https://azertag.az AZERTAC - Azerbaijan State News Agency https://azertag.az/en/xeber/president_of_azerbaijan_policy_of_double_standards_should_be_totally_eliminated_from_international_politics-4481730 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:54:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC "A double standard policy should be totally eliminated from international politics," President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.Recalling that Azerbaijani society has zero tolerance to double standards, the head of state noted that this must be reflected not only in, for instance, addressing the different wars and conflicts. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/president_azerbaijans_experience_can_help_resolve_certain_conflicts-4481706 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:45:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC"Today, when we see new wars emerging almost every year," President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.Touching upon Azerbaijan's experience in stopping wars, the head of state noted: "It's very easy to start, but very difficult to end, and also very difficult to win. So I think Azerbaijan's experience – when we won the war, and the war was just, and when the defeated side capitulated, and after that we didn't go further, we stopped when it was time to stop and offered peace – should be examined by those who are involved in wars now."The Azerbaijani leader noted that Azerbaijan’s experience could be very valuable in showing what kind of existing precedents established by Azerbaijan can be used to address certain conflicts. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azerbaijan_unesco_enhance_cooperation_in_ai_education_and_cultural_heritage-4481565 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:17:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTACOn October 26, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov met with Åsa Regnér, UNESCO Deputy Director-General, in Baku. The meeting focused on the current state and prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNESCO, intercultural dialogue, education, science, artificial intelligence, cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), as well as support for African countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).Elnur Mammadov stressed the pivotal role played by the Framework Agreement signed in 2013 and the establishment of the Azerbaijan/UNESCO Trust Fund in advancing bilateral cooperation. He reiterated Azerbaijan’s interest in continuing to support UNESCO programmes and projects in line with its national priorities.The Deputy Foreign Minister lauded UNESCO’s active participation in the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. He noted that the Organization had organized three panel sessions as part of the Forum.Elnur Mammadov provided information on the Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025–2028 and the Digital Development Council. He underlined that artificial intelligence technologies were applied to promote the country’s development and digitalize public services.Åsa Regnér expressed her gratitude to Azerbaijan for the excellent organization of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue and for the cooperation provided. She hailed Azerbaijan’s support for African nations, a priority area of UNESCO, as well as for gender equality, girls’ education, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). https://azertag.az/en/xeber/president_ilham_aliyev_speaks_at_dialogue_forum_about_azerbaijans_liberation_of_its_territories-4481526 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:06:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC President Ilham Aliyev spoke about Azerbaijan’s liberation of its territories during his speech at the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.Noting that Azerbaijan had liberated its territories that had remained under occupation for years in accordance with the UN Charter and the right to self-defense, the head of state said: “We restored our dignity and international law, and we solely implemented United Nations Security Council resolutions, which were adopted in 1993.” https://azertag.az/en/xeber/japan_grapples_with_changing_juvenile_delinquency_in_social_media_age-4481496 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:05:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC Social media is changing the face of juvenile delinquency in Japan, allowing teenagers to form groups beyond their schools and organize stunts targeting police, sometimes filming their exploits to share online, according to Kyodo News.The trend has raised concerns among police and educators, with experts warning that adults do not fully understand how children use the internet, as juvenile crime figures rise again after decades of decline.In the early hours of June 4, the roar of revving minibike engines echoed outside a police station in Kasugai in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan.When officers stepped outside, they found six teenagers riding in pairs on three minibikes, repeatedly passing the station. The youths hurled raw eggs at officers and a patrol car before speeding away.The practice of provoking police and then fleeing is known as "Poli-Oni," a combination of the words "police" and "oni-gokko," the Japanese game of tag.Six youths aged 15 and 16 were arrested on suspicion of obstructing official duties in connection with the Kasugai incident by August, with some telling investigators they had wanted a thrill.Similar incidents have recently been reported in Miyagi and Hyogo prefectures in recent years, including cases in which juveniles threw firecrackers into police boxes. Videos posted on TikTok show youths being pursued by patrol cars, with the clips labeled "Poli-Oni."According to senior Aichi prefectural police officials, social media has enabled youths from different schools to connect and form groups, making it increasingly difficult for adults to monitor their activities."In the past, we could keep an eye on groups of children at individual schools and spot signs of delinquency," an official at a local board of education said. "Now we don't know who they're mixing with or what they're getting up to."According to the National Police Agency, the number of juveniles against whom police took action for Penal Code offenses fell steadily from a peak in the 1980s to a record low of 14,818 in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.But the figure has since risen for four consecutive years, reaching 24,416 in 2025.The number of children under 14 taken into police custody or given guidance over delinquent behavior also rose for five consecutive years, from 5,086 in 2020 to 9,178 in 2025. Children under 14 cannot be held criminally responsible in Japan.Kazuo Takeuchi, a University of Hyogo professor who previously worked as a junior high school teacher and student guidance coordinator, warned that adults have failed to grasp how easily even young children can access online content that could lead to criminal behavior.He called for a system to crack down on videos and other content with a high risk of encouraging criminal activity, as well as those responsible for posting them.But child welfare workers caution that restricting children's access to social media alone will not address the underlying problems.An official at a child consultation center in Aichi said some youths who struggle to find a sense of belonging at home or school are drawn to delinquent groups through online connections.At the same time, social media can provide a valuable source of friendship and support for children who feel isolated."Simply imposing age restrictions or limiting the time children spend online won't solve the fundamental problem," the official said.Asato Takasaka, head of the Aichi-based nonprofit support center for the prevention of re-offending, stressed the importance of children having multiple connections with trustworthy classmates and local residents who are not involved in criminal activity, even if those relationships are only casual. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/gold_and_silver_prices_decline_on_global_markets-4481484 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:04:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTACGold prices fell by $19.02 to $4,005.47 per troy ounce on the New York-based COMEX (Commodity Exchange Inc.).Silver prices also declined, dropping by $1.14 to $53.21 per ounce. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/oil_prices_decline_on_global_markets-4481466 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:02:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTACOil prices fell on global markets.On the London-based Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Brent crude fell by $0.90 to $114.90 per barrel. On the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), Light crude dropped by $0.80 to $101.00 per barrel. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azeri_light_sells_for_over_127-4481442 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:55:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTACThe price of Azeri Light crude oil increased by $1.01, or 0.8 percent, to settle at $127.60 per barrel on Tuesday.The all-time low for Azeri Light was $15.81 per barrel on April 21, 2020, while the record high stood at $149.66 per barrel in July 2008. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/voting_begins_in_israeli_parliamentary_election-4481427 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:51:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC Voting in Israel's parliamentary election began at 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political future in focus, Xinhua reported.The latest pre-election polls published by Israeli media showed the centrist Yashar Party, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, and Netanyahu's right-wing Likud Party ranking among the leading parties. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/president_ilham_aliyev_azerbaijani_society_is_demonstrating_unity_on_all_issues-4481418 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:51:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC “Today, Azerbaijani society is demonstrating unity on all issues,” President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.Reaffirming that there are no internal risks in Azerbaijan, the head of state noted: “All the potential risks are coming from beyond our boundaries, and ideological risks are as dangerous as physical risks. Therefore, we must always be alert. We must be fully committed to protecting our identity, statehood, independence, and way of life.” https://azertag.az/en/xeber/president_of_azerbaijan_representatives_of_all_ethnic_groups_and_religions_fought_as_one_iron_fist_during_second_garabagh_war-4481346 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:39:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC “We enjoy a very high level of solidarity, mutual respect, and mutual understanding, and we are all united around our national ideas. One of them is Azerbaijanism, which embraces all the peoples of Azerbaijan,” President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.Emphasizing that this unity manifested itself during the most challenging periods in Azerbaijan’s independent history, the head of state noted that during Armenia’s military aggression and occupation, as well as the Second Garabagh War, representatives of all ethnic groups and religions fought as one iron fist, which became a symbol of Azerbaijan’s victory. