Western Caspian University

An international conference entitled "Mountains: Cultures, Landscapes and Biodiversity" dedicated to the 96th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev has been organized at the Western Caspian University.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University, Professor Huseyngulu Bagirov noted the invaluable role of the great leader in the history of Azerbaijan, his contribution to the establishment and strengthening of our state, as well as his work to improve the environmental situation in our country. H.Bagirov stressed the importance of the conference in terms of discussing the problems of the field with the participation of leading researchers from around the world.

The rector of the university, Professor Andris Leitas noted that all the mountainous areas of the world are affected by the exploitation of unlimited resources and the growing tourism sector. This development puts pressure on biodiversity and mountain populations. The purpose of the conference is to organize discussions of scientists, ecologists, biologists, tourism specialists and other experts interested in solving this problem in order to find new and creative solutions to these problems.

UN Resident Coordinator Gulam Isakzai, Director of the Institute of Geography of ANAS Professor Ramiz Mammadov, Member of the Royal Geographical Society of the United Kingdom, Vice President of the Commission on mountain protection of the International Climbing  and Mountaineering Federation Michael Maunsel, Member of the Commission on mountain protection of the International Climbingand Mountaineering Federation, Member of the First Albert Mountaineering Board Lode Beckers, Rosalauro Romeo, Program Manager of the Food and Agriculture Organization's Mountain Partnership Secretariat, and Michael Zukov, Founder of the “Zukov” Environmental Protection Foundation, spoke on the features of mountain landscapes, settlement conditions, problems and prospects , the importance of providing access to infrastructure, education and various services in mountainous areas, projects implemented in the field of mountain protection, etc.

Then questions were answered and opinions were exchanged on the topic.

The conference continues its work today and tomorrow.

It should be noted that the conference is attended by foreign researchers from about 40 countries, as well as local experts. The conference is held on the sessions of "Mountain Ecosystems, Ecological and Biological Diversity", "Mountain Landscapes", "Mountain Cultures", "Mountain Tourism and Recreation".