On April 26, an international event on the topic "Prospects for the creation of transboundary geoparks in Azerbaijan and joining the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network" was held at the Galaalti health and wellness complex in Shabran district.

The event was attended by more than 50 scientists and specialists, including Acting Director of the Institute of Geography named after H. Aliyev, PhD, Associate Professor Zaur Imrani, Scientific Secretary, PhD, Associate Professor Saida Zeynalova, Leading Researcher, PhD Rovshan Karimov, as well as geographers, ecologists, tourism specialists, (online) colleagues from the German city of Giessen, representatives of non-governmental organizations.

The participants of the event noted that the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan plans to create a biosphere reserve on the basis of the Zagatala State Nature Reserve and a new geopark in the Alazan River (Ganykh) valley, covering the Samukh and Gakh districts, as well as the Ahar-Bahar mountain range. In addition, the prospects for creating transboundary geoparks on the territory of Azerbaijan are being considered. One of such projects is the geopark planned in the Julfa district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which may become part of a joint transboundary geopark with Iran. In turn, Acting Director of the IG Zaur Imrani, who has been involved in the creation of geoparks for a long time, expressed his position on this issue. He noted that this area is extremely relevant and promising. Geoparks are natural areas with outstanding geological heritage, having scientific significance in combination with nature conservation and tourism development. Zaur Imrani emphasized that geoparks introduce geographical science to a wider audience through excursions, open-air museums, educational programs, and scientific festivals. In her speech, Saida Zeynalova mentioned mud volcanoes as a potential geopark area, having unique landscapes. According to her, mud volcanoes and adjacent areas could be the most optimal geopark area.