy. He noted that expanding the functions of the Toponymy Department and renaming it as the Onomastics Department is a logical continuation of these steps. The head of ANAS also pointed out that in the future, a recommendation book on the assignment of personal names will be prepared and presented to relevant institutions.

Following discussions, the Presidium decided to rename the Toponymy Department of the Nasimi Institute of Linguistics of ANAS as the Onomastics Department.

The meeting also heard information from Aynur Mahmud, Head of the Human Resources Department of the Presidium’s apparatus of ANAS and Doctor of Philosophy in Philology, regarding amendments made to the Labor Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Subsequently, the new Charter of the Department of Digital Academy, Artificial Intelligence, and Electronic Services of the Presidium’s apparatus of ANAS was approved. In addition, Academic Secretary of ANAS, Academician Arif Hashimov, presented information on the outcomes of his participation in the “International Black Sea Rize Ayder Forum” held in Turkey.

The meeting also adopted decisions regarding the 80th anniversary of Academician Jamil Aliyev, the 90th anniversary of Corresponding Member of ANAS Haji Aghabey Sultanov, and the 75th anniversary of Corresponding Member of ANAS Amin Ismayilov.

During the discussion of the issues on the agenda, Academician Rasim Aliguliyev, Academician Irada Huseynova, Academician Arif Hashimov, Corresponding Member of ANAS Gurban Yetirmishli, Professors Karim Shukurov, Nadir Mammadli, Sayaly Sadigova, Doctor of Philological Sciences Serkhan Khaveri, Doctor of Technical Sciences Huseyn Huseynov, Doctor of Philosophy in History Farhad Guliyev, Doctors of Philosophy in Philology Sabuhi Gahramanov and Elchin Ismayilov, and others delivered speeches and voiced their opinions and proposals.

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

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