The international conference on “Green economy: Science, education, technology and innovation” has started at UNEC
Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) has launched an international scientific-practical conference titled “Green Economy: Science, Education, Technology, and Innovation,” in collaboration with Saint Petersburg State University of Economics and dedicated to COP 29.
The conference is organized under UNEC’s “Year of Solidarity for a Green World” and “Green UNEC” initiatives. Prior to the event, participants visited an art exhibition by UNEC Design School students dedicated to environmental themes, viewed clothing made from eco-friendly materials, and sampled sustainable foods prepared by Food Engineering students in UNEC’s Food Safety Laboratory. They also explored a book exhibition on green economy.
In his opening remarks, UNEC Rector Professor Adalat Muradov highlighted the university’s strategic goal to transition to a green university by 2030, mentioning UNEC’s leadership position in the 2024 QS Sustainability Ranking for Azerbaijan. He emphasized that over 400 articles by UNEC researchers contribute to sustainable development goals, aligning with the “Year of Solidarity for a Green World.” Professor Muradov underscored the importance of discussions at COP 29 on topics such as the state’s role in green economy transitions, the transformation of global organizations to align with green economy concepts, the impact of environmental policies on economic growth, and shifting toward green education models.
A video address by Professor Igor Maksimsev, Rector of Saint Petersburg State University of Economics, was also featured, stressing the conference’s role in addressing globally relevant green economy issues and wishing the participants success.
Sadig Gurbanov, Chair of the Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment Committee of the National Assembly and UNEC Associate Professor, discussed the significance of Azerbaijan’s contributions to ecological improvement and highlighted COP 29 expectations. He stressed the importance of environmental awareness, recycling, technology development, and creating scientific centers, expressing confidence in the conference’s impact.
Turkey’s Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Prof. Lutfihak Alpkan, gave an engaging presentation on a fair transition to green transformation, sharing insights on factors driving green transformation, climate change, the climate crisis’s causes and effects, greenhouse gas emissions, and Turkey’s environmental contributions.
Following the opening remarks, Azerbaijani MP Academician Ziyad Samadzade, Russian Distinguished Scientist Georgiy Baghiyev, and Fuad Ibrahimov from Pasha Holding spoke on transitioning to a green economy, anti-crisis models for ecological and economic challenges, and innovative marketing concepts in the ecological goods market.
The conference continued with panel discussions moderated by Professor Zahid Mammadov, Director of UNEC’s Department for Scientific Activities and Management and Head of the UNEC Eurasia International Research Center. Experts from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, and Germany discussed green technologies, the role of entrepreneurs in the green economy, partnerships among educational institutions, business, and government for sustainable development, and green financing.
Supported by “Premium Bank” OJSC, the international conference is set to conclude on October 4.