An event dedicated to the Science Day of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences was held at the Central Scientific Library.

The event was attended by the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, Chairman of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan, People's Writer Anar, Deputy Chairman of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Academician Rafael Huseynov, Chairman of the Science and Education Committee of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Professor Anar Iskandarov, Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan Sahib Mammadov, Chairman of the Press Council of Azerbaijan Rashad Majid, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Elders of Azerbaijan, Academician Abel Maharramov, Director of the Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature, Professor Irma Ratiani, members of the Milli Majlis, members of the Presidium of ANAS, employees of scientific institutions of ANAS and the Ministry of Science and Education, the Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature, rectors of higher educational institutions, representatives of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan, the National Library of Azerbaijan, young scientists and media representatives.

First, fresh flowers were laid at the bust of the great leader Heydar Aliyev.

Then an exhibition of books and paintings reflecting scientific achievements dedicated to the Science Day was held. The exhibition of works by the Chairman of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan, People's Writer Anar, was also viewed and his autograph session was organized.

President of ANAS Academician Isa Habibbeyli opened the event and spoke on “Science Day and dialog between science and literature”. Recalling that this year's Science Day coincides with the 80th anniversary of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that the Presidential Decree “On celebrating the 80th anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan” dated March 18, 2025 highly appreciated the glorious historical path and defined the future tasks of the Academy.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that the recent decree of the head of state on optimizing the activity of scientific institutions and increasing their efficiency will give impetus to the development of science in our country, abandoning old models inherited from the Soviet times and conducting research in areas necessary for the independent state of Azerbaijan in updated directions adapted to modern challenges.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli said global scientific trends such as artificial intelligence, digital technologies and “green economy” are among the main research topics of world scientists. He said Azerbaijani scientists also conduct research and implement projects in these directions and our country's position in the world science is protected. He noted that over the past 3 years the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences for the first time in its history has been elected a full member of international scientific institutions - the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA), the International Science Council (ICSU) and the Inter-Academy Partnership (IAP) and has a voice in determining important decisions and scientific directions in world science.

“One of the important functions of science is the formation of a scientific elite. This elite has a rational way of thinking, and as a result of the purposeful policy of our state, a national scientific elite has been formed in our country. This is a vivid example of the attention paid to science at the state level. Our achievements in the field of science development are already continuing at a steady pace,” Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted.

Noting that over the past 80 years Azerbaijani science has trained world-famous scientists and created scientific schools, Academician Isa Habibbeyli said the memory of our outstanding scientists who left their mark in the scientific history of our country will always be cherished, and the tradition formed by them is further enriched and continued by the national scientific elite in accordance with the challenges of modern era.

“Over the past 80 years, 437 outstanding scientists have been elected as full members and corresponding members of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. Among these scientists 1 Hero of the Soviet Union, 10 Heroes of Socialist Labor, 72 laureates of the State Prize of the USSR, 11 were awarded the State Prize of independent Azerbaijan. The 1970-80s of the last century are considered to be the period of revival of Azerbaijani science by the successes achieved. Undoubtedly, this period of revival is directly linked to the name of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. The great leader always paid special attention and care to science, education, intellectuals, as a result of which Azerbaijan became known for its scientific achievements both within the republic and internationally. The fact that the national leader held one of his first meetings with intellectuals at the National Academy of Sciences on September 21, 1993, during his second term of office, literally breathed new life into the development of our science,” the ANAS President emphasized.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli said the scientific policy laid down and successfully implemented by national leader Heydar Aliyev is being continued today at high level by President Ilham Aliyev, and said the head of state has always paid special attention and care to science, education, literature and in general our national culture. He noted important researches are being carried out at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences in priority areas defined by President Ilham Aliyev - liberated territories, West Azerbaijan, Turkic world, artificial intelligence, and that 47 new departments have been created at the expense of internal resources to carry out research in these areas.

Noting that the obtained achievements are widely presented at today's exhibition, the head of ANAS noted that active participation of youth in the exhibition is a bright indicator of confidence in the future of our science.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that this year's Science Day is also dedicated to the life and works of the honorary guest, Chairman of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan, People's Writer Anar, noted that the writer is an innovator in Azerbaijani literature and his personality and works are always in the center of attention. He said Anar has always represented our nation worthily with his works, created such a literary school as “Gobustan” and gave direction to our literature by heading the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan.

“Science is a worldwide concept, while literature represents national characteristics. Literature, becoming national, takes on a worldwide nature, and science, becoming a wordwide concept, becomes national. During the period of independence, Azerbaijani writers responded to the challenges of modernity and created works that reflect the thoughts, concerns and vision of the future of the citizens of the independent state”, Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted.

At the end of his speech, Academician Isa Habibbeyli on behalf of Azerbaijani science, the staff of the Academy, our intellectuals expressed gratitude to the head of state for the attention and care shown to ANAS and our science, and noted that Azerbaijani scientists will continue their research guided by the national interests and priorities of our country.

Then, Chairman of Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation Sahib Mammadov spoke, saying science and education are one of the main priority areas of President Ilham Aliyev's social policy: “Consistent measures implemented in this direction are aimed at forming the national scientific elite and increasing its role in the development of the economy”. He emphasized that in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution - the era of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and digital technologies - scientific achievements of Azerbaijani scientists play an important role in the development of the country. This policy was laid down by national leader Heydar Aliyev and is being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev.

