The Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) is the main scientific organization in the Azerbaijan Republic. The ANAS was founded in 1945 in Baku city, the capital of the Azerbaijan Republic.

In early 1920 the scientific research activity was mainly concentrated at the Baku State University. In 1920-22 a Scientific Association was organized in Azerbaijan. The Association was comprised of humanitarian, medical and natural sciences research sections. The aim of Association was to provide comprehensive assistance in research of various scientific problems along with education and training of young researchers and scientists. In late 1921 a Society of Naturalists and Medics and then Society of Orientalists and Medics were organized at the Baku University. In 1920 a technical education provider, the Polytechnic Institute, was founded in Baku. At that Institute a research in the fields of technical science, economics and agricultural chemistry was regularly conducted.

In 1923 with aim of conducting scientific research the Azerbaijan Society for Scientific Research and Studies was established in Baku with A.B. Haqverdiyev as a Chairman. This Society became the leading scientific research organization in Azerbaijan. In its early time, the Society had Historical and Ethnographical, Economical and Naturalist sections. In 1925 on the basis of Historical and Ethnographical section a section of Turkish Research was created. With aim of conducting research and studies in various fields of science the commissions and sub-commissions on history, historical-literary studies, ethnography, philology, dictionaries, law, development of Soviet organizational structure, industrial development, engineering geography, Caspian Sea studies, fine arts, theatre, music and others were organized. The regional branches of the Society were organized in towns of Shemakha, Gyanja, Lyankoran, Zagatala and some other regional centres along with organizations of branches in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Upland 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, State and Law. The Institute played important role in coordination of scientific research and education and training of scientific cadre in Azerbaijan. Already in 1929-30 33 young scientists were trained and educated at the Department of Postgraduate Studies of the Institute, and in 1930-1931 43 students, 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 assistant professors 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 on the basis of 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-Gubski, I.M.Gubkin, AA.Grossheim, N.Y.Marr, I.I.Meschanov, A.N.Derjavin, I.G.Yesman, and first Azeri scientists, B.Chobanzade, V.Khuluflu, M.Efendiyev, A.Taghizade, S.Mumtaz, A.S.Mamedov and others were actively involved in scientific research at the Branch. In 1935 the Branch was transformed into Azerbaijan Affiliate Branch 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 Affiliate Branch, the Scientific-Research Institutes of Petroleum, Cotton, Petroleum Machine Building, Balneology and Physical Therapy, Hydraulic Engineering and Melioration and a number of other scientific laboratories and base stations were created within the same period of time 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, Lyankaran 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 of 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, Gyanja, Khankendi and Guba. Within the same year, the first fifteen Active Members of the Academy (Academicians) were elected at the Academy. These were Uzeyir Hajibeyov, Samed Vurgun, Mirza Ibrahimov, Yusif Mamedaliyev, Mirali Gashkay, A.A.Grossheim, S.Dadashov, I.G.Yesman, M.Mirgasimov, Sh.Azizbeyov, A. Alizade, M.Topchubashov, M. Husseynov, H.Husseynov and I.I. Shirokogorov. On March 31, 1945 at the General Meeting of the Academy M.Mirgasimov was elected as the President of the Academy. After that this post at various times was held by Y.Mamedaliyev (1947-1950, 1958-1961), M.Aliyev (1950-1958), Z.Khalilov (1961-1967), R.Ismaylov (1967-1970), H.M.Abdulayev (1970-1983), E.Y. Salayev (1983-1997), F.G. Magsudov (1997-2000). At the last elections held in 2001 Academician M. Kerimov was elected as a new President of the Academy. At present the Academy consists of five Sections. These are Sections of Physics, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (Institutes of Problems of Radiology, Physics, Mathematics and Mechanics, Information Technology, Cybernetics and Astrophysical Observatory in Shamakha), Chemical Sciences (Institutes of Chemical Processes, Chemistry of Additives, Problems of Chemistry), Earth Sciences (Institutes of Geology, Problems of Deep Oil and Gas Deposits, Geography, Museum of Natural History), Biological Sciences (Institutes of Botany, Zoology, Soil Sciences and Agro-chemistry, Physiology, Genetics and Selection, Botanical Garden, Sector of Microbiology), Social Sciences ( Sector of Archaeology and Ethnography, Institutes of History, Economics, Philosophy, Political and Juridical Studies, Literature, Philology, Near and Middle East Nations, Architecture and Fine Arts, Republican Repository of Manuscripts, Museum of Azerbaijan History, Museum of the Azerbaijan Literature named after Nizami, Scientific Information Centre). In 1972 a Nakhchivan Affiliate Branch of the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences was organized. There is a Fundamental Library functioning at the Academy of Sciences.

