Centuries of historical experience have proven that scientific and organizational institutions play a huge role in the development of science and become its driving force. The Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) was born out of historical necessity and played an important role in the development of our country and our people. The National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan has great merits in the development of various areas of social life of Azerbaijan, in the struggle for state independence, as well as in the formation and further strengthening of the national intelligentsia.

Azerbaijan People Republic (1918-20) has vital role in adoption Azerbaijan science, its intellectual values as national opulence. Establishment of University of Baku, Azerbaijani students’ delivery to the European highest schools, extension of national language and culture were the key factors that affecting generally to Azerbaijan science development. In early 1920, the scientific research was mainly concentrated at the University of Baku. In 1920-22, Scientific Association was organized comprised of humanitarian, medical and natural sciences research sections. Association aimed at providing comprehensive assistance in research of various scientific problems along with education and training of young researchers and scientists. In late 1921 Society of Naturalists and Medics and then Society of Orientalists and Medics were organized at the University of Baku. In 1920 a technical education provider - Polytechnic Institute was founded in Baku which was engaged to conduct research in the fields of technical science, economics, and agricultural chemistry.

In 1923 with aim of conducting scientific research the Azerbaijan Society of Investigation and Study was established in Baku by initiative of Nariman Narimanov. This Society became the leading scientific research organization in Azerbaijan. In its early time, Society had History-Ethnography, Economy, and Nature sciences sections. In 1925 Turkish Research section attached to the History-Ethnography section was established. With aim of conducting research and studies in various fields of science the commissions and sub-commissions on history, historical-literary studies, ethnography, philology, lexicography, law, industry, Caspian Sea studies, fine arts, theatre, music, and others were organized. The regional branches of the Society were organized in towns of Shamakha, Ganja, Lankaran, Zagatala and some other regional centres along with organizations of branches in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous District. In 1925 the Society was transferred under direct Government control. In 1929 the Society was re-organized into the Azerbaijan State Scientific-Research Institute. The Institute was comprised of Departments of Natural Sciences, Biology, History and Ethnography, Philology, Literature and Art, Philosophy, Soviet and Foreign East, Governmental and Legal. The Institute played important role in coordination of scientific research and education and training of scientific staff in Azerbaijan. Already in 1929-30, 33 young scientists were trained and educated at the Department of Postgraduate Studies of the Institute, and 43 students in 1930-1931, with 34 of them being indigenous Azeri, enrolled at the Institute for postgraduate studies.

By the end of 1932 there were 30 scientific organizations and more than 10 higher education institutions in Azerbaijan. Within that period, there were 800 research scientists, including 87 professors and 138 senior lecturers actively working in Azerbaijan. However, neither the Azerbaijan State Scientific-Research Institute (ASSRI) nor other branch-wise scientific organizations were in position to meet satisfactorily the demands for development of science in Azerbaijan.

In 1932 based on the ASSRI the Azerbaijan Branch of Trans-Caucasian Affiliate Organization of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR was organized in Baku. R. Akhundov was appointed as a Head of Branch. The Branch was comprised of 11 sections and several commissions. A group of famous Russian scientists such as F.Y.Levinson-Gubsky, I.M.Gubkin, A.A.Grossheim, N.Y.Marr, I.I.Meschaninov, A.Mammadov, S.Mumtaz, A.Taghizadeh,  I.G.Yesman, A.N.Derjavin, B.Chobanzadeh, V.Khuluflu, M.Efendiyev and others were actively involved in scientific research at the Branch.

In 1935, Branch was shifted into Azerbaijan Affiliate of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Then existing sections and commissions were further developed into Scientific Research Institutes of Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, History, Ethnography and Archaeology, Philology and Literature. Along with this the Sections of Energy, Physics, Geology and Soil Sciences were organized as well. Russian Academician I.M.Gubkin was elected as a Chairman of the Presidium of the Affiliate Branch. Later, another Russian Academician S.S. Namyotkin succeeded him in this post.

In addition to the Institutes and Sections of the Branch, Scientific-Research Institutes of Petroleum, Cotton, Petroleum Machine Building, Balneology and Physical Therapy, Hydraulic Engineering and Melioration and several other scientific laboratories and base stations were created within the same period in Azerbaijan. The active research work was also being conducted at the Institutes of Tropical Diseases, Microbiology, Protection of Maternity and Childhood, Azerbaijan Scientific-Research Institute of Veterinary, Azerbaijan Branch of the Trans-Caucasian Institute of Construction Materials, Lankaran Station of Subtropical Plants, laboratories of the Azerbaijan State University, Industrial Institute, Institutes of Agriculture, Pedagogical and Medical Institutes. By 1940 there were 60 scientific institutions and organizations functioning in Azerbaijan. From 1936 till 1941, 34 Research Scientist and Postgraduate Students successfully defended their dissertations at the Azerbaijan Affiliate Branch of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, including 5 ones for Doctor of Sciences degree. If in 1938 there were 16 Doctors of Sciences and Professors and 20 Candidate of Sciences working at the Affiliate Branch, in 1941 these numbers increased up to 21 and 161 respectively.

