A roundtable dedicated to various directions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)—was held at Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU).
Along with university staff and students, the event was attended by Professor Elshad Mammadov, Chairman of the Public Council under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, and Aslan Azimzade, member of the council and economic expert.
Mehti Namazov, an employee of the university’s Communication Department, stated that AzTU implements various initiatives to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through innovation, education, and scientific research. He noted that these activities promote social responsibility and the principles of sustainable development within the university.
Speaking afterwards, economic expert Aslan Azimzade emphasized that SDG 1, SDG 2, and SDG 8 are closely interconnected. According to him, one of the key conditions for reducing poverty and ensuring food security is the formation of sustainable and inclusive economic growth. He highlighted that investments directed toward the real sector of the economy contribute significantly to increasing productivity in agriculture and manufacturing, creating new jobs, and improving social welfare.
During the roundtable, extensive discussions were held among participants. The discussions highlighted the role of higher education institutions in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the importance of preparing specialists in line with labor market demands, and the necessity of actively involving young people in economic development processes. It was noted that universities should not limit their role to providing education alone. Higher education institutions should also serve as platforms that foster innovative ideas, promote entrepreneurship, and contribute to solving social problems.
Students’ questions were also addressed during the event, and opinions were exchanged particularly on increasing youth employment opportunities, encouraging startup activities, and the role of innovation in economic development.
At the end of the event, participants emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among government institutions, academia, and society in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
