The opening ceremony of the conference, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, was held in the Botanical Garden through a collaborative initiative involving various stakeholders including the Authorized Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State University of Nakhchivan, the Institute of Botany of the Ministry of Science and Education, and the Public Union of the Society of Botanists of Azerbaijan. Elbrus Isayev, the esteemed rector of the academic institution, delivered welcoming remarks to the distinguished guests and attendees, emphasizing the significance of the year 2024 for Azerbaijan, highlighted by the upcoming COP29 summit and underscored by President Ilham Aliyev's declaration of 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World." Isayev articulated the potential transformative impact of hosting COP29 in Azerbaijan, envisioning substantial socio-economic and touristic benefits alongside its diplomatic implications. He further underscored the university's proactive engagement with the thematic imperatives of the "Year of Solidarity for the Green World" and COP29, exemplified by the forthcoming scientific-practical conference titled "New Challenges in Ensuring the Sustainability of Biodiversity (COP29) - Green World and Human Health," aimed at catalyzing national policy initiatives aligned with global environmental imperatives. Professor Sayyara Ibadullayeva, Director General of the Institute of Botany, elucidated Azerbaijan's environmental stewardship, tracing its historical trajectory and reaffirming the nation's commitment to preserving its ecological heritage through systematic conservation efforts and afforestation initiatives. Acknowledging the pressing need for biodiversity conservation in the 21st century, Ibadullayeva positioned the scientific-practical conference as a platform for innovative solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration. Distinguished scholars, including Professor Tariyel Talybov, Corresponding Member of ANAS, Professor Ibrahim Jafarov, Director of the Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Technical Plants, Professor Eldar Novruzov, Vice-Rector Elsever Asadov of Nakhchivan State University, and esteemed faculty members Ismayil Mammadov and Samira Bagirova, contributed their expertise to enrich the scholarly discourse. The conference attendees had the opportunity to explore a curated exhibition of botanical literature provided by the Institute of Botany, followed by the formalization of a memorandum of joint cooperation between Nakhchivan State University and the Botany Institute, outlining collaborative efforts in scientific research, capacity-building, and curriculum development, thereby reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between academia and research institutions in advancing botanical sciences. The plenary session concluded with a melodious performance by the "Harmoniya" ensemble from NSU Music College, adding a cultural dimension to the event. The conference, comprising eight thematic sections over two days, promises to facilitate scholarly exchange and collaborative inquiry, fostering collective endeavors toward a sustainable and resilient future.