By decree of the Council of the People’s Commissars of the USSR dated January 23, 1945, the Azerbaijan Affiliate Branch was transformed into Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences. At that time the Academy was comprised of 4 sections, 16 Scientific Research Institutes, Scientific Research Departments, 3 museums, Central Scientific Library, Scientific Bases in Nakhchivan, Ganja, Khankendi and Guba. Within the same year. Thus, the searches, checks and discussions that began on January 23, 1945, lasted more than two months, and finally the first 15 founders of the Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan SSR, the first academicians, were determined. By the decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the Azerbaijan SSR "On the establishment of the Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan SSR" dated March 27, 1945, No. 316, the establishment of the Academy of Sciences in our country was formalized. its Charter was approved.

During the period of Heydar Aliyev, significant measures have been taken in the spheres of science development, strengthening scientific and technical capacity, and training of highly qualified staff. By the Decree of President Heydar Aliyev dated May 15, 2001, Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences has gained the status of “National Academy of Sciences”. This decree proves the fundamental achievements of science in Azerbaijan, role of science in socio-economic, cultural, and spiritual formation of Azerbaijan, and its prestige in social-political life of the country.

By the Heydar Aliyev's decree dated January 4, 2003, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences was charged the status of a public authority implementing scientific and technical policy of the state. Its charter was given state's charter document, and its president was assigned the member of supreme executive power. Thus, there was a legal basis for the development of ANAS, expanded the scope of the academy, increased powers and governmental responsible tasks were put before.

To ensure the implementation of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 28, 2022, No. 1769 “On some measures to improve management in the field of science and education in the Republic of Azerbaijan,” the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan on September 30, 2022, decided to approve a new structure - the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. The new structure of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences includes 22 scientific institutions. In addition, a number of organizations operate attached to the Presidium of ANAS: Central Scientific Library, Research Center of "Azerbaijan National Encyclopedia", Museum of Nature History, "Cybernetics" Special Constructor Bureau, Republican Council for Coordination of Scientific Research, Free Trade Union, Council of Veterans, Council of Young Scientists and Specialists,  Scientific-production association, "Science" Publishing House, Limited Liability Company "High Technologies Park of ANAS".

The establishment of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences is an honorable event in the scientific history of our country. The Academy of Sciences played an important role at all stages of the development of Azerbaijani society. The Academy of Sciences has made a significant contribution to the formation, preservation and strengthening of the intellectual forces of our country. The Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan has always responsibly fulfilled the function of one of the main centers of Azerbaijani ideology. The National Academy of Sciences, as one of the main bearers of important tasks, actively participated in the implementation of all programs implemented towards the modernization of Azerbaijani society. Currently, the National Academy of Sciences continues with honor and responsibility to follow the path of building a new society and further strengthening the ideals of an independent state in the light of large-scale reforms carried out by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Recommended literature:

1. Azərbaycan Milli Elmlər Akademiyası - 60 / red. heyəti: M. K. Kərimov [et al.]. - Bakı : Elm, 2005. - 470 s.
2. Azərbaycan Elmlər Akademiyasının yaranma tarixi = История создания Национальной Академии Наук Азербайджана : [kitab-albom] / Azərbaycan Milli Elmlər Akademiyası ; tərt.-müəl.: Z. Ə. Hacıyeva, N. A. Əliyarlı. - Bakı : n. y., 2015. - 125 s.
3. Akademiya simalarda : 1945-2015 / Azərbaycan Milli Elmlər Akademiyası. - Bakı : Elm, 2015. - 462 s.
4. Azərbaycan Milli Elmlər Akademiyası simalarda : 75 il: 1945-2020 / Azərbaycan Milli Elmlər Akademiyası ; red. heyəti: İ. Ə. Həbibbəyli [et al.] ; baş red. R. Ə. Mehdiyev. - Bakı : Elm, 2021. - 987 s.
5. Məlikli, Günel Qurbanəli qızı. Azərbaycan Milli Elmlər Akademiyasının şərəfli tarix yolu / G. Q. Məlikli ; elmi red. İ. Ə. Həbibbəyli ; AMEA Fəlsəfə və Sosiologiya İnstitutu. - Bakı : Elm : Red N Line, 2020. - 240 s.