Azerbaijani universities advance sustainable development goals

During the ‘GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings 2026 Results & Ceremony’, Deputy Minister of Science and Education Hasan Hasanli highlighted the increasing activity of Azerbaijani universities regarding sustainable development. He noted that 19 higher education institutions from Azerbaijan are now included in the UI GreenMetric rankings, serving as an indicator of progress toward international standards.

Hasanli emphasized the need to cultivate a new generation capable of adapting to changes, citing the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University as a successful example of institutional adaptability. He also linked the country’s hosting of COP29 to the heightened focus on sustainable development agendas within the national university system.

In a related panel discussion titled ‘Greening higher education: strategies, challenges and opportunities for sustainable universities’, held at the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, academic leaders discussed the role of universities in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. Participants included Baku State University Rector Elchin Babayev alongside representatives from Abu Dhabi University, BINUS University, and Northumbria University. The discussion focused on campus ecological resilience, climate change mitigation, and the importance of international partnerships in driving green transformation within higher education.