The strong emphasis placed on friendship and reliable strategic partnership relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Serbia, the current state of bilateral relations, as well as several agreements reached, have created a solid foundation for continuous scientific and academic activity. For this purpose, the Institute of Geography acted as a partner at the International Conference titled “Tourism-Recreational Complexes in the System of Regional Development,” held in Belgrade from April 20–24, 2026. This conference was organized by the Geographical Society of Serbia, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Banja Luka, the Osh Technological University named after M.M. Adyshev, the International State Ecological Institute named after A.D. Sakharov of the Belarusian State University, and other scientific and educational institutions.
The aim of the international conference was to determine the role and current trends in the transformation of tourism-recreational complexes within the system of regional development, taking into account the priority of innovative approaches in the economy, the development of domestic and international tourism, and the improvement of service quality. The conference brought together representatives of the international scientific community, discussing problems related to the development of science and practice in the field of tourism and recreation, and setting as its main priority the support of national economies and regional strategic development.
At the opening ceremony, the Deputy Director of the Institute of Geography, Acting Director, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor Zaur Imrani, representing Azerbaijani science and the partner institution, delivered a speech. He provided extensive information on the tourism development strategy in Azerbaijan, the country’s tourism policy with world states, tourism accessibility, and its teaching in the education system. He also presented the book “100 Questions and Answers about Azerbaijan” to the speakers.
Afterwards, the participants visited the monument dedicated to the world-famous political figure Heydar Aliyev, erected on June 8, 2011, in Tašmajdan Park in Belgrade.
At the plenary session, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor Zaur Imrani delivered a presentation titled “Application of New Tourism Models to Ensure the Development Dynamics of the Tourism Sector in the Republic of Azerbaijan.” He provided detailed information on traditional and modern tourism models, their application, the formation of the tourism market, territorial organization of recreational zones, ways to increase tourism revenue, and recent tourism development trends.
Then, PhD in Geography, Associate Professor Saida Zeynalova presented on “Transformation of the Coastal Zone of the Azerbaijani Sector of the Caspian Sea: Environmental Risks and Recreational Potential of Reclaimed Lands,” and PhD in Geography Sevil Guliyeva presented on “Natural Conditions and Resources as the Basis of Tourism and Recreational Potential of the Southern Slope of the Greater Caucasus (between the Mazimchay and Shinchay rivers).”
On the final day of the event, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor Zaur Imrani visited the Faculty of Geography at the University of Belgrade and the center of the Russian Geographical Society in Serbia. He held discussions with geographers aimed at strengthening scientific and academic cooperation. He also met with Professor Abdurashit Nizamiyev, Director of the Institute of Geography operating under the Osh Technological University named after M.M. Adyshev, and invited the institute he leads to engage in scientific cooperation, including the implementation of international events and professional development programs.
