The closing ceremony of the international scientific symposium entitled “Ecological, Biological, and Medical Aspects of Urban Planning: A Sustainable and Healthy Urban Environment” dedicated to the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture” was held at the Institute of Molecular Biology under the Ministry of Science and Education.

Speaking at the event, Academician, Vice-President of ANAS and acting Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology Irada Huseynova mentioned that, by a relevant Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2026 had been declared the “Year of Urban Planning and Architecture” in the country and also highlighted the successful organization of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku.

Academician Irada Huseynova stated that the two-day international scientific symposium, jointly organized by the Institute of Molecular Biology and the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences of ANAS addressed issues of significant scientific and public importance that are highly relevant in the modern era. Extensive discussions were held on the ecological and biological characteristics of the urban environment, factors affecting human health, biodiversity conservation, biosafety, and other relevant topics within the framework of the symposium.

Irada Huseynova noted in her speech that Academician Jalal Aliyev had made exceptional contributions to the development of the scientific activities of the Institute of Molecular Biology. In addition to initiating and founding the Institute, he made fundamental contributions to the development of several important fields of modern biology in Azerbaijan. A number of issues related to the environment, plant biology, biodiversity, the effects of ecological factors on living organisms, and human life quality which were raised by Academician Jalal Aliyev as scientific problems as early as the second half of the last century remain highly relevant to this day. The systematic continuation of fundamental and applied researches in these fields by the representatives of his great scientific school which he established has become an important scientific tradition.

The academic emphasized that several issues discussed at the symposium have deep scientific roots in Azerbaijan and that Academician Jalal Aliyev and his scientific school were the first to investigate these issues in the country from different perspectives. To develop this scientific legacy in the context of modern challenges and to expand research through new methods and approaches are among the key priorities of the Institute of Molecular Biology.

Irada Huseynova stated that in the face of today's global challenges achieving sustainable development requires prioritizing the preservation of ecological balance, the efficient use of natural resources, environmental improvement and the protection of human health. Azerbaijan’s green development and green energy policies together with the implementation of modern urban planning concepts and the “Smart City” and “Smart Village” models create new opportunities while also presenting important scientific and practical challenges. Emphasizing the crucial role of science, innovative approaches and multidisciplinary research in achieving these goals, the academic highlighted the importance of integrating scientific findings into practical applications.

Irada Huseynova mentioned that the symposium’s panel sessions featured presentations on various aspects of flora and fauna, biosafety, microbiology and current issues in medicine. According to her speech these areas are essential to study the ecological and biological characteristics of urban environments, to protect biodiversity, to assess potential biological risks and to identify factors that affect public health. These issues require continued scientific research, systematic analysis of findings and appropriate monitoring to identify potential risks in a timely manner.

The academic mentioned that the international scientific symposium held as part of the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture provided an important platform to examine and to discuss the ecological and biological characteristics of urban environments, factors affecting human health and ways to create healthy and sustainable urban spaces. She emphasized the importance of incorporating the scientific approaches and issues discussed at the symposium into future research and exploring ways to apply the findings in practice.

Irada Huseynova noted that more than 110 scientific papers had been submitted to the symposium and highlighted the importance of participation by scientists and researchers from different countries in bringing diverse scientific perspectives to the issues discussed and strengthening international research cooperation.

At the end of her speech Academician Irada Huseynova thanked the participants of the international scientific symposium, the members of the organizing and scientific committees and everyone who contributed to the successful organization of the event.

Members of the symposium’s scientific and organizing committee, including ANAS Corresponding Member Panah Muradov, Doctor of Biological Sciences Karim Gasimov, Professor Konul Bakhshaliyeva, Associate Professors Afiq Mammadov and Ulduza Gurbanova, as well as executive secretaries Dr. Durna Aliyeva and PhD in Biology Aytan Agayeva emphasized the scientific and practical significance of the current issues discussed and the challenges raised at the international symposium for our country. The speakers also thanked ANAS Vice-President Academician Irada Huseynova for organizing the symposium at a high scientific level, providing an opportunity for in-depth discussions of current scientific issues and supporting the event.

At the end of the event Academician Irada Huseynova congratulated the institute’s staff on 18 October, the Day of Restoration of Independence, and expressed her wishes for the continued protection of Azerbaijan’s state independence, the further strengthening of the country’s sovereignty and the enduring and unwavering nature of its independence.