Official addresses

The address was delivered by Ms Farah Aliyeva, Head of the Department for Humanitarian Policy, Diaspora, Multiculturalism and Religious Affairs at the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

To the participants of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad

Dear forum participants!

I sincerely welcome you on the occasion of the opening of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad in the capital of our country and wish each of you good health and success. I would especially like to emphasise that holding the forum at a time when our territorial integrity and sovereignty have been fully restored carries symbolic meaning.

The prominent place occupied by scholars among our compatriots living abroad creates broad opportunities for the development of the Azerbaijani diaspora. Substantial work has been carried out in recent years to build closer ties with our fellow citizens working in science and to support their active participation in programmes and projects that serve our national interests.

I am confident that the forum will be highly effective for networking among Azerbaijani scientists residing in different countries, deepening their links with our universities and research institutions, drawing on shared achievements, accelerating our country's advancement towards global goals, and integrating Azerbaijani science into the international scientific community.

I believe that the forum will take place in an atmosphere of thorough exchange of ideas and substantive discussion in support of sustainable and innovative development of science in Azerbaijan, and will help identify productive avenues of cooperation through which our scientists can contribute their knowledge and experience to the restoration of our liberated historical lands.

Ilham ALIYEV

Baku, Gulustan Palace

9 September 2024

May God protect the Turk!

Dear participants, dear compatriots,

I greet you at this forum organised by the World Association of Azerbaijani Scientists from distant America. This event is an excellent opportunity for Azerbaijani scientists living in different parts of the world to come together and contribute to the development of science and technology in our homeland. The forum's discussions and exchange of ideas are of great importance for shaping strategic plans for Azerbaijan's future.

The unity of Turkic peoples and the strong friendship between Türkiye and Azerbaijan are the foundation of peace and prosperity in the region. This friendship should also be reflected in the advancement of science and education. We must work together to promote the application of new technologies and the expansion of international cooperation in these fields. Building a better Azerbaijan for future generations is in our hands. I wish you success on this path.

Aziz SANCAR, M.D., PhD

Sarah Graham Kenan Professor

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Dear colleagues,

Greetings!

I have had the honour of visiting Azerbaijan on three separate occasions. On each visit I was deeply impressed by the country's continuous transformation towards becoming a modern republic.

Today Azerbaijan stands as an example of economic development and multicultural, multi-faith harmony.

The First Forum of the World Association of Azerbaijani Scientists brings together Azerbaijani scholars from around the world with leading colleagues in order to contribute to the development of science, education and the environment.

Please accept my warmest wishes for the success of the forum. I hope it will mark the beginning of many further scientific conferences and symposia initiated by Azerbaijan!

Respectfully,

Arye VARSHAVSKY

Member, National Academy of Sciences; HonFRSC; Foreign Member, Russian Academy of Sciences; Dana and David Domsife Chair in Chemistry; Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Member, USC-Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

The address was delivered by Mesud Afandiyev, Chair of the World Association of Azerbaijani Scientists.

The participants of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad have addressed an appeal to His Excellency Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

The appeal read during our scientists' visit to liberated Khankendi states:

Dear Mr President!

Our organisation, which unites Azerbaijani scientists living and working in different countries, closely follows the achievements of our homeland and rejoices at the successes of our state and people, who signed a great Victory.

Although we work outside our homeland, we always remember the immortal words of our National Leader Heydar Aliyev: 'Every corner of Azerbaijani land is dear to every Azerbaijani.' The main goal of the World Association of Azerbaijani Scientists, which brings together researchers in various fields across the world, is to contribute to the development and progress of our homeland.

Today, on the final day of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad, while we are on the sacred liberated land of Karabakh, we are pleased to convey to You and to the whole world the extraordinary happiness and pride we feel before our victorious people and its Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the defender and saviour of our homeland.

We always remember the suffering and sacrifices of our people for the liberation of every inch of our land, and we ask God for mercy for our martyrs and health for our veterans.

As Azerbaijani scientists living abroad, we assure You and, through You, the entire Azerbaijani people that we will strive diligently to contribute to the preparation and implementation of the country's strategic plans in science and technology, energy, education, healthcare, sociology and culture.

Mr President! We are forever grateful to You for leading our people to Victory as Supreme Commander-in-Chief of our glorious Armed Forces, for restoring territorial integrity and ensuring the full sovereignty of our homeland.

We are confident that under Your wise and far-sighted leadership the Republic of Azerbaijan will achieve even greater success in political, economic and scientific-cultural development, and we are ready to contribute to our common progress. We believe that our scholars, who possess modern scientific knowledge and extensive experience, love their homeland deeply and consistently support Your political course, can become Your allies in nationally significant endeavours.

Today in Khankendi each of us repeats with tears of joy the immortal words of our National Leader: 'I am proud that I am Azerbaijani. I am proud that Azerbaijan is my native land. I am proud that I belong to such a nation!'

Participants of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad

Khankendi,

11 September 2024