A delegation of academic staff and students from the Faculties of Geography, Ecology, and Soil Science at Baku State University (BSU) participated in the second coordination event of the project “Caucasus Geoparks Network: Possibilities for the Creation of Geoparks in Azerbaijan.” The event was held in the Shabran district and organized by the Caucasus Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations Network (CENN).

The meeting brought together various experts, including Associate Professor Tarana Aliyeva from the Department of Environmental Chemistry (Faculty of Ecology and Soil Science), Deputy Dean Goshgar Mammadov (Faculty of Geography), Senior Lecturer Vugar Dergakhov from the Department of Economic and Political Geography of Foreign Countries, Tutor Ismail Rahimli, Doctoral Student Tamerlan Mekhtiyev, and Master’s Student Imran Bayramov.

During the discussions, Vugar Dergakhov delivered a presentation on the tourism management aspects of geopark development. He highlighted the socio-economic benefits of establishing geoparks in the South Caucasus, particularly in Azerbaijan, emphasizing that in addition to conserving geological and geomorphological heritage, geoparks can significantly contribute to sustainable local development and tourism-driven employment. He stressed the importance of identifying and evaluating regions with tourism potential and advocated for the unified development, branding, and international promotion of geoparks to help showcase Azerbaijan’s geological heritage on the global stage.

Tarana Aliyeva presented findings on the ecological conditions and eco-chemical challenges of lakes in the Absheron Peninsula, as well as on the mud volcanoes of Gobustan and other regions. Her insights included results from eco-chemical studies of these unique natural sites.

As a result of the event, a decision was made to establish a working group dedicated to the development of geoparks in Azerbaijan. BSU representatives Vugar Dergakhov and Tarana Aliyeva were appointed as members of this working group.