Within the framework of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program of the Asian Development Bank, of which Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU) is a partner, the next regional seminar on “Climate-adapted agriculture in the CAREC region” was held at the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University named after K. I. Skryabin in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in connection with the regional technical assistance project “Strengthening Green Skills Development”.

The seminar was attended by Wageningen University of the Netherlands and leading agrarian and technical universities of CAREC program member countries. AzTU, the only higher education institution in Azerbaijan, was represented at the event by its Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Professor Nurali Yusifbeyli, and Head of the Department of Digital Economy and Financial Technologies, Jeyhun Hajiyev.

Vice-Rector of AzTU Nurali Yusifbeyli noted the importance of engineering and digital transformation in building sustainable agriculture in line with climate change, and drew attention to the important role of technical universities in this area.

Jeyhun Hajiyev, Head of the Department of Digital Economy and Financial Technologies, delivered a report on the topic of “Just Transition”. In his report, he emphasized the importance of careful study of social justice, community preparation, risk management and green economy transformation in the adaptation of agriculture to climate change by higher education institutions and their support to industry and the public in these areas. He also shared AzTU’s experience in relevant areas with the participants.

A partnership agreement was also signed within the framework of the event between the higher education institutions participating in the project, the Asian Development Bank and Wageningen University.

The agreement envisages academic cooperation, research projects and the creation of new educational programs for the development of climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture in the CAREC region.