On March 10, the Acting President of ANAS, academician Arif Gashimov met with the general directors, executive directors and scientific secretaries of scientific institutions of the Department of Earth Sciences of the Academy at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics,.

Opening the event, General Director of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Academician Akif Alizade said that the meeting was dedicated to the current state of the institutions of the Department of Earth Sciences, existing problems and research, long-term plans and modernization of scientific research. Recalling that the President of ANAS, Academician Arif Hashimov had previously met with scientists from other scientific Institutes of the Academy, Academician Akif Alizade highly appreciated such events.

He noted that the scientists of the Department of Earth Sciences are ready to actively participate in all activities undertaken for the development of ANAS and Azerbaijani science, and share their experience.

Speaking at the meeting, the Acting President of ANAS, academician Arif Gashimov said that one of the main goals set when creating the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan in 1945 was to study the natural resources of our country. According to academician Arif Hashimov, research in the field of geology and geophysics, development of oil and gas fields, seismology and geography, alternative energy, natural resources, environmental protection, problems of the Caspian Sea, ecology and other areas that form the basis of scientific activity of the Department of Sciences of Earth, play an important role in science and the development of the republic as a whole. The Academician noted that the Department has trained outstanding scientists in the history of both Azerbaijan and the former USSR, noting that its employees have great scientific potential. He said that at the General Meeting of ANAS in 2011, academician Akif Alizade made 4 important proposals for conducting comprehensive research in the Department of Earth Sciences, which, in turn, was reflected in the achievements of the department in recent years.

Speaking about the preparation of the draft Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Science in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2030, Academician Arif Hashimov said that the document reflects a number of important proposals made by the department.

At the end of his speech, the academician emphasized the importance of preserving the scientific potential, the need to preserve scientific schools and ensure the sustainability of science.

Speaking at the event, Vice-President of ANAS, Chairman of the Academic Council of the Department, Academician Ibrahim Guliyev said that the Department has great scientific potential, noting that in recent years young employees have been sent for internships at international academic centers through grant projects to maintain this potential.

Academician Ibrahim Guliyev said that climate change in the world today has revealed a number of geological problems, adding that scientists working in the field of geosciences have a great responsibility in conducting research on these problems and solving them.

Referring to the existing problems in the Department of Earth Sciences, Academician Ibrahim Guliyev said that the country needs a number of equipment to conduct important scientific research in the field of water resources, climatology and other areas that are relevant today, and as a result, there is a need to organize special laboratories. He also voiced proposals to expand relations between ANAS and Azercosmos OJSC, to finance expeditions.

The meeting was attended by the General Director of the Institute of Oil and Gas of ANAS, Academician Fakhraddin Gadirov, General Director of the Republican Seismological Service Center, Corresponding Member of ANAS Gurban Yetirmishli, General Director of the Institute of Geography, Doctor of Geography Zakir Eminov and General Director of the Museum of Natural History, Ph.D.Tariel Eibatov. They spoke about the impact of climate change on the environment, the collection and storage of carbon dioxide, changes in the level of the Caspian Sea, geodynamic processes, seismic stations installed and planned to be installed within the framework of an international grant project, etc. He said that these areas are being research, and also voiced their suggestions.

Speaking at the end, Acting President of ANAS, academician Arif Gashimov said that such meetings would be held regularly and wished the staff of the department success in their research work.