Partners of REFRESH project launched another green initiative by establishing Ganja Green Economy Forum (GGEF)

Partners of REFRESH project, namely, Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), Ganja State University (GSU), Mingachevir State University (MSU), Azerbaijan University of Technology (ATU) as well as Azerbaijan State Agrarian University (ASAU) launched another green initiative by establishing Ganja Green Economy Forum (GGEF). Universities signed Memorandum of Understanding to establish Ganja Green Economy Forum (GGEF), which was held an on 5 March 2024. Rector of Ganja State University, Yusif Yusibov, had an opening speech and emphasized the importance of the forum. The rector also talked about the other ongoing green economy related projects in Azerbaijan, one of which is REFRESH project coordinated by UNEC. He explained that the purpose of REFRESH project is advancing green and sustainable economic development in Azerbaijani universities. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ilhama Gadimova, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Vugar Karimov, Chief Advisor of the Secretariat of the First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadov, Head of the Department for Sustainable Development and Social Policy of the Ministry of Economy Huseyn Huseynov, Rector of UNEC Adalat Muradov, Rector of ASAU Zafar Gurbanov, Rector of MSU Shahin Bayramov and Acting Rector of ATU Yashar Omarov delivered speeches and supported the initiative of establishing GGEF. Representatives of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the Ministry of Energy and the State Tourism Agency also participated in the online meeting. Moderated by Elmar Mammadov, the online meeting discussed the main goals of GGEF on contribution to studying global best practices related to tackling climate change and promoting green transition, including just green transition and integrity of the trio “green growth – green economy – sustainable development”, as well as development of national human capital, promotion of scientific research by faculty and students of these universities, creation of green start-ups, development of national green economic sectors, promotion of public-private “green” partnerships, development of international green cooperation and particularly, exploration of special green transition way for national economy. Then, the rectors of five universities with a total number of nearly 40.000 students signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of GGEF. The first edition of GGEF will be organized by GSU in Ganja on 5-7 June 2024 within the year of COP29. The publication of the Green Development News Bulletin is also planned by founding universities.