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On February 9, 2026, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, head of the Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO), met with His Holiness Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and the Holy See, in Vatican City, AzerNEWS reports, citing the CMO Press Service.

The audience, held at the personal invitation of the Pope, was attended by religious leaders in Azerbaijan, including Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Ordinary of the Apostolic Prefecture of Azerbaijan; Milikh Yevdayev, head of the Mountain Jews Community of Azerbaijan; Robert Mobili, chairman of the Alban-Udi Christian Religious Community; and Zamir Isayev, leader of the Sephardic Jewish Community in Baku.

Pope Francis warmly welcomed the guests and praised the joint visit of Azerbaijan’s religious communities as a remarkable example of coexistence in an environment of peace and human brotherhood.

Sheikh-ul-Islam Pashazade conveyed the greetings of President Ilham Aliyev, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, and the people of Azerbaijan to the Pope. He noted the high level of Azerbaijan-Vatican relations, established by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, continued by President Ilham Aliyev, and supported by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva.

He also recalled the historic visit of the late Pope Francis to Azerbaijan, highlighting his engagement with leaders of different religious communities and his appreciation for Azerbaijan’s multicultural values and exemplary interfaith environment.

Sheikh-ul-Islam Pashazade expressed satisfaction with the current level of interfaith cooperation between the Vatican and the Caucasian Muslims Office and emphasized the importance of further deepening these relations, noting that the establishment of a CMO representation in Vatican City could make a significant contribution to this process.

Azerbaijan’s telecommunications and postal services regulator, the Information and Communication Technologies Agency (ICTA), has launched the next phase of digital transformation in the country’s internet services market, AzerNEWS reports.

Under the initiative, ICTA has developed two new services – ‘Broadband Mapping’ and ‘E-Connection’ – which will allow users to select, compare, and apply for internet services from providers through a single digital platform.

The project was presented during a meeting with telecommunications operators and internet service providers (ISPs). Speaking at the event, ICTA Deputy Chairman Jeyhun Huseynzade stated that the initiative is expected to have a fundamental impact on the market ecosystem.

Through the Broadband Mapping platform, citizens and businesses will be able to identify which providers offer actual services at specific addresses using an interactive map. Complementing this, the E-Connection service offers several key features:

Transparent comparison: Users can compare tariff plans and technical parameters from different providers in one place;

Direct application: Electronic connection requests can be submitted to selected providers within seconds;

Application tracking: Users can monitor the entire process – from request submission to service activation – via a personal account;

Security: Full legal reliability is ensured through digital identification for citizens and enhanced electronic signatures for operators.

ICTA noted that the model is based on best practices from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the EU’s BEREC framework. The platform also meets the World Bank’s B-READY assessment criteria for ‘informed choice’ and a ‘transparent market.’

Operators participating in the project will gain promotional visibility on the state platform and direct access to customers at no additional cost. Providers that fail to submit their data will not be displayed on the map, effectively excluding them from the digital choice environment.

According to ICTA, the initiative is not an administrative mandate but an economic model designed to encourage greater transparency and customer-oriented behavior among market participants. Internet service providers that were informed at the beginning of 2025 may join the project at any time.

The E-Connection service is currently operating in test mode, with full public rollout planned for March 2026.

The dates for the sacred Laylat al-Qadr nights during Ramadan have been announced, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a special calendar detailing daily prayers as well as imsak and iftar times, the first night of Laylat al-Qadr will fall on the night of March 7-8, corresponding to the 8th of Ramadan.

The other significant nights will be observed on the nights of March 9-10, March 11-12, and March 15-16. This year, the first day of Ramadan in Azerbaijan began on February 19.

Note that Ramadan celebrations in Azerbaijan will take place on March 20 and 21.

Ramadan was established as a holy month for Muslims following the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE, during the occasion known as Laylat al-Qadr, often called “the Night of Power.”

During this sacred month, Muslims around the world observe fasting from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food and drink, as well as striving to avoid thoughts and behaviors considered impure under Islamic teachings. Fasting is obligatory for all believers, with exceptions for minors, the elderly, the ill, the mentally ill, pregnant or nursing women, travelers, and soldiers.

At sunset, Muslims gather in homes or mosques to break their fast with a meal called iftar. Mosques often host large iftar gatherings, particularly for the poor and needy. After breaking the fast, Muslims perform the fourth of their five daily prayers, followed by dinner, and then attend the Isha prayer, the fifth daily prayer at the mosque.

The day concludes with a special voluntary prayer, often performed in congregation. During Ramadan, Muslims also dedicate time to reading the Quran, performing acts of charity, and engaging in worship.

