The 9th International Conference “Photosynthesis and Hydrogen Energy Research for Sustainability” dedicated to the 90th anniversary of academician Jalal Aliyev started on December 17 at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. The conference was jointly organized by the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, International Society of Photosynthesis Research and Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan. Scientists from Russia, The Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Turkey, Iran and other countries took part in the conference, along with Azerbaijani scientists.

Before the opening ceremony, the conference participants laid flowers and wreath at the grave of J.Aliyev at the Alley of Honor to commemorate the outstanding scientist. The president of ANAS, academic Akif Alizadeh, Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences of ANAS, academic Ahliman Amiraslanov, Vice-president of ANAS, director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, Academician Irada Huseynova spoke on the organization of new, fundamental scientific researches by J.Aliyev directed mainly to providing food security of our country, his unprecedented contributions to the development of Azerbaijan science, his positive personal qualities, his role in solving actual problems and comprehensive investigation of the photosynthetic process. Professor Julian Eaton-Rye, secretary of the International Society of Photosynthesis Research spoke on “JalalAliyev’s contributions to the World Science of Photosynthesis”. Thenthe award established by the International Society of Photosynthesis Research, named after academician Jalal Aliyev was personally presented by the Secretary of the Society professor Julian Eaton-Rye to professor Jian-Ren Shen from the Research Institute of the University of Okayama for his great achievements in the research of photosynthesis. Professor Julian Eaton-Rye noted that the establishment of this award means the worldwide recognition of Jalal Aliyev’s contributions to biology. Then other participants of the conference shared their memories about Jalal Aliyev.At the end of the morning session of the conference, the short film "Science is Truth" dedicated to Jalal Aliyev was demonstrated.

            The afternoon session of the International conference took place at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, ANAS. "Academician Jalal Aliyevreadings" dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the outstanding scientist was held. The Secretary of the International Society of Photosynthesis Research professor Julian Eaton-Rye, the first nominee of  Jalal Aliyev Lecture Scholarship Award-Jian-Ren Shenand Dr. Ahmad Kheyr-Pour from the French National Institute for Agricultural Research were among the participants of the conference. Director of the Institute, academician IradaHuseynova welcomed the participants and gave a brief information on scientific activity and great achievements of Professor Jian-Ren Shen. The Japanese guest noted that he was honored to receive the award named after Jalal Aliyev, and expressed his gratitude for having been invited to this prestigious event. Then professor Jian-Ren Shen gave a presentation on the theme “Structural biological studies of photosynthetic membrane protein complexes”. The lecture was met with great interest and a detailed discussion was held on the theme.