The Academy of the State Customs Committee (ASCCA) and Baku Engineering University (BEU) jointly organized the "VIII International Scientific Conference of Young Researchers" in honor of the 101st anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev's birth.

The opening ceremony commenced after the participants laid flowers at the administrative building of BEU to pay their respects to the Great Leader. The national anthem played, and a minute of silence was observed to commemorate the National Leader and martyrs.

In his opening remarks, BEU Rector Yagub Piriyev highlighted the significance of the "VIII International Scientific Conference of Young Researchers" as an event organized within the context of the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World." The rector emphasized the importance of the conference being dedicated to the National Leader's 101st birth anniversary and praised President Ilham Aliyev's recent declaration of Karabakh, Eastern Zangezur, and Nakhchivan as green energy zones, underscoring Azerbaijan's commitment to prioritizing green energy. The rector also mentioned the upcoming COP29 scheduled for November 2024, which he considered a testament to Azerbaijan's esteemed position on the international stage.

In his concluding speech, the rector announced that nearly 700 theses and articles from nine different countries had been submitted to the international event. Out of these, 548 were selected and included in the program of the conference. Yagub Piriyev also mentioned that reports from over 35 higher educational institutions in Azerbaijan were presented at the conference. He highly appreciated the conference's significance in terms of showcasing the achievements of young researchers to the public and increasing interest in research work. Finally, he wished the participants all the best for their future endeavors.

The Head of the Academy of the State Customs Committee, Customs Service Major-General Gulu Novruzov, delivered a speech and emphasized the importance of researching the political heritage of Heydar Aliyev, the founder of Azerbaijan. He also stressed the need to focus on strengthening intellectual potential, especially after the recent victory in the Karabakh War under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev.

In his speech, G.Novruzov highlighted the heroic sacrifices of the martyrs and veterans on the battlefield, and the crucial role that higher education institutions can play in shaping the future of our nation through their work in science. He also delved into various aspects of scientific research, including conducting studies in advanced scientific fields, tracking rapidly changing scientific trends, predicting new scientific trends, and ensuring access to global scientific resources. Additionally, he offered insights into the management of artificial intelligence.

Sadig Gurbanov, the chairman of the Committee for Natural Resources, Energy, and Ecology of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan (Milli Majlis), delivered a speech highlighting the successful environmental policies implemented by the government. S.Gurbanov emphasized that one of Azerbaijan's top five national priorities for socio-economic development over the next few years is the creation of a "Country of Clean Environment and Green Growth". He drew attention to global issues such as climate change and ecological imbalance, which require international attention.

During the conference, the rector of Mingachevir State University (MSU), Shahin Bayramov, highlighted the exceptional services of the national leader Haydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev in the development of science and education in Azerbaijan. He discussed the steps taken in recent years towards sustainable development in the areas covered by the conference, as well as the important missions and tasks facing higher education institutions.

Following the speeches, scientific reports were presented at the plenary session and certificates were awarded to the speakers. It is worth noting that young researchers gave reports in sections on the main directions during the two-day conference.