On June 5, Sumgayit State University hosted an online Republican scientific conference on "Ecology and protection of life activities: achievements and problems."

Opening the conference, the rector of the university, Professor Elkhan Huseynov, greeted the participants and especially the guests from outside organizations, including SOCAR, Deputy Head of Ecology, Science and Technology, Professor Aflatun Hasanov, Director of the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Corresponding Member of ANAS, Professor Alovsat Guliyev, Head of Sumgayit Regional Department of Ecology and Natural Resources Mubariz Valiyev, Director of the Institute of Microbiology, Corresponding Member of ANAS, Professor Panah Muradov, Dean of the Faculty of Ecology and Soil Science of BSU Professor Nazim Shamilov.

The rector spoke about the importance of the conference. He noted that ensuring the right of people to live in a healthy environment and efficient use of natural resources is one of the important components of social reforms in the country. The measures taken in Azerbaijan to protect the environment and solve environmental problems have become more intensive since the 1970s. During this period, under the leadership of our national leader, important decisions were made in the field of solving environmental problems, public attention was focused on environmental protection, and extensive landscaping measures were taken. After the return of the great leader Heydar Aliyev to power in 1993 at the insistence of the people, as a result of his attention to the protection of the environment, among other areas, a new environmental policy was formed in our country. Guided by the recommendations of the national leader, the work to protect and restore the rich nature and natural resources of independent Azerbaijan continues successfully today, new projects are being implemented, enlightenment measures are being taken to increase public, local and international organizations" attention to environmental problems. As a continuation of this series of events, 2010 was declared the "Year of Ecology" by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. As a result of the care of President Ilham Aliyev, important work is being done in our country to solve environmental problems, and national programs are being implemented for      environmentally sustainable socio-economic development, restoration and reforestation.

The rector also noted that as a result of the constant development of industry in modern times in line with the achievements of scientific and technological progress, new infrastructures have been created, jobs have been created, in short, the country"s industry has entered the next stage of development. The study of modern environmental conditions in terms of the analysis of social processes from the point of view of universal perspectives is very necessary and important. In this regard, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation"s "Let"s plant a tree" project, which serves to protect the ecology and the environment, has also made great contributions to this area. Within the framework of this project initiated by the President of the Foundation, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, hectares of land in our country have been planted with greenery. The work done in our country in the field of environmental protection within the IDEA - International Dialogue Campaign for Environmental Protection on the initiative of Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva is an indicator of the importance given to environmental problems in Azerbaijan. Naturally, in order to increase the effectiveness of environmental protection measures in the country, there is a great need to create a coordinated mass education system among young people, to instill in them the skills of effective use of nature. In modern times, it is very important to promote the results achieved in the field of ecological science and the publication of visual aids. The publication and dissemination of textbooks, research results and scientific books are of great importance for this important issue. Holding conferences to share new environmental ideas of scientists in this field is one of the urgent requirements of the day. Since 1998, Sumgayit State University has been holding international and national scientific conferences on "Ecology and protection of life activities." In recent years, much has been done and is being done in Azerbaijan in the field of nature protection and efficient use of the environment. In the big cities of the country, especially in Baku and Sumgayit, very serious attention is paid to environmental issues and a number of measures are being taken.

Rector also noted that in accordance with the decree of the President and the program of socio-economic development of the regions, Sumgayit State University aims to meet the needs of qualified personnel for enterprises working with technology in accordance with modern world standards. Within the framework of the implemented state programs, the infrastructure of general education in all regions of the country has been significantly renewed, the normative legal base of education meeting modern requirements has been created. Sumgayit State University, the only higher education institution in Sumgayit, has signed many international projects since its establishment, has paid special attention to strengthening relations with foreign universities, teacher-student exchange, joint research, participation in international conferences and congresses, educational programs. In particular, today"s conference on "Ecology and protection of life activities: achievements, problems" once again confirms the above.

Then SOCAR, Deputy head of Ecology Department, on Science and Technology, Professor Aflatun Hasanov made a report on “Health, healthy lifestyle”, Director of the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Corresponding Member of ANAS, Professor Alovsat Guliyev "Ways to solve environmental problems in the area of Chukhurdere and the former Iodine Bromine Plant in Absheron", Mubariz Valiyev, the head of Sumgayit Regional Department of Ecology and Natural Resources No. 4, made a report on “The state of waste management in Sumgayit”, Rahila Ahmadova, the head of the Department of Ecology of SSU, “Plastic waste and their innovative management”.

The speakers spoke about the work done in Azerbaijan in recent years to address environmental problems, large-scale projects and decisions taken by the President in this area.

Vice-rector for Science and Innovations, Professor Ramazan Mammadov informed about the importance and progress of the conference. He noted that 134 articles and theses from 18 organizations were included in today"s conference, 94 theses and articles were included in the conference program through the anti-plagiarism program.

The head of the Department of Ecology, associate professor Rahila Ahmadova, said that the conference will be held over two days in four sections (June 5 at 15:00, June 6 at 11:00), and the conference will close on June 6 at 16:00. The two-day conference will end with a report by the heads of departments, general discussions, proposals and relevant decisions.