The final ten days of Ramadan are considered especially sacred, with the 27th night holding particular significance as the Night of Power, when Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation. Many Muslims spend this night in prayer and reflection.

Ramadan ends with Eid ul-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-Breaking, observed 29 or 30 days after the start of the month. It is one of the two major religious holidays in the Muslim calendar. Families gather to celebrate, exchange gifts, prepare special pastries, visit the graves of relatives, and offer prayers in mosques.

In Azerbaijan, a predominantly Muslim country, Ramadan has been officially observed since 1993, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Even during the Soviet era, when all religious holidays were banned, Azerbaijani Muslims continued to fast.

For centuries, Azerbaijan has been a historical and cultural center of the Islamic world, with its people deeply committed to their religious, national, and moral values. Today, freedom of conscience and religion are fully protected under both local legislation and international law.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday about American talks with Iran, his office said Saturday. At the same time, Iran’s foreign minister threatened U.S. military bases in the region a day after the discussions, AzerNEWS reports via CNBC.

‘The prime minister believes that all negotiations must include limiting the ballistic missiles, and ending support for the Iranian axis,’ Netanyahu’s office said in a brief statement, referring to Tehran’s support for militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. Trump and Netanyahu last met in December.

There was no immediate White House comment.

The U.S. and the Islamic Republic of Iran held indirect talks on Friday in Oman that appeared to return to the starting point on how to approach discussions over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Trump called the talks ‘very good’ and said more were planned for early next week. Washington was represented by Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to reach a deal on its nuclear program after sending the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships to the region amid Tehran’s crackdown on nationwide protests that killed thousands.

Gulf Arab nations fear an attack could spark a regional war, with memories fresh of the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June.

For the first time in negotiations with Iran, the U.S. on Friday brought its top military commander in the Middle East to the table. U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, head of the military’s Central Command, then visited the USS Abraham Lincoln on Saturday with Witkoff and Kushner, the command said in a statement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told journalists Friday that ‘nuclear talks and the resolution of the main issues must take place in a calm atmosphere, without tension and without threats.’ He said that diplomats would return to their capitals, signaling that this round of negotiations was over.

On Saturday, Araghchi told the Al Jazeera satellite news network that if the U.S. attacks Iran, his country doesn’t have the ability to strike the U.S., and therefore has to attack or retaliate against U.S. bases in the region.’

He said there is ‘very, very deep distrust’ after what happened during the previous talks, when the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites during last year’s Israel-Iran war.

Araghchi also said the ‘missile issue’ and other defense matters are ‘in no way negotiable, neither now nor at any time in the future.’

Tehran has maintained that these talks will be only on its nuclear program.

However, Al Jazeera reported that diplomats from Egypt, Turkey and Qatar offered Iran a proposal in which Tehran would halt enrichment for three years, send its highly enriched uranium out of the country and pledge to ‘not initiate the use of ballistic missiles.’

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the talks needed to include all those issues.

Azerbaijan is celebrating a three-decade legacy of success in Paralympic sports, Azernews reports citing the Azerbaijan National Paralympic Committee.

Some 38 athletes have earned medals at the Summer Paralympic Games, totaling 68 podium finishes: 27 gold, 21 silver, and 20 bronze. These accomplishments underscore the country’s commitment to supporting its Paralympians and fostering world-class performance.

In addition to their Paralympic triumphs, Azerbaijani athletes have excelled in international competitions, claiming 27 World Championship titles, including four in team events, and 55 European Championship titles, four of which came from team or relay events.

The Committee emphasizes that the 30-year journey reflects dedication, professional development, and a growing infrastructure for Paralympic sports. The Azerbaijani athletes exemplify resilience and excellence, and their achievements inspire the next generation.

The 30th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Paralympic Committee, celebrated on February 9, offers a moment to honor past accomplishments while looking forward to future success.

Note that Azerbaijan made its Paralympic Games debut at the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, competing in track and field and power lifting. In the same year, the National Paralympic Committee was established.

Since 1996, national paralympians have taken part in many international competitions and six Paralympic Games. They enriched the country’s medal haul with multiple awards.

The Azerbaijani Paralympic team has made significant progress since the Tokyo 2020 Games, where they won 14 medals, including 4 gold, 4 silver, and 6 bronze.

US-Azerbaijani trade relations have recently entered a new and more structured phase. The first bilateral business mission between Azerbaijan and the United States, organized toward the end of last month, marked an important milestone in institutionalizing economic dialogue between the two countries. The mission focused on key strategic sectors, including energy and digital transformation, defense and transport, agriculture and healthcare, finance, and investments – areas that reflect both Azerbaijan’s diversification agenda and US global commercial priorities.