Sahib Mammadov added that currently a favorable environment has been created in our country for scientific researches and innovations, opportunities for realization and commercialization of scientists' inventions have been expanded. The chairman also talked about the activities of the Trade Unions Confederation, saying that reforms are being carried out in the trade unions and special attention is paid to the protection of welfare and rights of the members of the Confederation. He also mentioned that electronic services have been introduced in the Confederation and Electronic Platform has been formed.

Sahib Mammadov, who informed that there is also a Free Trade Union in ANAS, talked about the relations of this organization with the Confederation. He noted that the Free Trade Union implements large-scale measures to improve the welfare of scientists, protect their health and spend their leisure time effectively.

Chairman of the Committee on Science and Education of Milli Majlis Prof. Anar Iskandarov in his speech congratulated the scientific community on Science Day, touching upon important moments in the history of Azerbaijani science. Prof. Anar Iskandarov noted that the important place of science and education in Azerbaijani society was one of the main issues included in the agenda of the parliament back in 1919, in the times of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The Chairman of the Committee emphasized that the initiatives related to the establishment of the first higher education institution at that time and the discussions held in the Parliament were a vivid example of the importance attached to the development of science and education: “In 1919, the state of science and education was put up for discussion in the Azerbaijani Parliament. By the decision of the parliament 100 young Azerbaijanis were sent abroad to study in prestigious universities of the world”.

Noting the establishment of the Independence Museum in December 1919 as another important step in the development of science, Prof. Anar Iskandarov said the first exhibits presented there were considered scientific achievements of that time. Drawing attention to the achievements of today's Azerbaijani science, he emphasized that the achievements were reflected in today's exhibition.

“The greatness of every nation is measured by its contribution to the world science and scientific achievements,” the committee chairman said, referring to the development of historical science in the modern era and emphasizing the importance of conveying the historical truth about Azerbaijan's victory in the 44-day Patriotic War to the world. He noted that among the factors President Ilham Aliyev called the main conditions of the victory was the correct presentation of the historicity of the problem to the international community. He added that historical science is a constantly developing field and in this regard it is important that the problem of West Zangezur also comes to the forefront in the context of scientific research.

At the end of his speech, Prof. Anar Iskenderov expressed confidence that given the recent comprehensive reforms, even greater successes will be achieved in the integration of Azerbaijani science into the world science.

Greeting the participants of the event, Director of the Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature Professor Irma Ratiani congratulated the Azerbaijani scientific community on Science Day. She noted that science is a space that unites representatives of different nations, and it is this space that has brought Georgian and Azerbaijani scientists together. Professor Irma Ratiani stressed that her organization has been cooperating with the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS for more than 10 years, gave detailed information about the project “Shota Rustaveli and Nizami Ganjavi”. She said that the first part of the project has already been completed and the book, which is the result of the research, has been published in Georgian and English languages by Cambridge University Press. The Director of the Institute informed that the second part of the project is of interdisciplinary nature and added that in addition to literary scholars, art historians, musicologists and scientists of other fields took part in the project. She thanked Academician Isa Habibbeyli for cooperation. Noting that a Digital Literature Center has been established at the Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature, the professor invited the scientists of the Institute of Literature of ANAS to cooperate in this sphere as well.

After the speech, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, President of ANAS, presented certificates of appreciation to the Director of the Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature Prof. Irma Ratiani and Prof. Maka Elbakidze.

Deputy Chairman of the Council of Elders of Azerbaijan Abel Maharramov, Deputy Chairman of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Rafael Huseynov, General Director of the Institute of Control Systems of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Academician Ali Abbasov, Director of the Ataturk Center in Azerbaijan Academician Nizami Jafarov, Director of the National Library of Azerbaijan Professor Kerim Tahirov, Editor-in-Chief of “Gobustan” magazine Parvin Nuraliyeva spoke at the event, congratulating our scientists on the Science Day and talking about achievements of Azerbaijani science in recent years, life and literary activity of national writer Anar.

Academician Ali Abbasov presented a video voiced by Anar, created with the help of artificial intelligence by employees of the Institute of Control Systems.

Then the guest of honor of the Science Day, Chairman of the Writers' Union of Azerbaijan, People's Writer Anar made a speech. He sincerely congratulated Azerbaijani scientists on the Science Day and wished them new successes and achievements. Thanking the leadership of the Academy for organizing such a significant holiday, as well as for the autograph session and exhibition of his works, Anar shared his thoughts on the Exhibition of Scientific Achievements. He said that this exhibition can be scientific only in an independent country and a nation that has won a historical victory. Emphasizing that the study of West Azerbaijan, Turkic world and other priority areas, on which in-depth studies are currently being conducted, is possible only in an independent country, the national writer talked about the differences that existed in different periods and emphasized that the work carried out in these areas in ANAS under the leadership of Academician Isa Habibbeyli will contribute to the development of our country.

After the speeches, the film “Face to Face with Anar” about Anar was shown.

As part of the event, a number of scientists, specialists and journalists were awarded Certificates of Merit of ANAS, Honorary Diplomas of ANAS, diplomas “Young Scientist of the Year” and Certificates of Appreciation for scientific achievements and contribution to popularization of science, including by Academician Isa Habibbeyli. The award of the Council of Elders of Azerbaijan was also conferred.

In his closing speech, Academician Isa Habibbeyli congratulated the participants of the event and our scientists on the Science Day and wished them success in scientific research.