On February 15, the first 2021 online meeting of the Scientific Council of the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences (DBMS) of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences was held.

The meeting was attended by the vice-president of ANAS, academician Irada Huseynova, directors of scientific organizations of the departments, members of the Scientific Council of the Department of International Relations, and specialized employees.

The event was opened by the chairman of the Scientific Council of the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, academician Irada Huseynova, who greeted the participants and introduced them to the issues on the agenda. First, academician Irada Huseynova congratulated the director of the Institute of Botany of ANAS, academician Valida Ali-zade, corresponding member of ANAS Elshad Gurbanov on his 70th birthday, corresponding member of ANAS Ibrahim Jafarov on his 65th birthday, a senior researcher of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor Hasan Babayev on his 60th birthday, and noted that the heroes of the day were awarded the Honorary Diploma of the DBMS. Then the vice-president informed the meeting participants that on March 30 the General Director of the National Cancer Center Academician Jamil Aliyev will turn 75 years old, spoke about the productive scientific and organizational activities of the scientist and emphasized that a corresponding statement was submitted to the leadership of ANAS on this issue.

Further, Academician Irada Huseynova informed about the decree of the Presidium of ANAS "On plans for conducting research work in ANAS in 2021-2025" dated January 8, 2021. The speaker noted that the plans of research works of the institutes were considered in advance and widely discussed in the department, the necessary adjustments were made, and can be submitted to the Presidium of ANAS.

In addition, the proposals of the scientific organizations of the DBMS on the plan for admission to doctoral and dissertation programs for the 2021/2022 academic year were discussed in detail.

Then, other issues on the agenda were discussed - making partial changes to the composition of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Dendrology, the structure of the Institute of Botany, Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, and appropriate decisions were made.

In conclusion, a personnel issue was brought up for discussion - Doctor of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor Zumrud Mammadova was approved as the head of the Laboratory of Essential Oil Plants of the Institute of Dendrology.