Within the framework of the US Chamber of Commerce business mission to Azerbaijan, a high-level roundtable was held at the Ministry of Economy. The delegation was led by Kush Choksi, Senior Vice President of the US Chamber of Commerce for the Middle East, Central Asia, and Turkiye. During the discussions, it was emphasized that Azerbaijan-US relations, supported by the political will of both governments, have evolved to the level of a strategic partnership. This political foundation has created favorable conditions for broadening economic cooperation beyond its traditional energy-centered model.

From an analytical perspective, the emphasis on macroeconomic stability and sustainable development during the roundtable was not coincidental. Azerbaijan is positioning itself as a predictable and reform-oriented economy at a time when global investors are increasingly sensitive to risk, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory uncertainty. The country’s efforts to expand the non-oil and gas sector – combined with incentives for entrepreneurs, digitalization reforms, and investment-friendly policies -signal a clear intention to attract long-term, technology-driven foreign capital rather than short-term speculative inflows.

Transport and logistics also emerged as a strategic theme. Azerbaijan’s geographic location and expanding transport corridors offer US companies potential access to wider regional markets, including Central Asia and Europe. New transport connections are expected to increase Azerbaijan’s relevance not only as a trading partner but also as a transit hub, adding a geopolitical dimension to economic cooperation.

US company representatives expressed satisfaction with Azerbaijan’s business environment and signaled strong interest in deepening partnerships. The participation of executives from global corporations such as Apple, ExxonMobil, bp, Boeing, Visa, Mastercard, Shell, Meta, and Honeywell underscores the breadth of US commercial interest. This diversity suggests that bilateral relations are gradually moving from sector-specific engagement toward a more comprehensive economic partnership.

The current momentum can be traced back to the Memorandum of Understanding signed on August 8, 2025, which laid the groundwork for intensified cooperation in strategic investment and regional economic integration. Notably, the scope of cooperation now includes artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and advanced technologies – areas that could redefine the future trajectory of Azerbaijan-US economic relations.

Trade structure and current dynamics

Despite the growing political and strategic dialogue, trade figures indicate that Azerbaijan-US trade remains asymmetric and concentrated. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Azerbaijan exported a total of $27.2 billion in 2024, ranking 71st globally. Exports to the United States totaled $74.9 million, dominated by aluminum plating ($31.7 million), explosive ammunition ($8.13 million), petroleum resins ($6.51 million), ferroalloys ($6.79 million), and diamonds ($2.51 million).

This export structure reflects limited product diversification and highlights the challenge Azerbaijan faces in scaling up non-energy exports to the US market. While Azerbaijan is the largest US trading partner in the South Caucasus, its share in total US imports remains modest, indicating untapped potential rather than underperformance.

Historically, energy has been the backbone of bilateral economic relations. Since Azerbaijan regained independence in 1991, US companies have played a pivotal role in developing the country’s oil and gas sector. Over time, this cooperation has expanded, but energy still defines the strategic core of the relationship.

The United States is Azerbaijan’s second-largest investor, with over 250 US-invested companies registered in the country. Foundational agreements, including the 1993 Agreement on Commercial Relations and the 1997 Agreement on the Protection and Promotion of Mutual Investments, have provided legal stability and investor confidence. The Azerbaijan-US Economic Partnership Commission, established in 2007, has further strengthened institutional ties through regular meetings in Baku and Washington.

Trade trends: Rapid growth, structural imbalance

Trade statistics over recent years show rapid growth, particularly on the import side:

Year Import Export Trade turnover

2022 $479.8M $90.3M $570.1M

2023 $888.1M $16.0M $904.1M

2024 $1,617.93M $135.03M $1,752.96M

The sharp increase in trade turnover in 2024 indicates intensifying economic interaction. However, the persistent trade deficit highlights Azerbaijan’s reliance on US high-value imports such as machinery, aircraft, engines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and advanced technologies. While these imports support modernization and productivity gains, they also underline the need for Azerbaijan to enhance export competitiveness in value-added sectors.

Azerbaijan’s exports to the US – ranging from crude oil and agricultural products to carpets, textiles, chemical goods, and electronic equipment – remain fragmented. Expanding these exports will likely require compliance with stricter US standards, branding strategies, and deeper integration into global value chains.

Beyond trade: Technology and energy security

Cooperation in space and high technology represents another strategic layer of the relationship. Partnerships with US companies such as Orbital Sciences Corporation and Space Systems/Loral for the Azerspace-1 and Azerspace-2 satellites demonstrate that bilateral cooperation extends into advanced technological domains.

