On November 13–14, the 4th International Scientific and Practical Conference "Modern Problems of Geography: Integration of Science and Education" was held at the Institute of Geography named after acad. H. Aliyev of AR MSE. The conference was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Geography and the declaration of 2025 as the "Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty" in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The conference was jointly organized by the Institute of Geography, the Geographical Society, the University of Tourism and Management, West Caspian University, the Guba branch of the State Pedagogical University of Azerbaijan, as well as Justus Liebig University (Germany), Uludag University of Bursa (Turkey), the Institute of Geography and Water Security of Kazakhstan, North Kazakhstan University named after Manash Kozybayev, the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, the Institute of Geography named after Vakhushti Bagrationi (Georgia), the Russian Association of Social Geographers, Dagestan State Technical University and Dagestan State Pedagogical University named after R. Gamzatov.
The event was attended by ANAS Vice President and Academician Ibrahim Guliyev, Academician-Secretary of the Earth Sciences Department of ANAS, Academician Fakhraddin Gadirov, Academician Akif Alizade, as well as representatives of local and international universities, research institutes, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
The main goal of the event was to identify priority areas for modern geographical research, accelerate the transfer of scientific knowledge to education and industry, and further expand international scientific cooperation and exchange of experience.
Fakhraddin Gadirov welcomed the participants and declared the conference open. He outlined the topics for discussion, the importance of the event, and wished the conference success.
Acting Director General of the Institute of Geography, PhD in geography, Associate Professor Zaur Imrani delivered a presentation entitled "The Institute of Geography – 80 Years of History." The head of the institute spoke about the achievements of the Institute of Geography, its publication activities, key scientific results, prospects for the development of the institute, problems of geographical science, important steps taken recently to expand the international relations of the Institute of Geography, projects, etc.
Academician Akif Alizade, Director of the Guba branch of the Azerbaijan State University of Physical Education and Sports, Professor Yusif Aliyev, Director of the Georgian Institute of Geography Nana Bolashvili, Dean of the Faculty of Geography at BSU Magsad Gojamanov, Deputy Head of the National Hydrometeorological Service Akbar Askerov, representative of the Institute of Water Problems and Geography of Kazakhstan Alikhan Medeu, Professors Rza Makhmudov, Shovgisafa Geychaysky, Chingiz Ismailov, Professor Khalil Velizade of Tabriz University, and others delivered welcoming remarks and congratulated the staff of the Institute of Geography on its 80th anniversary.
Sergey Chernomorets, President of the Mudflow Association and Doctor of Geographical Sciences, presented a paper entitled "The Study of Mudflows and Glacial Disasters" at the plenary session, Georgiy Lominadze presented "Morphodynamic Processes and Adaptive Restoration of Georgia's Vulnerable Coastal Segment," and Arifa Karadag presented "Small Spaces, Big Consequences: Prospects for the Sustainability of Amateur Gardening and the Small House Movement in Turkey."
A memorandum of understanding on mutual scientific cooperation was signed between Institute of Geography the H. Aliev and the Georgian Institute of Geography and Geographical Society, as well as the Institute of Geography of Mirzo Ulugbek National University of Uzbekistan.
During the conference, breakout sessions discussed such topical issues as the current state of landscape management, climate and water resource management, soil and vegetation protection, regional socioeconomic development, tourism and recreational potential, and the views of young researchers on the development of liberated territories.
