On February 24, at the Presidium of ANAS, Acting President of ANAS, academician Arif Hashimov met with representatives of the Network of National Coordinators for the European Commission's Horizon Research and Innovation Program

The meeting was attended by the coordinator of the NNC, Vice-President of ANAS, academician Ibrahim Guliyev, Head of the Department of International Scientific Cooperation of the Office of the Presidium of ANAS, Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, Associate Professor Esmira Alirzayeva, Head of the Scientific and Organizational Department, Doctor of Philosophy in Physics, Associate Professor Rustam Rustamov, as well as newly elected NNC members from various state organizations of Azerbaijan, scientific institutions, educational and health institutions.

The event was opened by the head of the Department of International Scientific Cooperation of the Office of the Presidium of ANAS, Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, Associate Professor Esmira Alirzayeva. She informed about the activities of the NNC, which is working to organize the communication of information about the program to relevant enterprises, organizations and specialists throughout the country, as well as about the activities carried out within the framework of the European Commission's Horizon Europe program, about problems and future programs.

E.Alirzayeva spoke about the requirements of the European Commission before the NNC. She noted that the network with high professionalism provides support to relevant enterprises and individuals, timely informing researchers, business people, regardless of the field of activity, covering all areas of the network's activities, providing access to the NNC, conducting trainings on specific topics for target groups, etc. tasks.

She brought to attention statistical data on the participation of the Eastern Partnership countries in Horizon 2020. Speaking about the work done by COST members in Azerbaijan in this direction, the head of the Department noted that for this purpose, informational seminars and webinars on the Horizon 2020 appeal were held for scientists and specialists of science, education and healthcare institutions of Azerbaijan, as well as state organizations, and information about the COST and Maria Sklodovskaya-Curie programs was regularly presented in the media.

E.Alirzayeva also spoke about the priority areas and allocated financial opportunities of the new Horizon Europe framework program. The speaker spoke about Israel's successful experience in this area, as well as the experience of leading organizations.

Speaking at the event, the seminar members brought to attention the results of their activities and the problems they have faced in recent years. Proposals were also put forward to increase the activity of participation in the program, the correct organization of campaigning work and discussions were held.

At the meeting, extensive presentations were made about the opportunities created for Azerbaijani scientists within the framework of Horizon Europe: national coordinator for Climate, Energy and Mobility, Leading Researcher at the Institute of Geography named after academician Hasan Aliyev of ANAS, Doctor of Philosophy in Geography Rovshan Kerimov, national coordinator for the activities of the Center for European Studies and COST, Director of the Quality Assurance Department of the Agency for Quality Assurance in Education under the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Gumbatov and the national coordinator for the activities of Marie-Sklodowska Curie, Executive Director of the Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography and Anthropology, PhD in History, Associate Professor Zaur Hasanov.

In conclusion, academician Arif Hashimov voiced proposals for the preparation of an action plan to increase the percentage of use by scientists and specialists of Azerbaijan of the wide opportunities of the Horizon Europe program, systematization of the activities of the members of the National Assembly in this direction, as well as expanding ties with partner organizations in priority areas. He stressed the importance of holding regular meetings and discussions with the NNC members.