Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

The next meeting of the Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences was held.

The event was attended by ANAS President Academician Isa Habibbeyli, members of the Presidium, heads of departments of the Presidium’s administrative office, directors of scientific institutions and organizations, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Baku Yunus Emre Institute, and other relevant officials.

At the outset, ANAS Corresponding Member Amin Ismayilova was presented with the ANAS Honorary Diploma.

The first issue discussed at the meeting concerned the provisions of the unified action plan “Azerbaijan’s New Digital Architecture” initiated by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and the tasks facing the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

Addressing the issue, Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that on February 11, 2026, under the chairmanship of the head of state, a meeting dedicated to the unified action plan titled “Azerbaijan’s New Digital Architecture” was held. In his speech at the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev identified digital development as a key strategic direction determining the country’s future progress and emphasized that the application of artificial intelligence, the establishment of data centers, and digitalization processes shape the development model of countries on a global scale, and that Azerbaijan must act in line with these trends.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that in the modern world, achieving any development without building digital architecture is impossible, and that this direction constitutes one of the strategic priorities in the activities of the head of state. He noted that a number of important state documents have been adopted in this area, including the “Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Information Security and Cybersecurity for 2023–2027,” the “Digital Development Concept in the Republic of Azerbaijan,” and the “Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025–2028.” He added that significant steps have been taken to strengthen the country’s position in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and to ensure its inclusion among leading states, noting that the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution operates under the Ministry of Economy, and the Artificial Intelligence Academy functions under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli emphasized that a number of important measures have also been implemented at the National Academy of Sciences in the field of digitalization. He recalled that just three months after being elected ANAS President, in January 2023, the “Electronic Academy” Department was established within the Presidium’s administrative office in line with the challenges facing the state and the modern world. He also noted that “Electronic Services” departments were created within ANAS scientific institutions and organizations, and that personnel databases were initially formed. Over the past period, significant achievements have been made in digitalization, the application of artificial intelligence technologies, and the expansion of electronic services. In September 2025, under new realities, the “Electronic Academy” Department was renamed the “Digital Academy, Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Services” Department.

“This is not merely a change in the department’s name; it reflects the expansion of its functions, activities, and scope,” said Academician Isa Habibbeyli. Referring to the instructions given by the head of state in his speech at the 80th anniversary ceremony of ANAS, as well as remarks made during a televised interview on January 5 this year, he stated that by a decision of the Presidium dated January 8, 2026, “Digital Science and Artificial Intelligence” departments were established on the basis of the “Electronic Services” departments in scientific institutions and organizations. He added that these departments were upgraded from auxiliary to main department status and are now headed by scientific staff.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli stressed that an initial model of ANAS’s digital architecture has been formed and noted that at the second stage, an action plan for personnel training in this direction will be developed.

He underlined that, as emphasized by the head of state, digitalization must be the primary priority in the Academy’s activities and should be consistent and continuous.

“Based on the remarks voiced by the President at the meeting, how should we build the Academy’s new digital architecture? First of all, the President of the Academy must be personally interested in this matter and regard it as one of the main strategic priorities. As I mentioned, since January 2023 we have carried out extensive work in the field of electronic services. We have created a scientometric database of ANAS employees and established a citation system. We have also formed electronic databases of our journals and now assign DOIs to the articles of all our authors. At the same time, we regularly organize seminars in this direction, including one international conference. The ‘Electronic Academy’ Department has also developed the ‘Humanoid SUFI’ (Processing Words with Universal Functionality) robot. The ANAS President bears responsibility for building digital architecture within the Academy, and directors bear responsibility within their institutions. The ‘Digital Science and Artificial Intelligence’ departments in institutions serve as the main implementing branches of this architecture,” Academician Isa Habibbeyli said.

The ANAS President emphasized that personnel training and the establishment of a strong material and technical base are of particular importance for achieving significant results in this area. He noted that appropriate financial resources have been allocated to equip scientific institutions with the necessary equipment. He stressed that institute directors and heads of electronic departments must thoroughly study the tasks set by the head of state regarding digitalization and understand the essence of the work to be carried out in building this architecture.

“This is a challenge of the 21st century and a requirement of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Without technological thinking, technological development, technological vision, and technological achievement, it is difficult even to exist as an ordinary individual in the global arena among nations and academies in the 21st century. Therefore, the President’s project to build Azerbaijan’s new digital architecture should be understood as the architecture of the country’s new stage of development.”

Academician Isa Habibbeyli also noted that the head of state has instructed that each institution appoint a deputy responsible for digitalization, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to ensure more effective organization of work in this area. He stated that this individual will coordinate with the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and apply the acquired knowledge and innovations at their respective institutions. He added that ANAS Vice-President Academician Rasim Aliguliyev, a well-known scholar in this field who heads the Institute of Information Technology, will oversee future work in digitalization, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity at the Academy. Coordination with the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport will be carried out by Fariz Imranov, PhD in Mathematics, Head of the “Digital Academy, Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Services” Department.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli also instructed that employees of the “Digital Academy, Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Services” Department conduct training sessions for staff of the “Digital Science and Artificial Intelligence” departments within ANAS scientific institutions.

In addition to the work carried out, Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that important achievements have been made in recent years in establishing an electronic library, electronic archive, and electronic document management system at ANAS, and stated that the Academy’s digital architecture will continue to expand.

