Rector of Baku Engineering University (BEU) Yagub Piriyev has participated in the 7th Sustainable Development Goals Dialogue on the topic “Investing in education for the sustainable development of Azerbaijan”.

First, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva made an opening speech, stating that education is a fundamental goal. Moreover, she touched upon the Framework Document for Cooperation on Sustainable Development (2026-2030) and emphasized the support of the organization she represents to the Azerbaijani government.

Deputy Minister of Science and Education Idris Isayev mentioned that the development of education and the widespread application of innovative specialties are of strategic importance for every country, including for the sustainable development of Azerbaijan, and that investments in education are strategically result-oriented. The Deputy Minister noted that the development of education gives impetus to the development of every field and important steps are being taken by the state in this direction.

Deputy Minister of Economy Samad Bashirli and Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs Bahar Muradova spoke at the event. This was followed by the presentation of the results of the report titled “Analysis of Learning Outcomes, Disparities and Financing in the Education Sector in Azerbaijan” by UN Economist Hurshid Rustamov. 

Afterwards, a panel discussion was held on the topic. The panel was moderated by Huseyn Huseynov, Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Executive Secretary of the National Coordination Council on Sustainable Development. The discussions were attended by Ulkar Sattarova, Director of the State Agency for Science and Higher Education (EATDA), Sadig Aliyev, Chairman of the Board of the State Employment Agency, Yagub Piriyev, Rector of BEU, Kanako Mabuchi, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator Office, and Maryam Majidova, Co-founder of the "Gender Hub Azerbaijan" project. 

EATDA Director Ulkar Sattarova provided information on the international ranking indicators of Azerbaijani universities. She noted that there has been a clear upward trend in recent years.

Speaking during the discussions, BEU Rector Yagub Piriyev delivered a speech about the main goals of universities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and the functioning of education, social policy and economy as a single ecosystem for achieving sustainable development. Yagub Piriyev pointed out that the training of new competitive personnel for the development of human capital in accordance with international standards constitutes the main line of the Strategic Development Program of BEU covering 2025-2030. Furthermore, he noted the systematic activity of BEU in cooperation with the state and private sectors to train knowledgeable personnel with innovative thinking and technological skills in accordance with the requirements of the labour market. It was stated that the work carried out will provide scientific support to the development of industry and will have a long-term impact on improving the quality of human capital in Azerbaijan  

The event, which continued with a question-and-answer session, featured the presentation of the SDG Dialogue Journal, which contains a summary of the main topics discussed in previous dialogues.

Of note, the 7th Dialogue was jointly organized by the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Economy, and the UN Office in Azerbaijan.

Public Relations Department