Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 5th International Conference on Research in Agricultural and Food Technologies (I-CRAFT 2025), which will take place on October 20–23, 2025 at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Ganja. This event, jointly organized by Azerbaijan State Agricultural University and Çukurova University, is held within the framework of our nation’s “Azerbaijan 2030” and “2022–2026 Socio-Economic Development Strategy” Presidential Decrees, and reflects our commitment to the five National Priorities that guide sustainable growth, social inclusivity, human capital development, the Great Return to liberated territories, and green growth.

Over four days, leading scholars, researchers, industry experts, and students from around the world will engage in dialogue and share cutting-edge innovations across topics such as smart agriculture, climate-resilient practices, biotechnology, circular food-value chains, and eco-friendly models. In doing so, we aim to strengthen regional and international cooperation, bolster Azerbaijan’s agro-industrial complex, and advance the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—particularly Goals 2, 9, 12, 13, and 15.

I invite you to join us in Ganja to explore new partnerships, exchange best practices, and contribute to shaping a more productive, equitable, and sustainable future for agriculture and food systems. Your participation will be instrumental in driving the innovations and collaborations that our region—and the world—so urgently needs.

Sincerely,

Rector

Zafar GURBANOV GAZANFAR