The Opening Ceremony of the International Conference “The Role of Universities in Green Energy and Sustainability” was held at ADA University

The opening ceremony of the international conference “The Role of Universities in Green Energy and Sustainability” was held on December 2, organized by ADA University as the Chair of Coordination Council of CICA Partnership Network of Leading Universities (PNLU).

Organized in partnership with ADA University, Institute for Development and Diplomacy (IDD), Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and CICA Secretariat, the conference brought together more than 50 professors, researchers, experts, and university representatives from 21 member countries, including host country -  Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

The two-day conference will focus on topics such as the role of universities in driving energy efficiency, sustainable practices, and green technologies deployment, regional collaboration on green energy and sustainability, technological innovations in renewable energy and energy efficiency, promoting research, and providing evidence-based recommendations. The event also serves as a platform for discussing new partnership initiatives among the participating universities and laying the foundations for joint projects within CICA.

The opening ceremony started with welcome remarks by Dr. Fariz Ismailzade, Vice-Rector of ADA University, Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Zhang Ling, Deputy Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), and Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Lead Negotiator for COP29 Azerbaijan. The speeches highlighted the growing role of universities in climate change, the importance of regional solidarity, and the achievements made within the framework of COP29. 

In the first panel of the program, dedicated to the topic of “Impact of Higher Education on Green Energy and Sustainability,” panelists and discussants from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Jordan, China, and Vietnam exchanged views on the role of higher education institutions in the field of green energy, sustainable development strategies, and opportunities for regional cooperation.  

The research project jointly implemented by the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons of the Republic of Azerbaijan and ADA University since September 2025 was presented within the panel titled “Green and Sustainable Rebuilding: The Case of Azerbaijan.” Based on the survey conducted with former internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Aghdam, Fuzuli, Shusha, and Zangilan, the project showcased their social-economic needs, recommendations for sustainable development, innovative approaches, and future perspectives.

During the panel, Shamkhal Mukhtarov, Leading Consultant, Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, and Nargiz Garajayeva, Senior Advisor, Special Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts, delivered remarks. They provided information on the ongoing efforts toward sustainable development in the liberated territories, including the implementation of the smart village concepts.