The 8th Eurasian Conference on Cascading Failure Risks in Earth Dams (RISK-2026) was held in Baku and Mingachevir from 22 to 24 October 2026. Bringing together scholars and researchers from different countries, the international event continued in Mingachevir on 23 October with panel discussions and scientific parallel sessions hosted by Mingachevir State University.
The conference was jointly organised by Mingachevir State University and the Institute of Geography of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in partnership with AMIR Technical Services Company, the European Safety and Reliability Association (ESRA), Tbilisi State University of Georgia, the Southeast Asia Institute for Water Resources and Environment of Vietnam, Politecnico di Milano of Italy, and the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID).
With participants from 16 countries and 110 scientific research papers presented, the conference served as an important international platform for discussing scientific approaches and innovative technological solutions related to the sustainable management of water resources, the safety of hydraulic infrastructure, the assessment of environmental and socio-economic risks arising from climate change, and the prevention of natural disasters. The event promoted the exchange of scientific expertise, the sharing of best practices, and joint research initiatives aimed at addressing regional challenges.
As part of the conference, Anar Eminov, Rector of Mingachevir State University; Tahmasib Huseynov, Director of “Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant” LLC; and Zaur Imrani, Director of the Institute of Geography, delivered speeches. Their remarks highlighted the scientific significance of the conference, the importance of ensuring the safety of water and energy infrastructure, risk assessment in the context of climate change, and the strengthening of international scientific cooperation.
A panel discussion entitled “The Future of Water Security in Mingachevir” was also held as part of the event. The panel featured Anar Eminov, Rector of Mingachevir State University; Zaur Imrani, Director of the Institute of Geography; and Tahmasib Huseynov, Director of “Azerbaijan Thermal Power Plant” LLC. The discussion focused on the prospects for water security in Mingachevir, the efficient management of water resources, the reliability of hydraulic infrastructure, and ways to reduce environmental risks. The speakers exchanged views and answered questions from participants.
During the scientific sessions, researchers representing different countries presented their findings on a range of topical issues, including dam reliability and the modelling of cascading failure risks, flood risk assessment in the Kura–Aras basin, the impact of climate change on water resources, artificial intelligence- and machine learning-based early warning systems, environmental safety, and the development of sustainable infrastructure. Discussions following the presentations emphasised the practical application of research findings, the potential of modern technologies in risk management, and the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation.
Hosting the international conference in Mingachevir provided an opportunity to bring current issues related to the city’s water and energy infrastructure, as well as its research potential, to the international scientific agenda. By bringing together university representatives, research institutions, and industry stakeholders, the event strengthened opportunities for collaboration, linking scientific knowledge with the needs of the real economy and seeking evidence-based solutions to regional challenges.
One of the conference’s notable outcomes is that 30 selected papers that successfully pass expert evaluation are expected to be indexed in the Scopus database.