The opening ceremony of the international conference on the “Role of Universities in Green Energy and Sustainability” was held at ADA University, as the Chair of the Coordination Council of the CICA Partnership Network of Leading Universities (PNLU).
Co-organized by ADA University, the Institute for Development and Diplomacy (IDD), the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA), operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the event brought together more than 50 professors, researchers and university representatives from 21 member countries, including Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, People’s Republic of China, Palestine, India, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Türkiye and Vietnam.
The two-day conference will feature discussions on the role of universities in increasing energy efficiency, the application of green technologies, regional cooperation in the field of sustainability, innovative approaches in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
It also serves as a platform for discussing new partnership initiatives and joint projects between universities within the CICA.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Fariz Ismailzade, ADA Vice Rector, Member of the Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, highlighted the significant role of universities in the field of green energy.
Zhang Ling, Deputy Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), mentioned that during the Azerbaijani chairmanship of the organization, a new initiative was put forward regarding cooperation among universities.
Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister and COP29 Lead Negotiator Rafiyev, said that crucial steps had been undertaken as part of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction & Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). “During this period, the Women Council and the Finance Summit of CICA were established. Both organizations will contribute to the deepening of cooperation within the organization in the future. Besides, the 8th CICA Youth Council Meeting and 8th plenary session of CICA Business Council were held in Azerbaijan last month. All this shows that Azerbaijan has achieved its ambitious goals within the framework of its chairmanship. Currently, the CICA is planning to convene its General Assembly,” Rafiyev underlined.
The speakers highlighted the growing role of higher education in fight against climate change, the importance of regional solidarity, and the results achieved within the framework of COP29.
As part of the conference, the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and ADA University presented a joint research project titled “Green and Sustainable Recovery: Azerbaijan Experience”, which will begin in September 2025.
The panel also included Shamkhal Mukhtarov, Chief Advisor to the Special Representative Office of the President of Azerbaijan in Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavend districts, and Nargiz Garajayeva, Senior Advisor to the Special Representative Office of the President in Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts, who provided insight into the ongoing efforts in the liberated territories towards sustainable development, the “smart village” concept and ecological restoration.
AZERTAC