Subsequently, ANAS Vice-President Academician Rasim Aliguliyev stated that the meeting chaired by the head of state will eliminate fragmentation in implementing work in this field and promote interagency coordination. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening the regulatory framework and improving the digital literacy of the population of Azerbaijan.

Fariz Imranov, PhD in Mathematics and Head of the “Digital Academy, Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Services” Department, then spoke about achievements in the field of electronic services at ANAS and provided information on ongoing activities.

Following discussions, the Presidium decided to further strengthen the application of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in scientific research conducted at ANAS, taking into account the provisions and approaches put forward at the meeting chaired by the head of state. It was also decided to establish a Commission to assess the suitability of candidates proposed for the position of deputy responsible for digitalization, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity in ANAS scientific institutions and organizations.

The meeting then considered the approval of ANAS’s Action Plan related to the implementation of the Presidential Order dated January 28, 2026, “On the Celebration of the 900th Anniversary of the Great Azerbaijani Poet Khagani Shirvani.”

The Action Plan includes organizing conferences, scientific sessions, and round tables on topics such as “The Literary and Artistic Features of Khagani Shirvani’s Poetry and Its Place in Azerbaijani and Eastern Literature,” “The World of Ideals, Art and Craftsmanship of Khagani Shirvani,” “Secularism in Khagani Shirvani’s Poetry,” “Khagani Shirvani 900 – Predecessors and Successors: Medieval Manuscripts and Historical Problems of Azerbaijani Culture,” “Khagani Shirvani in the Context of Azerbaijani and Eastern Folklore,” “The Sovereign of the Realm of Words,” “Khagani Shirvani and the Socio-Cultural Environment of the 12th Century,” “Philosophical Consciousness and Poetry,” “A Prominent Figure of Classical Azerbaijani Literature: Khagani Shirvani,” “Nizami Ganjavi and Khagani Shirvani,” “The Sun of Classical Poetry Rising from Shamakhi: Afzaladdin Khagani,” and “Khagani Shirvani and Renaissance Processes in Azerbaijani Literature.” It also provides for the publication of the monograph “The Craftsmanship of Khagani Shirvani,” preparation for publication of philological translations of his ghazals and qasidas, compilation of a bibliographic index on his life and work, and the organization of traditional and virtual exhibitions.

Following discussions, the Presidium approved the ANAS Action Plan related to the 900th anniversary of Khagani Shirvani.

The meeting also addressed the state of preparations for the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress and the tasks ahead. Academician Isa Habibbeyli stated that in accordance with the relevant Presidential Order, the exceptional role of the Congress in shaping the common historical and cultural heritage, scientific thought, and humanitarian integration of Turkic peoples has been emphasized, and the organization of anniversary events has been instructed. Accordingly, ANAS’s Action Plan was approved at relevant Presidium meetings, and a commission chaired by Academician Isa Habibbeyli was established to ensure high-level organization of preparations.

He noted that events within the anniversary framework will be organized in stages, and that on February 27, 2026, an international scientific conference titled “The Founders and Traditions of the First Turkological Congress: History and Modernity” will be held. The main goal of the event will be to commemorate the initiators, leading figures, and scientific ideas of the First Turkological Congress and to discuss the continuation of its scientific and moral traditions in the modern era.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli added that comprehensive scientific discussions and panel sessions dedicated to the Congress’s scholarly heritage and contemporary Turkological processes are planned.

“Special importance has been attached to international scientific cooperation in the preparation process. Nearly 50 prominent scholars and researchers representing the Turkic world from Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Hungary, regions of the Russian Federation inhabited by Turkic peoples, as well as other countries, are expected to participate. Events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress are being implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Yunus Emre Institute, the Turkish Language Association, and Khazar University are participating as key partner organizers. Within the framework of cooperation with these institutions, joint activities are being carried out to prepare the scientific program, determine speakers and panel participants, coordinate with international partners, and shape the organizational and cultural program of the events,” Academician Isa Habibbeyli said.

At the same time, ANAS scientific divisions and institutes are conducting systematic work to organize conferences, round tables, and discussions dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress, prepare special publications, introduce the Congress’s transcripts and archival documents into scientific circulation, and ensure media coverage of anniversary events. Within this framework, special attention is being paid to the scientific analysis of the Congress’s ideas in the context of the modern Turkic world, as well as to the formation of common Turkic values and shared scientific memory.

Representatives of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Baku Yunus Emre Institute, and Khazar University then shared their views on the issues discussed.

The Presidium adopted a relevant decision to ensure the high-level organization of the aforementioned events.

The meeting also heard information on the results of ANAS President Academician Isa Habibbeyli’s participation in the Founding Conference of the International Association of Academies held in Athens, the capital of Greece.

Decisions were also adopted regarding the 85th anniversary of Academician Tofiq Nagiyev, the 100th anniversary of Academician Faiq Bagirzadeh, the 100th anniversary of ANAS Corresponding Member Ogtay Afandiyev, and the 75th anniversary of ANAS Corresponding Member Tofiq Aliyev.

During the meeting, Academician Rasim Aliguliyev, Academician Dilgam Tagiyev, Academician Ibrahim Guliyev, Academician Govhar Bakhshaliyeva, Academician Arif Hashimov and others expressed their views and proposals on the issues discussed.

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

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