Simultaneously with the XI Global Baku Forum, a meeting of the SDSN Black Sea Leadership Council was held in Azerbaijan
During the forum, SDSN Black Sea members discussed strategic regional cooperation between the network countries.
The SDSN Black Sea Leadership Council met during the XI Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan on March 14-16, 2024. Representatives from Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and Ukraine discussed common regional challenges, as well as the network’s strategy for 2024.
During the meeting, Professor Theodosiu, Chair of SDSN Black Sea, presented the preliminary results of the Black Sea Region Sustainability Report, based on the annual Sustainable Development Report prepared by the SDSN SDG Transformation Center, assessing the performance of countries in the region on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The importance of continuous data improvement to support this report and provide timely and accurate results was highlighted. In addition, a call was made to establish a Black Sea Observatory for Sustainable Development to optimize monitoring activities.
On March 15, a seminar on «Energy Economics and Future Prospects for Ecological Transition and Climate Change Adaptation» was held at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) in cooperation with the Black Sea Universities Network (BSUN) and SDSN Black Sea. During this event, all members of the SDSN delegation had the opportunity to present their contributions. In particular, UNEC was represented by Vice-Rector for Science, Associate Professor Fariz Ahmedov, and Vice-Rector for International Relations and Programs Neman Muradli.
The topics discussed included: «Current and Future Challenges in Energy Economics», presented by Prof. G. Zarotiadis (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), and «Stakeholder Engagement and Approaches to the Green Transition», presented by Prof. M. Stefanova (Sofiia University). Prof. Tamer Atabarut (Boğaziçi University, Istanbul) discussed Turkey’s role in a balanced and smart energy transition between Asia and Europe. In addition, Serhiy Belikov, former Rector of Zaporizhzhia National Technical University, gave a presentation demonstrating the extraordinary challenges faced in conducting teaching activities in the context of Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine.
Professor N. Mousiopoulos (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) discussed the Global Energy Solutions recommendations for a global climate-neutral energy system that creates prosperity, while Ambassador M. Christides (former Secretary General of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation – BSEC) analyzed the priorities of the energy economy, emphasizing the aspect of regional coordination. Dr. Nargiz Hajiyeva and Dr. Narmin Ibrahimova from Azerbaijan State University of Economics presented their work focused on the economic evaluation of green energy initiatives in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and on environmental and sustainable global economic improvement in Azerbaijani universities. Marta Garcia-Aro, Senior Program Manager of the Network and representative of the SDSN General Secretariat, presented the strategic directions of the SDSN work and its key programs. She also highlighted regional and international opportunities for engagement and collaboration.
The discussion was moderated by Professor Nikolaos Theodosius, Chair of SDSN Black Sea.
