The first general assembly of the Association of Azerbaijani Scientists (AAST), operating in Türkiye, was held in Istanbul. The meeting was organized jointly by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, the Federation of Turkish-Azerbaijani Associations (TADEF) and AAST.

Before the meeting, participants visited the statue of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the founder of modern Azerbaijan, located in Heydar Aliyev Park in Istanbul's Sariyer district, and laid wreaths at the monument.

The event began with the playing of the National Anthems of Azerbaijan and Türkiye, followed by a moment of silence to honor the memory of martyrs. A video presentation about the 29th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), successfully held in Baku, and the speech of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, was shown at the Leaders' Summit.

The assembly featured speeches by the First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora Valeh Hajiyev, deputy of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) and Head of the Türkiye-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group Şamil Ayrim, Rector of Baku State University Elchin Babayev, Rector of Azerbaijan Technical University Vilayat Valiyev, Rector of Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction Gulchohra Mammadova, Rector of Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University Jafar Jafarov, Educational Advisor of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Türkiye, Associate Professor Najiba Nasibova, Head of the International Cooperation Department of the State Agency for Science and Higher Education under the Ministry of Science and Education Mujdat Hasanov, Vice-Rector of Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) Rovnag Rzayev, Head of the Science Department of Karabakh University Elchin Ibrahimov, Head of TADEF Adalet Turan, and Chairman of AAST and Professor of Bilkent University Amirulla Mammadov.

The speakers highlighted the positive impacts of scientists from various countries joining this association on AAST’s future activities. They emphasized the pride in having Azerbaijani scientists, cultural figures, and medical professionals recognized globally for their achievements with their first academic foundation being rooted in Azerbaijan.

Addressing Azerbaijan's struggle for territorial integrity over the last 30 years, the speakers proudly recalled the glorious victory achieved in the 44-day Patriotic War. They noted Azerbaijan's ability to host COP29 at the highest level despite attempts by hostile forces to hinder the event, demonstrating the country’s political, cultural, and humanitarian strength. They also stressed Azerbaijan’s success in the information war.

During the two-day assembly, elections were held to form AAST’s governing board and other structural divisions. Topics such as organizing one of the next meetings by Baku State University, fostering cooperation between scientists and Azerbaijani higher education institutions, and planning joint seminars and projects were discussed. A formal appeal was adopted by AAST to Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

It should be noted that AAST was established in April this year in Istanbul. The association's primary goal is to contribute to Azerbaijan’s development processes, particularly in science and education, following the Karabakh Victory. AAST also aims to create a knowledge bank to support Azerbaijani students pursuing master's or doctoral studies abroad, facilitate closer interaction between Azerbaijani youth and scientists living abroad, and enable them to benefit from their knowledge and expertise.