Representatives of the Institute of Geography Participate in the Mingachevir Stage of the VIII Eurasian International Conference (RISK-2026)

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INSTITUTE OF GEOGRAPHY PARTICIPATE IN THE MINGACHEVIR STAGE OF THE VIII EURASIAN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (RISK-2026)

26 October 2026

On October 23, 2026, scientific events continued in Mingachevir as part of the VIII Eurasian International Conference on “Cascade Accident Risks in Earth Dams” (RISK-2026). The leadership and scientific staff of the Institute of Geography of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan participated in the second day of the conference.

Held on October 22–24 in Baku and Mingachevir, the international conference was jointly organized by Mingachevir State University and the Institute of Geography, with the partnership of AMIR Technical Services, the European Safety and Reliability Association (ESRA), Tbilisi State University of Georgia, the South-East Asia Institute of Water Resources and Environment of Vietnam, the Polytechnic University of Milan in Italy, and the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID).

Bringing together scientists and researchers from 16 countries and featuring a total of 110 scientific research papers, the conference served as an international platform for discussing scientific approaches to the sustainable management of water resources, the safety of hydraulic structures, the assessment of environmental and socio-economic risks arising from climate change, and the prevention of natural disasters.

At the events held in Mingachevir, Acting Director of the Institute of Geography of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Doctor of Geographical Sciences and Associate Professor Zaur Imrani, Rector of Mingachevir State University and Associate Professor Anar Eminov, and Director of “Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant” LLC Tahmasib Huseynov delivered speeches. Their presentations focused on the safety of water and energy infrastructure, the assessment of risks arising in the context of climate change, the practical significance of scientific research, and the expansion of international cooperation.

As part of the event, a panel discussion entitled “The Future of Water Security in Mingachevir” was held. Zaur Imrani, Director of the Institute of Geography, participated in the discussion on the efficient management of water resources, the reliability of hydraulic structures, the reduction of environmental risks, and the role of scientific research in ensuring water security. Participants exchanged views on the current state and future prospects of regional water security.

The scientific programme also featured research co-authored by staff members of the Institute of Geography. The studies addressed pressing issues, including the impact of regional climate change in Azerbaijan on the flow of the Kura River, the role of hydrothermal factors in the formation of radiation and energy resources, the assessment of potential biomass productivity, and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Presentations delivered during the conference's scientific sessions covered a range of topics, including flood hazard assessment in the Kura–Aras basin, cascade accident risk modelling in reservoirs, the impact of climate change on hydrological systems, the application of geographic information systems and remote sensing technologies, and the improvement of early warning mechanisms based on artificial intelligence.

A South Caucasus seminar of the European Safety and Reliability Association was also organized within the framework of the conference. Dedicated to “Assessment and Modelling of Cascade Dam Failure Risks in the Kura River Basin,” the seminar addressed ways to improve the safety of hydraulic infrastructure, identify risks in advance, and apply modern modelling technologies.

The Institute of Geography's involvement in organizing the international conference and participating in its scientific programme was significant in presenting its research in water resources, climate change, hydrological safety, and sustainable development to the international scientific community.

The event also created opportunities to expand the Institute's ties with foreign research institutions, exchange scientific expertise, develop joint research initiatives, and strengthen cooperation aimed at addressing regional environmental challenges.

It should be noted that 45 selected papers that successfully pass expert evaluation from among the studies presented at the conference are expected to be published in journals indexed in the international Scopus database.