Energy cooperation remains the cornerstone. US participation in the ‘Contract of the Century’ and support for the Southern Gas Corridor underline Washington’s recognition of Azerbaijan’s role in regional and European energy security. Continued US involvement in projects such as Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli and the extension of production-sharing agreements signal that energy, while evolving, will remain central to the partnership.

In conclusion, US- Azerbaijan trade relations are transitioning from an energy-dominated model toward a more diversified and strategic framework. While trade volumes are growing rapidly, the qualitative transformation of exports and deeper integration into high-value sectors will determine the long-term sustainability of this relationship. If current reforms and investment initiatives translate into concrete projects, US -Azerbaijan economic cooperation may enter a new phase – one defined not only by energy security, but also by innovation, connectivity, and shared strategic interests.

Around 20,000 visitors are expected to attend Azerbaijan as part of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), which will bring together numerous international organizations, AzerNEWS reports, citing Azertag.

Elbay Gasimzade, Honored Architect and Chair of the Board of the Azerbaijan Union of Architects.

Several countries’ professional unions and relevant architectural bodies have also reached out to the Azerbaijan Union of Architects, seeking assistance with registration to participate in the forum, and preparations are already underway.

“Our participation in the event will take various forms. Key representatives of the Azerbaijan Union of Architects will take the stage as speakers in several panels and actively engage in discussions. At the same time, we are preparing two major exhibitions. The first will focus on Azerbaijan’s architectural heritage, while the second will showcase contemporary global architecture.

As you know, we have already organized the Baku International Architecture Competition seven times. The competition attracted 275 projects from around 50 countries, with 21 winners selected across seven categories. Currently, we are preparing a large-scale exhibition featuring all the winning projects from past competitions, which will be displayed during WUF13.

The primary goal of this exhibition is to demonstrate to the international community that Azerbaijan is recognized not only for its achievements in industry and the economy but also as a global hub for architecture and urban development,” Gasimzade emphasized.

The world-renowned photojournalist Reza Deghati has opened his exhibition, “Rising Light,” at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Azernews reports.

The exhibition was visited by Leyla Aliyeva, who was given a detailed overview of the collection by the photographer himself.

“Rising Light” showcases Azerbaijan’s citizens, landscapes, traditions, and the subtle rhythms of daily life through Reza Deghati’s lens. Each photograph is more than an image; it tells a living story that reflects the country’s spirit and light.

For Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), the exhibition symbolises the true essence of travel: the power to connect, communicate, and build bridges between cultures. Just as Deghati’s photographs bring together diverse stories and destinies, aviation bridges distances, uniting people and countries. The exhibition reminds visitors that travel begins not just with a flight, but with inspiration.

“Rising Light” has been realised through a partnership between AZAL, Boeing, and Heydar Aliyev International Airport. This collaboration is part of a long-term strategic partnership between AZAL and Boeing, emphasising the adoption of modern aviation technologies, enhanced flight safety and passenger comfort, and the strengthening of Azerbaijan’s position in the global aviation space.

The exhibition highlights the invisible bonds that unite people, places, and cultures. Through this perspective, AZAL connects Azerbaijan to the world, transforming journeys from simple routes into memorable, meaningful experiences.

Azer Mursagulov has been appointed Chairman of the State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

The first plenary meeting of the G-77 and China Group for 2026 has been held at UNESCO Headquarters under the Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, AzerNEWS reports.

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany attended the event as the keynote speaker.

Opening the plenary session, Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Ambassador Elman Abdullayev, thanked member states for the trust placed in Azerbaijan.

He emphasized that during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, the interests of Global South countries would be kept high on UNESCO’s agenda, the Group’s activities would be further enriched, and coordination among member states would be strengthened.

Against the backdrop of ongoing international and regional challenges, the ambassador highlighted the importance of reinforcing the multilateral system, as well as solidarity and cooperation within the UN framework. He also noted that the G-77 and China Group serves as an important platform in the fields of education, science, culture, communication, and information, as well as on priorities such as Africa, small island developing states, and youth.

Speaking at the meeting, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany stated that the initiative launched within the framework of UNESCO’s 80th anniversary aims to strengthen multilateralism and solidarity, as well as activities aligned with the organization’s core mandate in the areas of peace, education, science, culture, and communication. He stressed the importance of inclusive and transparent consultations with member states throughout the reform process.

During the plenary session, newly appointed permanent representatives were congratulated, the agenda was adopted, and discussions were held on the UNESCO 80 initiative as well as the Group’s ongoing activities.

Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the G-77 and China Group once again highlights the country’s growing role within international organizations, particularly UNESCO, and its contribution to global dialogue and solidarity.