Azerbaijani and Chinese scientists discussed prospects of cooperation in solving nature problems

10.05.2024 /

Academician Ali Abbasov, General Director of the Institute of Control Systems (ICS) of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MSE RA), Tofig Babayev, PhD in Engineering, Head of the Department of International Relations and Innovations, and Renying Li, Assistant Director for Public Relations, visited the People's Republic of China from April 22 to 26 at the invitation of Guangzhou University (GU) and China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The purpose of the visit was the establishment of cooperation and implementation of joint projects with Chinese scientists and experts in addressing 21st century global Earth problems, including natural disasters, climate change, water management and other nature problems, under the UN Sustainable Development Goals program, by collecting aerospace information about the earth, collecting and processing it in data centers in Silk Road countries.

During the visit, the delegation held meetings and discussions at Guangzhou University, Wuhan University, China National Space Administration, Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), Chushang Federation of Hubei Province Association. The guests visited the research center of Guangdon Huitian Aerokosmik Texnologiya Co., Ltd. engaged in production of autonomous aircrafts and cars in China, and FiberHome Telecommunication Technologies Co., Ltd. and got acquainted with the areas of their activities.

Receiving the Azerbaijani delegation, Mr. Biang Ziang, Vice Chairman of the Board of China National Space Administration, stressed the importance of cooperation with Azerbaijan's Azercosmos Space Agency. He noted that the chief engineer of CNSA participated with a large delegation in the 74th Astronautical Congress (IAC-2023) held last year in Baku and spoke about the ties of cooperation with Azerbaijan within the framework of the "One Belt, One Road" project.

In his response speech, the head of the delegation, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Space Agency Dunay Badirkhanov thanked the hosts for the invitation, highlighted the achievements of Azercosmos and CNSA in recent years and noted the importance of expanding cooperation between the space organizations.

Talking about the capabilities of Azercosmos, Badirkhanov emphasized the availability of three national satellites, the provision of space services to 50 different countries and the recent expansion of ties with Chinese companies, the participation of many Chinese organizations and companies in the 74th International Astronautical Congress, and the importance of articles and presentations by Chinese scientists and specialists. D.Badirkhanov noted the importance of developing further cooperation between Azercosmos and CNSA and participation of representatives of science of both countries in this field.

The Azerbaijani delegation also took part in the ceremonial meeting dedicated to China's Space Day in the city of Wuhan and the Space Cooperation Forum between China and the Latin American and Caribbean countries.

During the visit, Azerbaijani and Chinese scientists held discussions on joint cooperation in the platform of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative within the framework of the scientific program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on applied problems of Earth exploration from space, including the solution of science-intensive problems of transport and logistics along the "Middle Corridor" between Europe and Asia, of which the Republic of Azerbaijan is an active participant.

Noting that Azerbaijan had been a supporter of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative put forward by China in 2013 from day one, Ali Abbasov emphasized the importance of the "Digital Belt and Road" (DBAR) megaproject initiated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China National Space Administration in 2016. The academician stressed the need for joint activities of scientists and specialists in environmental protection, addressing Earth problems and monitoring along the Great Silk Road within the framework of the UN "Sustainable Development Goals", coordinating relevant research organizations in the region.

A.Abbasov said that at the suggestion of Azerbaijan at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly in 2010 and 67th session in 2013 a decision had been made to implement the project "Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway" under the coordination of the Azerbaijani government.

Prospects were discussed for joint participation of the Institute of Control Systems, Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangzhou University for joint participation of Azerbaijani and Chinese scientists in joint discussions, as well as in the session of the UN Conference of Parties (COP29), one of the most prestigious events in the world, to be held in Azerbaijan in November this year.

A memorandum on scientific and technological cooperation was also signed between Guangzhou University of the PRC and the Institute of Control Systems of MSE RA at the meeting.