The scientists of the Academy are conducting joint research with their Turkish colleagues in 12 problem areas. The Academy maintains close links with other foreign research institutions. With aim of exchanging views on actual scientific problems, familiarization with the current scientific research activity at the Academy and familiarization with the organization of research process, a big number of foreign scientists visit the Academy every year. The scientists of the Academy actively participate in international scientific forums, workshops and symposiums communicating the outcomes of their research work to their foreign colleagues. The Academy also initiates and organizes regularly international scientific workshops and conferences in Azerbaijan. The scientists of the Academy have published their articles and monographs in 40 countries and in 20 languages.

In 1975 the Academy was awarded a State Order of �Friendship of Nations�.

The number of the Azeri scientists working abroad has increased significantly in 1993-94 compared with numbers related to the period of 1976-1990. In 1994 this number achieved level of 350. The nature of the scientific collaboration has also significantly changed since then. Unlike previous times, the Institutions of the Academy have signed more than 25 bilateral collaboration agreements and protocols with the foreign scientific organizations.

The wise, consistent and purposeful politics of Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Azerbaijan Republic, helped to restore stability in the Country, strengthened its sovereignty, further developed its economical independence, ensured its steady advancement towards full membership in the European Council. All this created the strong foundation for profound reforms in society, including reforms in the sphere of science.

The research work at the Academy is organized on the basis of 5-year work plans. The research work that started in 1996 was mostly completed in the year of 2000.

In 2000 the scientists of the Academy conducted research in 116 problem areas across 387 subjects, which totalled in 1044 individual works that produced 175 concrete scientific results. A number of steps have been taken at the specialist design bureaus and experimental plants of the Academy on practical application of outcomes of 46 scientific research works, of which 26 have been applied successfully with the rest 18 having been completed within the framework of the work plan for the year of 2000.

In the year of 2000 the scientists of the Academy published 224 monographs and 3027 articles, including 1034 published abroad. Within the same period of time 187 scientists were sent abroad either to conduct research at the foreign scientific institutions or participate in international forums, whilst 20 foreign scientists visited the Institutions of the Academy. In 1995-2000 the scientists of the Academy produced 737 important scientific results, published 829 monographs and 11929 articles, defended 61 dissertations for Doctor of Sciences degree and 291 ones for the Candidate of Sciences degree. 497 new entrants enrolled for postgraduate studies. 278 results have been successfully applied in the industry and more than 800 scientists visited foreign countries to participate in forums and conduct joint research.

In 1995-2000 the Institutions of the Academy grouped under Section of Physical, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences have produced 34 important scientific results and obtained 47 patents. Within these five years 98 scientists working in this Section have successfully defended their dissertations with 19 of them for Doctor of Sciences and the rest 79 for the Candidate of Sciences degree. The Section has published 104 monographs and 2639 articles.

The Institutions grouped under Section of Chemical Sciences was working on 49 subjects in 20 problem areas with 47 subjects and 37 concrete works having been completed successfully in 2000. In 1995-2000 71 dissertation for Candidate and 6 for Doctor of Sciences degree were successfully defended.

In the Section of Biological Sciences the Institutes of Botany, Zoology, Genetics and Selection, Physiology, Soil Sciences and Agro-Chemistry and Microbiology have obtained 25, 21, 8, 16, 16 and 3 new scientific results respectively.

At the Section of Social Sciences the research was conducted in 10 main directions comprising of 38 problems and 130 subjects.

The researchers working at the Section of Literature, Philology and Arts have conducted studies and research in various fields of contemporary humanitarian sciences with most of them, with some exclusions, having been completed with a range of valuable results obtained. The researchers of the Institute of Literature have intensified their work on 6-volume �History of the Azerbaijan Literature�. The first volume of this fundamental work that covers verbal folklore was discussed at the Institute and approved for publication. The second volume that covers the history of the Azerbaijan literature during the period of up to the 12^th century and provides analysis of artistic and aesthetic problems of that period will be published soon.

