On April 25, a scientific conference dedicated to the 101st anniversary of the birth of outstanding ophthalmologist scientist academician Zarifa Aliyeva and the “Green World Solidarity Year” was held on the topic "Our green world in the light of science that gives light to the eyes" jointly organized by the Women's Council of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the Ministry of Science and Education, was held in the assembly hall of IMBB.

The event was attended by the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbayli, Vice-President of ANAS, General Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Academician Irada Huseynova, Chairman of the Women's Council of ANAS, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor Rena Mirzazade, scientists of the Division of Biological and Medical Sciences, representatives of scientific institutions and organizations of ANAS, as well as members of the Women's Council and relevant persons.

Opening the conference with an opening speech, the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbayli said that in 2023, in honor of the 100th anniversary of Academician Zarifa Aliyeva, with the joint organization of the Presidium of ANAS, the Division of Biological and Medical Sciences and the Ministry of Health and with the participation of the country's public a series of conferences dedicated to the prominent ophthalmologist were held, and numerous publications were published. The academician noted that during these events and in monographic studies, the exceptional merits of academician Zarifa Aliyeva were again presented to the Azerbaijani society and the world scientific community. In addition, according to the ANAS Action Plan, the Central Scientific Library prepared a bibliography of academician Zarifa Aliyeva, and also published a special issue of the journal of the Division of Biological and Medical Sciences “Life Sciences and Biomedicine”, dedicated to the outstanding scientist.

Academician Isa Habibbayli said that the Institute of Physiology named after academician A.Garayev, in which the laboratory created and led by the outstanding ophthalmologist functions, was particularly active in holding anniversary events on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of Zarifa Aliyeva, and emphasized that events dedicated to the academician were also held in institutions of the Divisions of humanities and social sciences of ANAS.

The head of the Academy of Sciences noted that in addition to scientific and social activities, Zarifa Aliyeva was a faithful and reliable life partner of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, a woman who gave the Azerbaijani people one of the world leaders of the 21st century - President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, who brought brilliant victories to our people and completely restored territorial integrity. Academician Isa Habibbayli emphasized that the holding of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku in November 2024 is evidence of recognition of the authority of Azerbaijan and the personal authority of its leader by the world community, and the basis of this success is the wisdom of the Great Leader and Zarifa Khanum, who raised such a Leader as President Ilham Aliyev.

Academician Isa Habibbayli noted that Zarifa khanum conducted important research on restoring vision, became a light for the eyes of the Azerbaijani people, and her research is fully corresponds to the “Green World Solidarity Year” declared by the head of the country in our country and our green world.

Vice-President of ANAS, General Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, academician Irada Huseynova, in her speech, noted that today’s event is dedicated to two important events - the “Green World Solidarity Year” declared by the Presidential Decree, and the 101^st anniversary of birth of a great personality, an outstanding scientist who made a significant contribution to the development of world ophthalmology and inscribed her name in the history of Azerbaijan of the twentieth century in golden letters, Honored Scientist Academician Zarifa Aliyeva.

The speaker noted that academician Zarifa Aliyeva, born in the family of an honored doctor, Professor Aziz Aliyev, was a life partner and ally of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, a mother who played a decisive role in developing the personality of the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, who achieved the establishment of sovereignty on every inch territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a luminary of science who laid the foundations of ophthalmology in Azerbaijan, and a compassionate doctor, a brilliant personality, whose deeds honor the title of a person.

Academician Irada Huseynova, who drew attention to some aspects of Zarifa khanum’s attitude to the environment and the green world, noted that, starting from the Great Leader’s coming to power, the scientist wholeheartedly supported his environmental policy, promoted the importance of creating and expanding new green areas, laying parks and forests, and showed personal initiative in implementing relevant activities in this area.

Academician Irada Huseynova emphasized: “Zarifa khanum paid great attention to the prevention of eye diseases and the impact of environmental factors on the organ of vision. She knew that human health is closely related to its environment; in some cases, improving the environment plays an important and sometimes decisive role in the prevention of diseases. Zarifa khanum insisted on compliance with her recommendations on reducing harmful waste from industrial enterprises and reducing the use of pesticides in agriculture, on planting green areas in the vicinity of factories, and she and her husband took an active part in tree planting campaigns, thereby setting an example for people”.

The academician noted that the honorable work of Zarifa Aliyeva, who left a deep mark in the hearts of people and in the history of the country, in the fields of science, education and healthcare, is successfully continued today by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, on whose initiative numerous measures are being implemented to protect biodiversity, restore rare and endangered species of animals and plants, tree planting campaigns, etc. The project “A Tree Per Person” initiated by her, as well as the planting of 650,000 trees in 1 day on the occasion of the 650th anniversary of Imadaddin Nasimi, received recognition in our country and the world.

Then the acting vice-president of ANAS, academician Govhar Bakhshaliyeva, spoke, noting that Zarifa khanum was an ideal life partner and mother, with her professional scientific and medical activities she restored sight and gave light to many fellow citizens. She noted that the National Leader always supported Zarifa Aliyeva in her development as a highly qualified ophthalmologist.

In her speech, the Chairman of the Council of Women of ANAS, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor Rena Mirzazade noted that Zarifa Khanum was an outstanding scientist and a simple, modest person, her fate is connected with three great statesmen: she was the daughter of an honored doctor, Professor Aziz Aliyev, the life partner of a national leader Heydar Aliyev and mother of President Ilham Aliyev. She noted that Zarifa Aliyeva, who gave light and healing to the eyes of people, through her scientific activities and fulfillment of the mission of a wife and mother, is an example for every Azerbaijani woman.

After the opening speeches, a film dedicated to academician Zarifa Aliyeva was shown.

At the event, reports were also heard from the General Director of the Institute of Physiology named after Academician Abdulla Garayev of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Ulduz Gashimova on the topic «Ideas of Academician Zarifa Aliyeva from the point of view of the challenges of the modern world», the General Director of the Institute of Botany of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Sayyara Ibadullayeva on the topic «Green Cities and Human Health», the Head of the «Fizuli Studies» sector of the Institute of Literature named after Nizami Ganjavi of ANAS, Doctor of Philology, Associate Professor Ataami Mirzayev on the topic «Bahariyas in Classical Literature», a member of the NAP Veterans Council, a member of the Board of the Women’s Council of ANAS, a communist doctor Zarifa Guliyeva on the topic «Academician Zarifa Aliyeva in memories: sensitive attitude to nature», a researcher at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of ANAS Vusala Gulmaliyeva on the topic «Academician Zarifa Aliyeva: the mission of a citizen guarding people’s health», a researcher at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of ANAS Vusala Gyulmaliyeva on the topic «Academician Zarifa Aliyeva: the mission of a citizen who guards people's health», the Chairman of the Women's Council of the Institute of Folklore of ANAS, Doctor of Philosophy in Philology, Associate Professor Aynur Ibragimova on the topic «Turkic Thinking and Eco-Folklore», the leading researcher at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Doctor of Philosophy in Biology Samra Mirzayeva on the topic «Youth are the bearer of the mission for the development of science and the policy of “green growth”».

After the conference, Vice-President of ANAS, academician Irada Huseynova visited the grave of the outstanding ophthalmologist scientist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva on the Alley of Honor.

Academician Irada Huseynova laid flowers at the grave of academician Zarifa Aliyeva, the devoted wife and faithful ally of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, the mother of the victorious President Ilham Aliyev, an outstanding ophthalmologist, and paid tribute to her blessed memory.

Academician Irada Huseynova visited the grave of the national leader of our people, Heydar Aliyev, and laid flowers at it.