The opening ceremony of the 49th Annual World Finals of the International Collegiate Programming held for the first time in Baku.

The event is organized by the ICPC Foundation, supported by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and PASHA Holding, hosted by ADA University, with the joint cooperation of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency and the ICPC Azerbaijan community.

The opening remarks of the event held at the Heydar Aliyev Center, were made by President of the ICPC Foundation Bill Poucher and ICPC 49th World Finals Director Fuad Hajiyev.

Addressing the event, ADA University Rector, Professor Hafiz Pashayev, and Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Samir Mammadov highlighted the importance of hosting the 49th ICPC World Finals in Azerbaijan, emphasizing the opportunities it will create.

Taleh Kazimov, Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), described the hosting of the World Finals in Baku as a clear indicator of the country's technological progress and a manifestation of its openness to international collaboration.

The event followed by presentation of awards to partners and members of the ICPC community.

For the first time, Azerbaijan is represented at the ICPC World Finals by two teams, from ADA University and Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS), marking a significant milestone as the country has previously only sent one team at a time to the finals since it began participating in regional rounds since 2004.

Each year, more than 70,000 student programmers from over 110 countries participate in the ICPC, representing approximately 3,500 universities.

The ICPC World Finals bring together teams from nearly 140 universities across more than 50 countries.