On March 22-24, 2000 an international symposium � The actual problems of mathematics, mechanics, physics and cybernetics� dedicated to the 70^th anniversary of the Academician Faramaz Magsudov, then the President of the Academy, was held at the Academy.

His Excellence Heydar Aliyev, the President of the Azerbaijan Republic, has always been paying big attention to and taking great care of science in Azerbaijan. By Presidential decree of May 15, 2001, the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences was re-named into the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. By upgrading its status, the President of the Azerbaijan Republic has set new important targets and tasks for the Academy thus increasing responsibility of the scientists before the State and the people of the Azerbaijan Republic.

In June of 2000 the election of new Active and Correspondent Members of the Academy was conducted. This elections have played important role in the history of the Academy. During the election 29 new Active Members (Academicians) and 91 Correspondent Members were elected out of nearly 500 candidates. This resulted in increase of the number of the Members of the Academy from 79 to 177. The proportion of young and capable people among the Members of the Academy was thus increased significantly.

Despite all the difficulties the Academy successfully continued its activity throughout the year of 2001. The scientific schools created in the fields of mathematics, physics, petroleum chemistry, geology and biology were further developed. Liberated from the old ideological restraints the researchers working in the fields of historical science, literature, philology, economics, philosophy and juridical science have produced new results that help the strengthening the young democratic Azerbaijan Republic and served well in further development of its people. During this year the scientists of the Academy conducted research on 193 subjects distributed across 133 problem areas and could obtain 125 important results. The scientific organizations, specialist design bureaus and experimental plant of the Academy have undertaken necessary steps on practical application of 54 results obtained from the research work. In 2001 the scientists of the Academy published 248 monographs, 2960 articles, including 600 published abroad, and made 500 presentations at various national and international forums. At present there are 373 Doctors of Sciences actively working at the Academy.

At present a big number of proposals on co-operation keep coming to the Academy from the member countries of NATO. The proposal on Azerbaijan�s participation in programmes funded by the International Centre of Science and Technology backed by the State Department of the US Government deserves special attention. The Presidium of the Academy has taken a decision on further development of Internet service at the Academy. The Academic computer network provides free service to more than 200 users from all Academic and Higher Education Institutions and some government agencies and has very well developed infrastructure. Thanks to this 24-hour service, the scientist working at the Academy have an opportunity to access various sources of information and stay abreast of all latest developments in science and technology worldwide.

At the General Meeting held at the Academy on July 05, 2001 the issues of restructuring and some other organizational issues were considered. According to the decision taken at the Meeting the Sections of Social Sciences, Literature, Philology and Arts were integrated into one Section of Humanitarian and Social Sciences.

In accordance with Decree No. 81 of May 21, 2002 issued by the Cabinet of Ministers a restructuring was made to the research base of the Academy as well.

The Sector of Radiological Research was transformed into Institute of Radiation Problems. The Information-Telecommunication Scientific Centre was re-organized into Institute of Information Technology. The main field of activity for the Institute of Radiation Problems was defined as a development of radiation-based technologies, research of problems of radiation security, radio-ecology, ecology and research of non-traditional sources of energy. For the Institute of Information Technology the main areas of activity were defined as a research and development of information security systems, development of computer network technologies, creation of intellectual computer networks and systems, informatization of various aspects of scientific and social life. The Presidium of the Academy has taken a number of steps to ensure implementation of reforms aimed at improving the organizational support systems of the Academy, revision of the main lines of research activity, optimisation of training and development of scientific cadre. It also includes increasing of the sense of responsibility on the part of researchers and scientists, increase of productivity of scientific units as well as support functions. In line with this, the scope of research activities and work plans was closely examined and revised. Research work in some areas was terminated due to the loss of its actuality. Some laboratories and departments were liquidated, whilst the others were re-integrated into new ones. Some new laboratories were organized. Revisions and corrections were made to some fundamental documents and policies determining the work and management principles of the Academy.

The Presidium of the Academy developed and approved plans on further intensification of reforms. This was done with aim to increase productivity of scientific research work with further orientation of it towards areas important for the Azerbaijan Republic. The plans also foresee increase of productivity of financial and material assets usage, elimination of parallelism and duplication of efforts, intensification of research processes along with further optimisation of overall organizational structure of the Academy.