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/president_ilham_aliyev_addressed_opening_of_7th_world_forum_on_intercultural_dialogue-4481205 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:32:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC The opening ceremony of the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, themed “Dialogue for a Shared Future,” is underway in Baku.President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the event. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azerbaijani_fm_oic_secretary_general_discuss_preparations_for_2027_baku_summit-4481310 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:31:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTACOn October 26, Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), who is on a visit to the country.Minister Jeyhun Bayramov once again congratulated Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his election as OIC Secretary General and wished him success in his future endeavors. During the meeting, the sides highlighted the key role of the OIC in strengthening solidarity across the Muslim world, expanding cooperation among member states, and addressing shared challenges.The meeting addressed the current state and prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the OIC. FM Bayramov expressed gratitude for the Organization’s long-standing support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, emphasizing the significance of this support in promoting the norms and principles of international law.The parties discussed the priorities set under Azerbaijan’s upcoming presidency of the OIC starting next year, preparations for the OIC Summit scheduled to take place in Baku in 2027, enhancing political and economic ties among member states, expanding cooperation in humanitarian affairs, climate change, youth, media, and other sectors, as well as joint efforts on issues concerning the Islamic world.The meeting underscored the importance of implementing reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing the effectiveness of the OIC, as well as ensuring the organization’s flexible counteraction to evolving contemporary challenges. In this context, the sides stressed the need for enhancing coordination and mutual interaction among member states.The discussions also covered humanitarian aid initiatives carried out through the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) and opportunities to expand humanitarian cooperation within the OIC framework. The parties emphasized the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to populations in need and mobilizing efforts to address humanitarian challenges in Muslim countries.Jeyhun Bayramov briefed the OIC Secretary-General on the ongoing restoration and reconstruction efforts in the region in the post-conflict period. He also drew attention to the ongoing landmine threats in the region and the key steps being taken to eliminate them.The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on other regional issues of mutual interest. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/president_one_of_main_reasons_for_stable_development_of_azerbaijan_is_harmony_in_our_society-4481292 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:27:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC “The traditions of multiculturalism, religious and ethnic tolerance are factors with which our people have lived throughout the centuries, and which we highly value," said President Ilham Aliyev in his speech at the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.The head of state emphasized that one of the main reasons for the successful and stable development of Azerbaijan is harmony in the society. "Representatives of all ethnic groups and religions not only enjoy the same rights according to our Constitution, but also live as one family." https://azertag.az/en/xeber/president_azerbaijan_has_historically_always_been_multicultural-4481280 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:24:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC “The issues related to intercultural, interreligious relations are at the top of our agenda,” President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.“Azerbaijan has historically always been multicultural. We are situated between Europe and Asia, and for centuries Azerbaijan was a cultural bridge between Asia and Europe,” the head of state emphasized. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/president_ilham_aliyev_world_forum_on_intercultural_dialogue_has_contributed_to_the_development_of_intercultural_relations-4481271 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:21:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTAC “The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue has really transformed over the years into one of the most efficient and inclusive platforms for addressing issues of intercultural relations, and not only,” President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.The head of state noted that discussions at the forums traditionally focus on pressing issues on the global agenda. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/harry_kane_wins_ballon_d_039or_award-4481181 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:52:00 +0400 Baku, October 27, AZERTACBayern Munich forward Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or award on Monday, becoming England's first winner in 25 years, Xinhua reports. Alexia Putellas won the women's Ballon d'Or after leading FC Barcelona to four trophies last season, before joining London City Lionesses in the summer. This is her third women's Ballon d'Or award after 2021 and 2022. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/leyla_aliyeva_visits_capybara_azerbaijan_farm_in_shamakhi-4481052 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 22:30:00 +0400 Shamakhi, October 26, AZERTACOn October 26, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Alena Aliyeva visited the Nasimi Gardens complex in Shamakhi.Leyla Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva first viewed the artworks displayed in the area. The guests then visited the Capybara Cafe, which was created based on the capybara concept.Capybara Cafe offers visitors a unique and relaxing atmosphere. The cafe's interior and offered products are designed in line with a unified concept, where every detail resembles capybaras. Even the desserts on the menu are presented in the shape of capybaras.For guests wishing to purchase souvenir gifts, a souvenir shop operates inside the cafe.Subsequently, Leyla Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva visited the Capybara Azerbaijan farm and were briefed on the conditions created there, while also feeding the capybaras. Recognized as the first capybara farm ever established in Azerbaijan, the Capybara Azerbaijan aims to introduce visitors more closely to these unique animals, contribute to the development of ecotourism, and support the formation of a responsible and caring attitude toward animals. The farm has quickly turned into a top destination for numerous visitors in a short span of time.Considered the world's largest rodents native to Central and South America, capybaras have gained immense popularity in various countries in recent years. Being incredibly friendly animals, capybaras attract people's attention with their unusual appearance and social characteristics, fostering greater love for animals and nature in general. Taking into account the above-mentioned factors, the Capybara Azerbaijan farm was constructed using advanced technologies.The existing infrastructure at the farm was designed to create conditions matching capybara’s natural habitat as closely as possible. Both indoor and outdoor pools, as well as individual baths, have been built for capybaras. The farm is equipped with a modern water filtration system, an automatic humidification system ensuring optimal humidity, and special UV lamps simulating natural sunlight.At this venue, which garners great interest from both children and adults, it is possible to get in touch with a piece of exotic nature. Visitors can feed capybaras and gain interesting information about their lifestyle, behavior, and natural habitat.The guests also visited the Magic Village section, another popular project consisting of themed houses built in the style of hobbit homes. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azerbaijani_kyrgyz_trade_unions_enhance_collaboration-4481025 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 22:08:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACA meeting was held at the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan during the visit of a delegation from the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan to Bishkek.During the meeting, it was emphasized that thanks to the political will and friendly relations of the heads of state — President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov — relations between the two countries have reached the level of strategic partnership. These relations have created favorable conditions for expanding cooperation between trade unions.Muradil Jumadilde, Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan, provided information about the activities of the organization he leads and its efforts to protect workers’ rights, highlighting the importance of ties with Azerbaijani trade unions. It was noted that the memorandums signed between the two organizations, training programs organized for Kyrgyz representatives at the Azerbaijan Labor and Social Relations Academy, and mutual visits reflect the positive momentum in bilateral cooperation.Sahib Mammadov, Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, spoke about the modernization process underway in Azerbaijan’s trade union system, modern mechanisms introduced to protect labor rights, and the benefits of digitalization for trade union activities. Sharing his views on prospects for cooperation, the Confederation’s chairman noted the significant potential for developing ties in various fields, particularly health tourism.The meeting addressed the implementation of memorandums signed between Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz trade unions, the realization of joint initiatives, and the further expansion of relations.A presentation on Azerbaijan’s health tourism opportunities was also held as part of the meeting. Representatives of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, the State Agency for Tourism Development, private-sector organizations, trade unions, and the media attended the event.Chingiz Hajiyev, Director General of the Kurort Closed Joint-Stock Company, delivered a presentation on Azerbaijan’s health tourism potential, including the health and recreation centers of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, their service facilities, treatment methods, and recreational services.The event featured the screening of a film showcasing Azerbaijan’s health tourism opportunities, followed by a Q&A session. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/khinisli_nursery_kindergarten_opened_in_shamakhi_city-4481037 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 22:05:00 +0400 Shamakhi, October 26, AZERTACThe Khinisli nursery-kindergarten was inaugurated in the city of Shamakhi on October 26.Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Alena Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony and familiarized themselves with the conditions created at the facility.Constructed by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the preschool educational facility has a capacity of 110 seats. The nursery-kindergarten features bedrooms located in separate wings for boys and girls, as well as group, computer, and medical rooms, music and gymnastics halls, and a cafeteria.The facility is fully equipped with the necessary furniture and equipment, while the rooms are provided with visual aids.Gazebos and a playground with amusement rides have been installed for children’s recreation.In her interview with AZERTAC, Saida Zahidova, Director of the nursery-kindergarten, said that since the old kindergarten building, constructed in 1969, had become unfit for use and a new building was needed. In the new nursery-kindergarten, built by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, children will be involved in the educational process across six groups. Along with state programs implemented in the country for the construction of new children education facilities and the reconstruction of existing ones in line with the most modern requirements, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation constantly keeps this issue in spotlight. Since 2014, by implementing the program "Development of Preschool Educational Institutions," the Foundation has contributed to the training, education, and development of knowledgeable and well-educated children. The program covers regions alongside the capital, Baku, including Shamakhi. Overall, several new nursery-kindergartens and schools have been built and commissioned in Shamakhi in recent years. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/ngo_agency_and_garabagh_revival_fund_announce_joint_grant_competition_on_sustainable_settlement_and_community_life_in_liberated_territories-4481019 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 22:00:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC The Agency on State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Garabagh Revival Fund (KRF) announce a joint grant competition for NGOs on “Supporting Sustainable Settlement and Community Life in the Liberated Territories.” Applications and supporting documents for NGOs’ project proposals will be accepted beginning October 26, 2026. The application deadline is November 20, 2026. Once submissions close, the documents submitted by NGOs for their project proposals will undergo a technical review, the projects will be evaluated, and the winners will be selected and announced.Maximum grant amounts:• Small grant competition – The maximum grant amount is 30,000 AZN (thirty thousand manats).• Large grant competition – The maximum grant amount is 70,000 AZN (seventy thousand manats).The competitions cover the following topics:I. Developing young people’s digital and creative skills in the liberated territories(Priority is given to projects that organize training programs, courses, and workshops to develop skills in photography, videography, digital content creation, media literacy, and the practical use of artificial intelligence tools for adolescents and young people living in the liberated territories.)II. Raising awareness of the destruction of tangible cultural heritage and the reconstruction, restoration, and resettlement efforts in Garabagh and East Zangazur (Priority is given to projects involving exhibitions and related presentations.)III. Community-based social initiatives and inclusion(Priority is given to projects aimed at improving the daily quality of life of resettled residents; organizing meaningful leisure activities; establishing clubs for children and adolescents; increasing women’s social participation; integrating persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups into social life; conducting awareness-raising activities on traffic rules and safe behavior for pedestrians and drivers in newly established settlements; promoting environmental awareness; managing household waste; and encouraging greening and environmentally responsible behavior.)IV. Public awareness of the risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) (activities under this topic are conducted in partnership with ANAMA)(Priority is given to projects that closely involve mine survivors and their family members, as well as former deminers, in raising public awareness of mine and UXO hazards, providing information on appropriate safety practices, and reducing mine and UXO risks, especially among children.)V. Public support for the protection of cultural heritage and the promotion of tourism potential(Priority is given to projects that involve local communities in protecting cultural heritage sites, promote public oversight mechanisms, publicize the region’s tourist routes, and train local residents as guides.)Special requirements for the competition:• The project implementation plan must clearly and precisely identify the settlements covered (district, city, village), the venues (schools, clubs, community centers, and other buildings), and the implementation schedule. Prior arrangements must be made with the management of the institutions where the project activities are to take place.• Residents who have settled in the liberated territories must be involved in project implementation as participants, volunteers, or implementers.• A mechanism to ensure the sustainability of the project’s results after its completion must be specified.• A training program must be submitted for training and awareness-raising projects.• Trainers involved in the project must hold certificates issued in accordance with relevant national or international standards, or possess equivalent qualifications supported by appropriate documentation.The following projects are ineligible for the competition:• Projects identical to those previously financed from the state budget through earlier competitions.• Projects that do not align with the NGO’s statutory objectives.Documents required for the competition:In accordance with the Rules approved by Decision No. 188 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated June 22, 2026, the following documents are required for the competition:• Project proposal;• Project implementation plan;• Project cost estimate;• Financial justification for the project budget;• Copies of the NGO’s charter, registration certificate, and extract from the state register of legal entities;• A copy of the NGO’s tax registration certificate;• A copy of the identity document of the NGO’s authorized representative;• Details of the NGO’s bank account to which the grant amount will be transferred;• For the small grant competition, a document confirming that media outlets have published at least 10 distinct items of information about the NGO’s activities, projects, and programs over the past 3 years;• For the large grant competition, a document confirming that media outlets have published at least 30 distinct items of information about the NGO’s activities, projects, and programs over the past 5 years.Technical requirements:• NGOs must submit their project proposals electronically through a dedicated section on the website of the Agency on State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (the relevant section will be active on the Agency’s electronic services portal, in the e-application section, from October 26 to November 20, 2026).• Documents relating to project proposals submitted in person, by post, or by email will not be accepted.Contact information:Agency on State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Yasamal District, Huseyn Javid Avenue, Block 520, Building 20.office@ngoagency.gov.az  https://azertag.az/en/xeber/world_economic_forum_highlights_azerbaijan_as_middle_corridors_future_digital_trade_hub-4480995 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:53:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACThe World Economic Forum (WEF) has published a report titled “Unlocking Azerbaijan’s TradeTech Potential”, in collaboration with the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR Azerbaijan) under Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy.This white paper presents a TradeTech analysis conducted by the World Economic Forum and the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Azerbaijan between July 2025 and May 2026 as part of the World Economic Forum TradeTech programme’s expansion across C4IR Network markets. It examines how technology can improve trade processes, digital infrastructure and access to trade finance, drawing on 28 stakeholder consultations across 18 institutions, policy review, international benchmarking and a validation workshop held in Baku, the country’s capital, in May 2026. The central finding is that Azerbaijan can build on the substantial progress already achieved. The next step is to strengthen the enabling layer that allows legal recognition, data exchange and ecosystem participation to work together across trade, finance and logistics.Three enabling priorities emerge from the analysis:Azerbaijan can further align its digital trade legal framework with emerging international standards. An approach aligned with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR)1 would support the legal use of electronic bills of lading, digital guarantees and other electronic trade documents in domestic and cross-border transactions. Legal certainty depends on both domestic law and partner jurisdictions’ practices. MLETR alignment would place Azerbaijan within an internationally recognized legal architecture and reduce the need for bilateral negotiation on document recognition.Azerbaijan can strengthen interoperability among existing government platforms and private-sector actors. A secure, consent-based application programming interface (API) layer would let banks, logistics operators, customs authorities, ports, start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) exchange data efficiently, enabling digital documentation, trade finance scoring, supply-chain visibility and risk-management tools.Azerbaijan can deepen market coordination, solution development and business adoption by mobilizing the institutions, companies, investors, founders, universities and SME-support bodies that build and use TradeTech solutions. Public–private coordination, testing environments, targeted skills development and SME awareness will help make national digital infrastructure accessible in everyday business operations.The analysis sets out 10 recommendations in two tiers.The first tier consists of five immediate actions that can be advanced in the first 12 months. These are:– Build a national TradeTech community– Launch a TradeTech regulatory sandbox– Run innovation challenges focused on practical trade problems– Signal Azerbaijan’s TradeTech ambition on international platforms and through partnerships– Create a rapid policy feedback loop among government, regulators and industryThe second tier consists of five structural reforms over 12–36 months. These are:– Adopt an electronic transferable records framework aligned with international practice– Transform the existing trade platforms into a national interoperability platform– Accelerate formalization through digital invoicing and reporting tools– Modernize the venture capital framework for technology and TradeTech investment– Launch a national SME digital trade adoption campaignAzerbaijan is well positioned to use TradeTech to implement its digital economy and the diversification of the non-oil sectors. Connecting existing assets into a trusted, interoperable and business-facing ecosystem would support SMEs, strengthen the Trans-Caspian East–West International Transport Corridor (the Middle Corridor) and reinforce Azerbaijan’s role as a regional transport, logistics and digital connectivity hub. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/leyla_aliyeva_familiarizes_herself_with_activities_of_social_sewing_facility_in_shamakhi-4481007 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:49:00 +0400 Shamakhi, October 26, AZERTAC Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Alena Aliyeva visited a social sewing facility operating in the city of Shamakhi on October 26.Leyla Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva were briefed on the facility’s activities, the employment opportunities it provides, and measures to support the employment of women in need of social assistance.It was noted that the facility was established as part of the “Support for the Social Development of Single Mothers” project, an initiative of the “Social Integration of Boarding School Graduates” Youth Public Union. It currently employs 21 women.Launched with state support and an initial workforce of 10 women, the enterprise expanded its operations by opening a branch in Goylar village of Shamakhi district. Nearly 50 women are now employed at the two facilities.In addition to single mothers, women from low-income families have also been offered employment at the facilities. The primary goal is to expand the workforce, create employment opportunities for more women, and contribute to the social well-being of more families.During the visit, Leyla Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva familiarized themselves with the women’s work and enquired about their activities. They also posed for photographs with the women working at the facility. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azerbaijan_to_participate_in_international_mining_and_metals_forum_in_uzbekistan-4480977 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:47:00 +0400 Astana, October 26, AZERTAC Azerbaijan will attend the 8th International Mining and Metals Forum - UIMF 2026, set to take place in Tashkent on October 27–28.The event will bring together more than 500 delegates from 19 countries.The forum’s main theme is “From Resources to Global Opportunities.” The program will feature seven sessions dedicated to the development of critical mineral extraction, the attraction of investments, the application of artificial intelligence in geological exploration, the use of autonomous systems in mining operations, and energy efficiency in the industry.The forum will be held at the Uzexpocentre exhibition complex with the support of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology and the Metallurgy Association. Elshan Rustamov Special correspondent https://azertag.az/en/xeber/nursery_kindergarten_inaugurated_in_goylar_village_of_shamakhi_district-4480986 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:42:00 +0400 Shamakhi, October 26, AZERTAC A newly constructed nursery-kindergarten was inaugurated in Goylar village of Shamakhi district on October 26.Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Alena Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony.They familiarized themselves with the facilities available at the nursery-kindergarten.Construction of the nursery-kindergarten was initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in 2025. The preschool facility is fully equipped with the necessary furniture and equipment, including visual aids.The outdoor area features gazebos and a children’s playground.Designed to accommodate 160 children, the nursery-kindergarten comprises separate bedrooms for boys and girls, group rooms, music and gymnastics halls, a kitchen, a canteen, medical rooms, and administrative and technical facilities.Landscaping work has been carried out, green areas have been laid out, decorative trees and shrubs have been planted, and modern lighting systems have been installed throughout the grounds.In an interview with AZERTAC, Aygun Mikayilova, head of the preschool facility, said that the village, which has a population of 7,750, previously had an old kindergarten with a capacity of 55 children. However, because the building had become dilapidated and unusable, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation built a new facility.The nursery-kindergarten has three age groups: 2–3, 3–4 and 4–5. A total of 17 people work at the facility, including 12 technical staff members and five teaching staff members. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/uzbek_sports_minister_tours_republican_velodrome-4480950 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:21:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACUzbekistan's Minister of Sports Adham Ikramov and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov visited the Republican Velodrome.Zaur Akhundov, President of the Azerbaijan Cycling Federation, and Sahib Alakbarov, the Federation’s First Vice-President, briefed the guests on the ongoing efforts to develop cycling in the country, as well as the modern facilities set up at the velodrome for athlete training.The ministers familiarized themselves with the training ground, the Cycling Museum, and the on-site mini-hotel designed to accommodate coaches and athletes.While observing the ongoing training sessions of young cyclists, the ministers familiarized themselves with the initiatives aimed at drawing the younger generation into the sport, developing their athletic skills, and ensuring their future growth into professional athletes.Highly appreciating the facilities and sports infrastructure at the Republican Velodrome, Adham Ikramov particularly underscored the importance of further expanding sports ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azerbaijan_the_holy_see_ink_memorandum_of_understanding-4480944 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:10:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACOn October 26, Azerbaijan and the Holy See signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Vatican.The memorandum was signed on behalf of the Holy See by Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and on behalf of Azerbaijan by Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office.Highlighting the significance of the memorandum, Cardinal Koovakad described the document as an important step toward deepening interreligious dialogue. He recalled his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan and particularly emphasized the high level of commitment to promoting peace and harmony in the country.Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade conveyed President Ilham Aliyev’s greetings to the Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Emphasizing the importance of the document signed with the Holy See, he also highlighted the significance of the Catholic church currently under construction in Baku, which is expected to be completed in 2027.The Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office stressed the importance of establishing an Apostolic Nunciature (the Embassy of Vatican) to Azerbaijan. He noted that equal conditions have been created for all religions in Azerbaijan. Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade also underlined that over the past time, Vatican News, the Holy See’s news agency, had occasionally published inaccurate information based on Armenian sources and presented concrete evidence in this regard.Cardinal Koovakad stated that he would immediately inform the relevant authorities about the matter and assured that the issue would be resolved. During the meeting, the parties also discussed prospects for cooperation between the Holy See and the Caucasus Muslims Office. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azerbaijans_chamber_of_accounts_and_vietnams_state_audit_office_explore_cooperation-4480911 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 20:52:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACA delegation from Azerbaijan, led by Vugar Gulmammadov, Chairman of the Chamber of Accounts, is visiting the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to participate in an international workshop entitled “Supreme Audit Institutions in a Changing World: Vision, Institutional Framework and Innovation in Hanoi.As part of the visit, Azerbaijani delegation met with a delegation led by Nguyen Huu Nghia, Auditor General of the State Audit Office of Vietnam.During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state of cooperation between the two supreme audit institutions and prospects for its further development, as well as opportunities for cooperation within international organizations.The sides also exchanged views on the improvement of state audit, the application of innovative approaches and digital technologies in audit processes, as well as the expansion of the exchange of professional experience. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/china_and_indonesia_to_hold_joint_counterterrorism_exercise-4480896 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 20:33:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC The Chinese and Indonesian armies will hold the "Sharp Knife-2026" joint counterterrorism exercise in Guangdong province from late October to early November, China Daily reported citing the Chinese Ministry of National Defense.The exercise will focus on joint counterterrorism and rescue operations in mountainous terrain, with training covering mountain climbing, specialized driving, helicopter fast-roping, close-quarters assault, and manned-unmanned coordination, the ministry stated.This exercise marks the third joint training in the series conducted by the two sides. It is expected to further deepen practical exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and enhance their joint operational capabilities, the ministry added. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/dutch_foreign_minister_briefed_on_developments_in_south_caucasus-4480893 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 20:31:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACThe Center for Analysis of International Relations and Multiculturalism hosted a meeting with a delegation led by Tom Berendsen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.The sides exchanged views on the current state of Azerbaijan-Netherlands relations, developments in the South Caucasus, as well as the regional peace agenda.Farhad Mammadov, Deputy Chair of the Board of the Center and coordinator of the "Bridge of Peace" initiative, briefed the delegation on the outcomes of the four meetings held so far as part of the initiative, the approaches of Azerbaijani and Armenian societies toward the peace process, as well as foreign interference in the developments taking place in the South Caucasus.Emphasizing Azerbaijan's commitment to peace, Mammadov noted that clarifying the fate of missing persons and addressing the landmine threat remain pressing issues. He said narratives damaging mutual trust pose an obstacle to securing sustainable peace.Sultan Zahidov, Senior Advisor at the Center, stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation between Azerbaijani and Dutch think tanks. He mentioned that the Center seeks to intensify relations with European think tanks and expand its cooperation.Zahidov stressed the importance of the Azerbaijan-EU Think Tank Forum scheduled to be held in Brussels on October 27, co-organized with the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations. He also highlighted discussions organized by the Center in partnership with the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland) and the LINKS Europe Foundation on topical issues on the European and Azerbaijani agendas.Dutch Minister Tom Berendsen underlined that advancing people-to-people contacts and confidence-building play a crucial role in strengthening the foundations of lasting peace. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/top_stories_update-4480899 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 20:00:00 +0400       AZERTAC presents the top news as of 20:00 today:           Baku, October 26, AZERTAC President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received UN High Representative for Alliance of Civilizations President Ilham Aliyev received UN Office of Counter-Terrorism representative Alexander Zuev President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received OIC Secretary-General President Ilham Aliyev received Secretary-General of UN Tourism First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva congratulated People's Artist Farhad Khalilov on his 80th birthday Baku hosts discussions on promoting peace and combating disinformation Azerbaijan, Netherlands explore roadmap for 2026–2028 OIC Secretary-General visits ASAN Khidmet Center in Baku AZERTAC awarded for information support at 12th Baku International Book Fair Azerbaijani boxers take two bronze medals at U19 World Championships Value of Azerbaijan’s crude oil exports to India surges more than sevenfold – GRAPH https://azertag.az/en/xeber/romanian_media_highlights_memorial_to_romanian_prisoners_of_war_in_azerbaijan-4480848 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:49:00 +0400 Bucharest, October 26, AZERTAC Romania’s Evenimentul Zilei publication has published an article highlighting a memorial in Goygol, Azerbaijan, dedicated to 169 Romanian prisoners of war who died in Soviet captivity following the Second World War.According to the report, the memorial commemorates Romanian prisoners of war who died at NKVD detention camp No. 223 between 1944 and 1948.The memorial was unveiled on October 22, 2025, at Khanlar Cemetery No. 1 in Goygol.The article also quoted Vasile Soare, Romania’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, who stressed the importance of preserving the memory of Romanian prisoners of war who died during the Second World War while in Soviet captivity. Igbal Hajiyev Special correspondent https://azertag.az/en/xeber/baku_hosts_discussions_on_promoting_peace_and_combating_disinformation-4480191 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:42:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC A special session entitled “The Language of Peace and Combating Disinformation” was held at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art as part of the Baku Culture and Media Dialogue Platform.Organized as part of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, the session focused on the media’s role in promoting peace, combating disinformation, and strengthening global media’s responsibility for fostering intercultural dialogue.The event brought together heads of media institutions, as well as local and foreign journalists.Addressing the session, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, said: “Following the 2023 war, the Government of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev demonstrated strategic foresight and political commitment by, first and foremost, initiating the signing of a peace agreement with Armenia. This was not an easy decision for the Azerbaijani people.”Noting that proposing a peace agenda immediately after the war required considerable commitment, the presidential assistant said that the Government of Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev had taken this initiative.“It was right here that we took a crucial step towards establishing lasting peace and ending the war. It was the opposing side that resisted and spread disinformation. All the fundamental principles of the peace agreement were drafted by Azerbaijan,” Hikmet Hajiyev emphasized.The presidential assistant underscored that people must be honest when speaking about Azerbaijan-Armenia relations.“There are certain bitter memories that we cannot simply close our eyes to and erase from the memory of the Azerbaijani people. These memories also become part of our history and culture,” Hajiyev said.According to the presidential assistant, Azerbaijan has no intention of seeking revenge; however, much work remains to be done to ensure lasting peace.He further noted that artificial intelligence and social media, as well as their integration, are making it increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. He added that disinformation, artificial intelligence and certain other factors can pose challenges in this regard.“First of all, we have to acknowledge that disinformation is not a new phenomenon, don’t we? Even thousands of years ago, disinformation and myths were integral parts of strategies. Today, however, disinformation and all related elements are becoming part of a broader hybrid strategy affecting countries and societies,” Hikmet Hajiyev emphasized.The presidential aide underscored that the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue contributes to broader intercultural and inter-civilizational dialogue.He stressed that dialogue between cultures and civilizations was needed now more than ever.“However, the focus should not be limited to inter-civilizational dialogue, as dialogue within civilizations was equally important. In this regard, the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue would provide an additional platform for broader discussions,” Hajiyev added. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/mozambican_president_daniel_chapo_calls_for_cooperation_to_protect_africas_strategic_minerals-4480830 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:37:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has called for stronger cooperation among African countries and international organizations to protect the continent’s natural resources amid growing international competition for strategic minerals, natural gas and oil, AIM (Agência de Informação de Moçambique) reported.Speaking at the 12th Tana Forum in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Chapo argued that geopolitical rivalries and the global energy transition require African countries to coordinate their efforts to ensure that natural resources contribute to the development of the countries that possess them.The head of state drew attention to the timing of the discovery of major natural gas reserves in Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado in 2016 and the emergence of terrorism in the region in 2017, suggesting that the proximity of the two events was too striking to ignore.“We discovered gas reserves in 2016 in Cabo Delgado, and around the same time, terrorism appeared in 2017. It is too much of a coincidence that wherever resources are discovered, terrorism also appears,” Chapo said, calling for African countries to unite to protect their resources.Speaking at a high-level panel entitled “Building an African Model for Peace and Sovereignty in an Era of Geopolitical Rivalry”, which also featured Ghanaian President John Mahama and Kenyan Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Chapo also called for reform of the United Nations Security Council to grant Africa permanent representation.“The continent’s absence from these positions limits its participation in decisions on international peace and security. The African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other regional organizations must strengthen their role in preventing and resolving conflicts,” he said.Referring to Mozambique’s fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado, Chapo highlighted regional military cooperation, bilateral collaboration with Rwanda, coordination with Tanzania and the involvement of local forces.He also thanked SADC countries that contributed to the regional military mission, SAMIM, and stressed the importance of continued security cooperation with Kigali.He added that Tanzanian forces deployed along the border help prevent insurgents from entering Mozambican territory.According to Chapo, Mozambique’s experience demonstrates the importance of combining regional cooperation, bilateral agreements and community participation in combating armed violence.Areas previously occupied by insurgents had been freed from terrorist control, although sporadic attacks continued. Chapo acknowledged that the violence continued to displace people and create a need for humanitarian assistance. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/turkpas_role_in_developing_relations_among_turkic_states_discussed-4480827 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:36:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC On October 26, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) Ambassador Ramil Hasan met with Kürşad Zorlu, Deputy Chairman of Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), responsible for relations with Turkic states and a member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, during his official visit to Türkiye.During the meeting, the importance of further developing the fraternal relations and strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Türkiye was underscored. It was noted that the unity and solidarity of the Turkic World constitute an important national policy priority, with Azerbaijan and Türkiye serving as role models and leading advocates for other brotherly Turkic states.The importance of TURKPA as a key platform for strengthening interparliamentary cooperation, bringing legislation closer into alignment, safeguarding the national interests of its member states, and promoting joint efforts to counter forces seeking to undermine the unity of the Turkic World was also emphasized.Kürşad Zorlu highlighted the importance of relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye for the Turkic World as a whole. Expressing appreciation for TURKPA’s activities in this regard, he stated that Türkiye would continue to support the Assembly’s work.Ambassador Ramil Hasan provided detailed information on the 15th Meeting of the Council of the Assembly and the 15th Plenary Session of TURKPA, held in Bishkek. Referring to TURKPA’s role as an important interparliamentary organization bringing together the speakers of parliament and members of parliament of the brotherly Turkic states, the Secretary General underscored the importance of further strengthening the fraternal relations and strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Türkiye.Highlighting the role of Azerbaijan and Türkiye as two influential Turkic states on the international stage, Ambassador Ramil Hasan stressed the importance of aligning their common national interests and enhancing solidarity to further consolidate the unity of the Turkic World. He reaffirmed TURKPA’s readiness to continue contributing to the further development of cooperation in this regard. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/kyrgyz_delegation_keen_to_learn_about_digitalization_of_azerbaijani_prosecutor_generals_office-4480818 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:32:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC As part of the Third Ministerial Meeting of Heads of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Agencies of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), scheduled to be held in Baku on October 27–28, Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev met with a delegation led by Chingiz Akhmatov, First Deputy Prosecutor General of Kyrgyzstan.During the meeting, Kamran Aliyev emphasized that the shared Turkic roots, religious and cultural values that unite the peoples of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan form a solid foundation for the friendly and fraternal relations between the two countries.Highlighting the pivotal role of reciprocal visits by the heads of state in developing bilateral ties, the Prosecutor General stressed the significance of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov’s visits to Azerbaijan in May 2026 to attend the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), and on October 14–15 to participate in the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).The meeting also recalled Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Kyrgyzstan on September 1 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, as well as the outcomes of the visit.The parties exchanged views on the current state and prospects of cooperation between the prosecution authorities of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, both bilaterally and within international organizations.Expressing his gratitude for the warm reception, Chingiz Akhmatov emphasized the importance of further expanding ties between the prosecution authorities of the two countries, improving mutual legal assistance mechanisms, and strengthening joint efforts.The Kyrgyz delegation also expressed interest in learning about the digitalization of the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General’s Office. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/sustainable_fitch_affirms_socars_esg_rating_at_3_increases_esg_entity_score-4480788 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:10:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC Sustainable Fitch, one of the leading international rating agencies, has affirmed the ESG Rating of SOCAR at ‘3’, while raising the Company’s ESG Entity Score from 41 to 43.The assessment by Sustainable Fitch recognized SOCAR’s achievements in strengthening its environmental, social and governance (ESG) management system and broadening its ESG disclosures. These achievements are grounded in leading international standards and practices and reflect the expectations of international investors and financial institutions for transparency, comparability and high-quality reporting.Sustainable Fitch also highlighted SOCAR’s progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing a systematic approach to managing its environmental impact. Despite the environmental challenges inherent to the oil and gas sector, the assessment results indicate that SOCAR has been strengthening its efforts in decarbonization and environmental responsibility.In the social pillar, Sustainable Fitch acknowledged SOCAR’s corporate approaches, grounded in internationally recognized standards, to managing human rights and labor relations, as well as its initiatives to support local communities. At the same time, the assessment identified limited disclosure of information on third parties, including contractors, as one of the areas for improvement.In the governance pillar, Sustainable Fitch took into account the availability of statements from the independent auditor, the Company’s two-tier governance structure, and its risk management system, which covers all of the Company’s operations and is based on the principles of the ISO 31000 international standard.The assessment results reflect SOCAR’s achievements in advancing its ESG management and enhancing the transparency of its corporate reporting. Enhancing its sustainability management practices, monitoring key performance indicators, and improving disclosure remain important priorities for the Company. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/north_korea_calls_demilitarized_military_zone_mine_explosion_a__039fabrication_039_by_south-4480758 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:02:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACNorth Korea has told the UN Security Council that a mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone was a "fabrication" by South Korea, Anadolu Agency reported, citing the local media.North Korea's permanent representative to the UN sent a letter to the Security Council president Sunday, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA.The letter came amid tensions on the Korean Peninsula after three South Korean soldiers were wounded in a mine explosion on Sept. 21.Seoul blamed Pyongyang for the incident and called for the restoration of military talks. North Korea rejected the accusations and has yet to respond to the South Korean Defense Ministry's offer to resume communication.Pyongyang's letter followed a similar communication from South Korea to the Security Council, demanding an apology from the North over the incident, the Korea Herald newspaper reported.The exchange came as South Korea and the US began joint air drills Monday, a day after Yonhap News reported that North Korean troops were seen conducting drills with a self-propelled howitzer in coastal border areas of Hwanghae province.North Korea's letter described the mine explosion as a "sinister obstructive move" by South Korea aimed at portraying Pyongyang's border fortifications as a military invasion.It also accused Seoul of attempting to delay the fortification work and evade responsibility for escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.The letter said the fortification of North Korea's southern border was a "legitimate and just exercise of its sovereignty" in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.Pyongyang described the work as a defensive measure against external threats of aggression."If the RoK violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DPRK despite our warnings, the former will be held wholly accountable for all the ensuing consequences," the letter said.The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is North Korea's official name, while the Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea.South Korea's Air Force said Monday that joint air drills with the US were focused on "counter-air and air interdiction missions aimed at enhancing wartime joint operations."The two-week Freedom Flag exercise is being held at Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan, about 180 kilometers (112 miles) southwest of Seoul.The 1950s Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically at war.Some 39,000 US military personnel are stationed in South Korea under a mutual defense pact. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azertac_awarded_for_information_support_at_12th_baku_international_book_fair-4480767 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:00:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC The 12th Baku International Book Fair hosted an award ceremony recognizing active participants and organizations in various categories.Addressing the event, Orkhan Fikratoglu, adviser to the Minister of Culture, highlighted the role of books and reading in society’s moral and intellectual development. He noted that this year’s Baku International Book Fair featured 59 organizations from 32 foreign countries and 148 Azerbaijani institutions, publishers and printing centres. He also stressed the importance of developing the book industry, supporting publishers and authors, and updating relevant legislation.The event was followed by an award ceremony.SOCAR was honored for supporting the 12th Baku International Book Fair.Sabir Rustamkhanli and Reyhan Yusifgizi were honored in the “Honorary Author” category, while Parinoush Saniee and British writer Darren Simpson received “Honorary Guest” awards.Karamat Boyukchol was named “Most Read Author,” Qanun Publishing House won the “Most Active Publisher” award, and Libra Kitab Publishing House received the “Most Creative Stand” award.The Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) received an award from the Organizing Committee of the 12th Baku International Book Fair in recognition of its active involvement and media coverage of the event. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/president_ilham_aliyev_received_secretary_general_of_un_tourism_video-4480737 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:55:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC On October 26, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).Shaikha Al Nuwais expressed her gratitude to the President for the reception.During the meeting, the sides praised the cooperation between Azerbaijan and UN Tourism and discussed state support for tourism development in Azerbaijan, as well as the creation of modern tourism infrastructure in the regions beyond the capital. They noted that these efforts, together with the prevailing peace and security in Azerbaijan, are of great importance for tourism development, adding that the country is an attractive destination for tourists.The meeting also included an exchange of views on prospects for further cooperation. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/back_to_moon_nasa_races_toward_2028_astronaut_landing-4480716 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:45:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACNASA is moving fast on its plans to build a moon base and return astronauts to the lunar surface in as little as two years, according to Daily Sabah.Administrator Jared Isaacman said Friday that the space agency is still on track to launch Artemis III next summer on a docking exercise with Elon Musk's and Jeff Bezos' lunar landers. The two-week mission featuring four astronauts will be confined to orbit around Earth — no moon trip this time.The all-important Artemis IV — NASA's first moon landing by astronauts since Apollo — remains scheduled for 2028, Isaacman said. His update came six months after the successful Artemis II flight around the moon by four astronauts, humanity's first lunar trip in more than half a century.NASA will keep its options open as long as possible before choosing between SpaceX and Blue Origin for the Artemis IV lunar lander, according to officials.Isaacman said the "new space race” to land astronauts on the moon – racing against China now versus the Soviet Union during the Apollo era – will be "much closer than it ever needed to be” because of slow going in past years.But the space agency is now accelerating its pace, he noted, eliminating endless meetings and bureaucratic inertia, as SpaceX, Blue Origin and other companies scramble around the clock to meet the deadlines and NASA bolsters its workforce.Adopting Apollo's urgent and intense approach from 1968 through 1972, a period which saw 24 astronauts fly to the moon and 12 land on it, is not "tech industry pixie dust or some new management philosophy,” Isaacman said."It's about our own history. It's a playbook this agency knows really well, the same playbook that went from Apollo 7 splashdown to Apollo 11 in just nine months,” he said during a news conference at Kennedy Space Center.Both landers will be launched next summer for docking practice by the three NASA astronauts and one Italian who will blast into orbit aboard NASA's Orion capsule. The mission will require three launches in quick succession from Cape Canaveral. Orion will dock first with Blue Origin's Blue Ghost about 270 miles (435 kilometers) above Earth, then with SpaceX's Starship in a slightly lower orbit."As a rocket nerd, it's going to be pretty awesome,” said Amit Kshatriya, NASA's associate administrator.NASA's planned moon base near the moon's south pole – nowhere near Apollo's more equatorial locales – should see its first launch by year's end. The Pittsburgh company whose first lunar landing mission fizzled in 2024 will attempt a "take two,” this time aiming for the moon's south polar region with a rover and other experiments. More landers, rovers and orbiters will follow, so many that by the time the first Artemis moonwalkers arrive, their moon car will already be there waiting for them, according to officials.To speed up and reduce risk, the initial moonwalkers will wear a lighter, less complex spacesuit than the one still under development by Axiom Space for longer, later excursions. Axiom will test these new so-called "sortie suits” on the International Space Station next year. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azerbaijan_netherlands_explore_roadmap_for_2026_2028-4479732 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:38:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC On October 26, Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Tom Berendsen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.The meeting focused on the current state and prospects of Azerbaijan-Netherlands relations, strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade and investment ties, and exploring new opportunities for cooperation in energy, transport, agriculture, water management, innovation, shipbuilding, and humanitarian affairs.Highlighting that 2027 will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands, Jeyhun Bayramov underscored the two countries’ mutual interest in strengthening existing bilateral ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation.The meeting also stressed the importance of further developing interparliamentary cooperation and improving the bilateral legal framework.The ministers welcomed the adoption of the 2026–2028 Roadmap for the Development of Azerbaijan-Netherlands Relations, which aims to advance political dialogue and practical cooperation across various fields.The meeting also addressed ways to promote mutual investment, make effective use of the newly established Azerbaijan-Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, strengthen ties between business communities, and implement joint projects.The Dutch foreign minister was briefed on Azerbaijan’s growing role in the Middle Corridor, as well as the opportunities offered by the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Alat Free Economic Zone.The foreign ministers emphasized the importance of expanding educational, academic and scientific cooperation, fostering ties between higher education institutions, organizing training programmes, and implementing joint cultural and humanitarian initiatives.The meeting also addressed bilateral cooperation within international organizations, as well as other issues on the regional and global agendas.On regional developments, Jeyhun Bayramov briefed his Dutch counterpart on the current situation in the South Caucasus, efforts to advance the normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, and the peace process.Minister Bayramov emphasized the need to remove from the Armenian Constitution provisions containing territorial claims against Azerbaijan as a prerequisite for signing the initialed peace agreement.He also briefed the Dutch foreign minister on Azerbaijan’s ongoing large-scale restoration and reconstruction efforts in its liberated territories, as well as measures to ensure the safe and dignified return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands.The ministers also discussed the humanitarian challenges posed by landmines, highlighting the importance of eliminating the ongoing threat they pose to human life and the obstacles they create for reconstruction efforts and the return of former internally displaced persons.The meeting also covered other bilateral and regional issues of mutual concern.The ministers then made press statements on the outcomes of the meeting. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/aztu_presents_bookloop_platform_at_baku_international_book_exhibition-4480665 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:25:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACAs part of the 12th Baku International Book Exhibition, the presentation of the BookLoop project was held.The event was organized by the Library Information Center (LIC) of the Azerbaijan Technical University (AzTU).Speaking at the event, Matanat Alakbarova, Director of the AzTU Library Information Center, highlighted the significance of the exhibition, the promotion of digital innovations at the university, and the integration of modern technologies into library services. She emphasized the role of innovative approaches in developing a reading culture among youth.Following that, the authors of the project—AzTU students Nihad Aliyev, Sanan Mirzayev, Mansuma Garayeva, and Said Rustamli—presented the BookLoop platform. During the presentation, detailed information was provided regarding the platform's functional features, operating principles, and the benefits it offers to users.It was noted that BookLoop aims to digitalize book exchanges among students, increase interest in reading through gamification elements, and strengthen social interactions.At the end of the event, the future development prospects of the platform and the possibilities of its application in other higher education institutions were discussed, and participants' questions were answered.BookLoop, created by AzTU students, is the first digital platform of this format developed in the country. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/azerbaijani_entrepreneurs_participate_in_trading_transactions_on_turkmen_exchange-4480620 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:07:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC Last week, 10 transactions were registered at the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. Representatives of the Azerbaijani business community also participated in the transactions.According to AZERTAC, citing Turkmenportal, entrepreneurs from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Serbia purchased Portland cement, cottonseed oil, wheat flour, glycyrrhizic acid derived from licorice root, as well as cotton yarn and fabric, using foreign currency.The total value of the transactions exceeded $9.97 million. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/2_killed_as_storm_boelo_batters_uk_leaves_90000_without_electricity-4480593 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:55:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACTwo people were killed as Storm Boelo battered parts of the UK with strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding, leaving around 90,000 customers without electricity Sunday evening, Anadolu Agency reported, citing local media.A 60-year-old man died after being struck by a falling tree near Castle Douglas in Dumfries, Scotland, while a man in his 20s was killed when a tree fell onto his car in north London, Sky News reported, citing authorities.Two women were also hospitalized after being struck by a falling tree, the report said.Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, and northern England experienced the worst of the storm, which brought winds reaching 84 miles per hour (135 kilometers per hour) and widespread disruption over the weekend.According to the Energy Networks Association, around 90,000 customers remained without electricity as of 7 pm local time (1800GMT) Sunday.Some parts of Scotland recorded rainfall equivalent to around one-third of their average monthly total over the weekend.The UK Met Office warned of further unsettled weather early this week, with conditions expected to improve Monday before another weather system brings heavy rain and strong winds Tuesday.A yellow weather warning for strong winds was issued for parts of northern England, Scotland, and northeastern Northern Ireland, effective from 3 am Tuesday until midnight.Flood warnings, transport disruptionFlooding concerns persisted across the UK as authorities issued multiple warnings and alerts.The Environment Agency issued 10 flood warnings and 65 flood alerts in England, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency reported 10 warnings and 11 alerts.Natural Resources Wales said nine flood alerts were in place.Transport services were also severely disrupted, particularly railway networks in Scotland.Some flights were diverted or canceled at Leeds Bradford Airport, while fallen trees, damaged road surfaces, and cables on carriageways forced closures on major roads in Scotland. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/why_do_planes_keep_circling_before_landing_the_un_has_a_plan_to_fix_it-4480572 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:50:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTACAir traffic delays cost billions and turn journeys into ordeals. Some countries are already proving that better coordination saves thousands of flying hours and cuts emissions – and the UN’s aviation agency wants the rest of the world to follow, according to the organization.Most frequent flyers know the feeling: the plane begins its descent but, instead of heading for the runway, starts circling overhead.It isn’t necessarily a fault or bad weather. Often, it is a holding pattern – a manoeuvre that keeps aircraft airborne until there is room for them to land.It is one symptom of increasingly crowded skies, where a storm, an emergency or a closed route in one place can cause delays thousands of kilometres away.The bill is enormous. In Europe alone, air traffic management delays cost an estimated $2.3 billion or more in 2025, according to EUROCONTROL, the continent’s air navigation body.Green lightWhat if countries coordinated their flights the way a city synchronises its traffic lights?That is the idea behind a push by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN agency that sets global aviation standards.“If the traffic lights work independently, traffic becomes chaos and there are jams on every corner,” ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar told UN News. “If you get a green light on one street and are stopped at the next, the backlog builds immediately. The same happens with air traffic across the world’s airspace.”The fix starts long before landing. If an airport knows it cannot take more aircraft for a while, it can coordinate with other airports to hold back departures, rather than leave planes circling overhead.This approach, known as air traffic flow management, lets airlines, airports, controllers and weather services share information and make decisions together.Need to knowSeveral countries already use it, but the benefits are limited when national systems don’t talk to each other. After five days of talks in Montreal convened by ICAO, governments and industry backed a faster global rollout.For passengers, that should mean earlier warning of cancellations and delays as well as quicker recovery when things go wrong.“When people get to the airport, wait all day and nobody tells them anything, that creates huge problems,” Mr. Salazar said.Disruption snowballs, he explained. A problem lasting an hour or a day knocks on to every flight scheduled after it and today’s system is slow to bounce back.Minutes, money and fuelThe gains are already measurable. In the Americas, collaborative trials supported by ICAO saved more than 265,000 minutes of flying time in 2026, about 4,400 hours, and over $38.9 million.They also saved some 13,330 tonnes of fuel and avoided 42,160 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, a contribution to the goal of net zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050.In Europe, a EUROCONTROL programme anticipating weather and congestion avoided around 3.1 million minutes of delay between May and August 2026, saving an estimated $448 million and making the network 14 per cent more stable on the worst days.Sharing is the hard partBrazil and Colombia have run such systems for years, Mr. Salazar said, but largely at national level while international flights cross many countries’ airspace.“Technology alone is not the answer,” he said. Information has to be shared and often it isn’t, sometimes for lack of will, sometimes for lack of the means to transmit it in real time.“A flight from Europe to Australia or New Zealand passes through four or five regions, different continents and that requires excellent coordination which doesn’t exist today,” he said. “No country or region acting alone can manage that.”ICAO, with 193 member States, sets common standards and provides technical help so countries can coordinate regardless of resources. New international rules on flow management are due in November 2030, with regional workshops planned for 2027.The pressure is mounting. ICAO projects air travel could reach 12.4 billion passengers by 2050.A busier skyOther challenges are piling up. Conflicts force airlines to reroute around danger zones, creating new bottlenecks. Drones, air taxis, rocket launches and unplanned re-entries of objects from orbit all demand closer coordination.For Mr. Salazar, the goal is simple: “an air transport system that reaches every person in the world, so that everyone sees the benefits of being connected.” https://azertag.az/en/xeber/participation_of_indonesian_companies_in_garabaghs_reconstruction_explored-4480569 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:50:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Economy Anar Akhundov met with Todotua Pasaribu, Vice Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry of Indonesia, Vice Chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board, and Vice Commissioner of Pertamina.During the meeting, the sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Azerbaijan and Indonesia in energy, petrochemicals, industry, trade and investment, as well as the implementation of joint projects between SOCAR and Pertamina and the involvement of Indonesian companies in the reconstruction of Garabagh.Anar Akhundov highlighted the opportunities available to investors in Azerbaijan’s industrial zones, including the Alat Free Economic Zone.The parties also discussed prospects for cooperation on projects being implemented in Garabagh and East Zangezur, public-private partnerships, renewable energy, logistics and education.They exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in trade and economic relations, developing ties between business communities and other issues of mutual interest.Established in 1957, Pertamina is Indonesia’s state-owned energy company. It operates in oil and natural gas exploration and production, refining, petrochemicals, and the supply and distribution of energy products. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/pakistan_calls_for_joint_global_research_on_glaciers_and_mountain_risks-4480551 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:50:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC Federal Minister for Climate Change of Pakistan Dr Musadik Malik on Monday called for international cooperation in glacier and mountain research, warning that the impacts of climate change on mountain regions could provide critical insights into risks facing other parts of the world in the coming years, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.Addressing a pre-COP31 dialogue, Dr Musadik Malik said that the world needed joint scientific research and coordinated efforts to understand changes in glaciers, mountain ecosystems and the global ice system.“The first hit is taken by the mountains,” the minister said, inviting the international community to collaborate with Pakistan on mountain research to better understand the consequences of climate change.He said that studying changes in mountain regions could help scientists anticipate potential impacts on plains and polar regions, including the Arctic, and prepare communities before they were exposed to similar risks.Musadik Malik proposed the establishment of a virtual Green University to facilitate international collaboration and research. He said Pakistan had already reached agreements with two countries and was seeking to expand the initiative through further international partnerships.The proposed research, he said, should extend beyond the physical and scientific aspects of climate change to examine its social, economic and human consequences, including displacement, infant and child mortality, and maternal mortality.Highlighting the risks posed by melting glaciers and glacial lake outburst floods, the minister recounted the destruction caused by the Shishper glacier-related disaster in Hasanabad, Hunza, where a long-established community suffered extensive losses.He cited the experience of a resident, Zahra, whose family escaped the disaster, but lost livestock and essential community infrastructure. Recalling the account of a child whose childhood, she said, lay buried beneath the rubble of her home, Malik said glacier-related disasters could destroy livelihoods and disrupt entire communities.He said that Pakistan had identified around 13,500 glaciers and was working to assess risks associated with glacial lakes and potential outburst floods. He referred to ongoing cooperation with Italy on glacier research and other partnerships with international organizations and countries, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom.The minister said that the global ice system was interconnected, encompassing glaciers in mountain regions and ice in the polar areas and the Arctic, making international cooperation essential to understanding and addressing climate-related changes.He also highlighted the disparity between countries contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and those suffering the consequences of climate change, arguing that vulnerable countries needed greater access to climate finance.Musadik Malik said that rising temperatures, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, were accelerating glacier melt and increasing the risks faced by communities living in mountain regions.He stressed that countries needed to work together on research, risk assessment and preparedness to better understand the changing climate and reduce its impacts on vulnerable populations. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/oic_secretary_general_visits_asan_khidmet_center_in_baku-4480548 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:49:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), visited the ASAN Khidmet Center in Baku.Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, briefed the OIC Secretary-General on the activities of the ASAN Khidmet centres, established on the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, and on innovative solutions introduced in the public service sector.It was noted that this Azerbaijani intellectual brand had already been exported to more than 50 countries.Highlighting the importance of the ASAN Khidmet model in delivering public services to citizens in a more accessible, efficient and innovative manner, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed noted that implementing this advanced practice in OIC member states could significantly improve the quality of public services and increase citizen satisfaction.The OIC Secretary-General subsequently familiarized himself with the activities of the INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center, the Mobile ASAN Service and the ABAD public legal entity. https://azertag.az/en/xeber/presidential_assistant_azerbaijan_has_no_intention_to_take_revenge-4480518 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 17:39:00 +0400 Baku, October 26, AZERTAC“We must be honest when speaking about the Azerbaijan-Armenia relations. There are certain bitter memories that we cannot simply close our eyes to and erase from the memory of the Azerbaijani people. These memories also become a part of our history and culture,” said Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, as he addressed a special session on “The Language of Peace and Combating Disinformation”.According to the Presidential Assistant, Azerbaijan has no intention to take revenge, however, there is still much work to do to ensure eternal peace.