The international conference on “Challenges in Energy, Food, Environment, and Climate Security,” jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Science and Education Development Agency, and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of the Ministry of Science and Education, was successfully held on October 15–17, 2025, at a high scientific and organizational level. The event, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, became an important platform for scientific dialogue addressing global challenges.

At the closing ceremony, the Vice-President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Director General of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, and Chair of the Conference, Academician Irada Huseynova, highly evaluated the outcomes of the event, stating that “this conference was not only significant for the sharing of scientific results but also crucial for establishing new bridges of cooperation.”

 During the three-day scientific forum, global challenges such as efficient energy use, food and nutrition security, environmental protection, and combating climate change were discussed based on modern scientific approaches. Presentations delivered at the plenary sessions on topics including the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, the potential of renewable energy sources, the “Green Revolution” and the “Genomic Revolution,” biomaterials and nanomaterials, epigenetics, and the integration of digital technologies into agricultural and environmental research further demonstrated the multidisciplinary nature of contemporary science. During the sectional sessions, 49 scientific presentations were delivered, and numerous posters reflecting significant scientific findings were exhibited. All of these highlight the conference’s role as a broad platform for interdisciplinary and multifaceted scientific discussions.

Within the framework of the event, the “Jalal Aliyev’s Lectures” were distinguished for their unique scientific and moral significance. The presentation by Professor Byeong-ha Lee from Soogang University, Korea, on “Strategies to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in plants” attracted great interest and opened new prospects for collaborative research. This important scientific event, held every two years, once again demonstrated how the rich scientific heritage and vision of the prominent scientist, Academician Jalal Aliyev, resonate organically with contemporary science. Emphasizing that the event was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the ANAS, Academician Irada Huseynova noted that the high-level celebration of this milestone, as decreed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, once again confirmed ANAS’s indispensable role in the organization, management, and development of science in the country, as well as in shaping our national intellectual potential. She added that this anniversary reflects both the institutional and moral stability of national science and the state’s support for scientific activity.

Highlighting that the conference had become an important platform for shaping future-oriented strategic visions, the speaker stated: “The discussions held here demonstrated that addressing global challenges such as climate change, the energy crisis, and bio and food security is only possible through synergistic and multidisciplinary approaches. In this regard, the integration of engineering and biotechnology, chemistry and biochemistry, environmental and agricultural sciences, as well as environmental and biomedical fields, is essential. The active participation of young scientists and their interest in joining international research networks can be particularly noted as a gratifying development. This represents the most important guarantee for the sustainable advancement of science.”

At the conclusion of her speech, the Chair of the Conference expressed her sincere gratitude to all participants, organizers, presenters, and young scientists. She conveyed her confidence that the outcomes of the conference would be realized, that the ideas presented would lead to new projects, and that international scientific collaborations would be further strengthened.

Then, at the closing ceremony, Professor Tahir Tahirov from the University of Nebraska, Professor and Corresponding Member of ANAS Tarlan Mammadov from Akdeniz University, Turkey, Professor Ali Naz from Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Germany, Professor Byeong-ha Lee, Head of the Plant Gene Regulation Laboratory at Soogang University, Korea, Professor Levent Çavaş from Dokuz Eylül University, Turkey, Professor Aamir Ahmad from the Translational Research Institute, Qatar, Professor Aziz Eftekhari from Ege University, Turkey, Dr. Yashar Feyziyev, Head of Laboratory at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of MSE RA, and Professor Shahlo Miralimova, Director of the Institute of Microbiology at the National Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan emphasized that the conference was held at a high level, created new opportunities for international multidisciplinary collaboration in relevant fields, expressed their satisfaction in participating, and extended their sincere thanks to the organizers.

Within the framework of the event, a signing ceremony was held for a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies of MSE RA and the Institute of Microbiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. Academician Irada Huseynova and Professor Shahlo Miralimova signed the document in the presence of the conference participants.

Following this, Academician Irada Huseynova presented gifts to the foreign invited speakers as mementos of Baku and the conference.

The international conference was officially concluded with a group photo of the participants at the closing ceremony.