The traditional interview given by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to local television channels on January 5 is of great importance in terms of clearly expressing the path the country has taken over the past year and the priorities for the coming period. In his interview, the head of state emphasized that Azerbaijan has already entered a new stage in peaceful conditions, and this factor creates broad opportunities for development in the political, economic and social spheres. It is within this general context that the President's views on science, education, and youth have strategic significance. Mr. President also devoted extensive space in this interview to the fact that the main advantage of developed countries is not natural resources, but intelligence, education, and science. According to him, oil and gas may create a temporary advantage, but long-term and sustainable development requires a perspective strategy based only on knowledge and intellectual potential. With this idea, the President is actually defining the basis of Azerbaijan's future development model and prioritizing human capital. One of the practical expressions of that strategic vision is the unification of science and education under a single management model. As the head of state emphasized, the creation of the Ministry of Science and Education was not a random decision. This approach, based on world experience, involves closer integration of science with higher education institutions and ensuring that scientific research serves real development goals. The head of state clearly stated that science should not become just a means of employment, but should provide real results, be relevant to the international scientific environment, and respond to modern challenges. In this regard, it was specifically noted that structural and personnel reforms are inevitable. One of the main points that stood out in the President's interview was the emphasis on quality criteria. Articles published in international scientific journals and compliance of scientific potential with modern requirements were indicated as the main criteria in evaluating scientific activity. This approach is indicative of a policy designed for the result-oriented, rather than formal, development of science. The President also particularly emphasized the steps taken in the field of higher education in Azerbaijan over the last 20 years. The establishment of 10 new higher education institutions during this period, some of which operate jointly with prestigious foreign partners, is an indication of the importance the state attaches to the quality of education. At the same time, mechanisms such as strengthening the social security of teachers, updating the educational infrastructure, and the testing system serve to increase the general knowledge level of society. According to the President, only an educated and knowledgeable society can ensure long-term development. The opinions expressed about young people also occupy a special place in the interview. Mr. Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan has a vast potential of talented youth and stressed the importance of revealing this potential through state programs. “It was reported that initiatives such as the "Yukselish" program serve to promote young people in both the public and private sectors and to form new, modern-minded personnel in management. The President's observations based on his personal experience also show that promoting young personnel with modern knowledge to leadership positions creates a qualitative change in management. The head of state also emphasized that the general intellectual level of society must be high in order to nurture individual talents. From this perspective, science, education, and personnel reforms are presented as closely related processes. The construction of more than 3,600 schools across the country in the last 20 years also shows that this policy is integrated with social and economic development. Ultimately, the ideas expressed by President Ilham Aliyev in the interview clearly reveal the main pillars of Azerbaijan's future development. This strategic line focused on science, education, and youth is a manifestation of the state's far-sighted policy, which aims not only for today, but also for decades and centuries to come. As the President stated, the reforms being carried out will continue, and this path will be one of the main factors ensuring the sustainable development of Azerbaijan. Elgun Rustemliler Head of the Public Relations and Communication Department of Sumgayit State University