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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the organization of U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku.

In a post on his Instagram account, FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the opening ceremony held in Baku as a historic day and fantastic event.

“I thank Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov, the government, those at AFFA officials led by President Rovshan Najaf, my colleagues at FIFA, and everyone helping deliver this special competition. We are giving every young talent a chance and uniting the youth from 189 FIFA Member Associations across all six confederations to create special memories at their first-ever FIFA World Cup event,’ the FIFA President said.

The official opening ceremony of the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival was held at the Baku Crystal Hall on October 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, their family members, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino watched the ceremony.

The match held following the opening ceremony between the Azerbaijan and Timor-Leste national teams ended with a 6-0 victory for the Azerbaijani national team.

The music and entertainment program continues at the Seaside National Park on the final day of the Olive Festival in Baku. Despite the rainy weather, residents and visitors are arriving at the festival grounds to watch concerts and enjoy the festivities.

Throughout the day, various competitions and entertainment activities are being held with the participation of DJ Kamo and host Iskandar Ibrahimov. Gifts are being presented to participants and winners.

Stalls set up across the festival grounds are showcasing products from olive companies, restaurants and wine producers. Visitors are sampling a variety of delicacies, exploring the products on offer and making purchases. A dedicated entertainment area for children is also operating throughout the day.

Music groups and singers are performing on the festival stage, with visitors enjoying live music, dancing and attending concerts.

The Wave Band is currently performing as part of the program, followed by Tima Suleymanbayli and Excellent Band.

Later in the afternoon, performances are scheduled by Azad Shabanov, Zamiq Huseynov and People’s Artist Aygun Kazimova.

The Olive Festival is organized with the support of the State Tourism Agency and the Seaside Boulevard Administration, with Absheron Olive Gardens and Olivea olive products serving as sponsors.

Admission to the festival grounds and all concert performances is free of charge.

A spectacular premiere of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot has taken place on the stage of the Heydar Aliyev Palace. The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater presented its new production of the famous opera to prolonged applause. The performance featured world-renowned tenor and People’s Artist of Azerbaijan Yusif Eyvazov.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, attended the premiere.

The new production of Turandot, staged in Azerbaijan for the first time in 98 years, was specially created for the Baku stage.

The production is directed by Mikayil Mikayilov, with Mustafa Mustafayev serving as set designer. Honored Cultural Worker Tehran Babayev is the production’s executive artist, while Elnur Ismayilov is the director. Honored Artist Sevil Hajiyeva worked on the choral parts as choirmaster. The choreography was created by People’s Artist Madina Aliyeva and Honored Artist Anar Mikayilov.

Three different casts are taking part in the production. Each of the three premiere performances features different soloists in the roles of Turandot and Calaf, as well as a different conductor.

On October 24, the role of Calaf was performed by People’s Artist Yusif Eyvazov, director of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater and one of the country’s most internationally renowned opera singers. The role has become a signature part of Eyvazov’s repertoire. The performance also marked the celebrated tenor’s debut in the role in Azerbaijan.

That evening, Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio performed the role of Turandot, while Italian maestro Beatrice Venezi conducted the orchestra.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the performance, Eyvazov described the premiere of Turandot as a historic event. He noted that the opera had returned to the Azerbaijani stage after 98 years.

According to the People’s Artist, the new production presented by director Mikayil Mikayilov and set designer Mustafa Mustafayev is of a very high standard. Azerbaijani artists will also be joined by international opera soloists.

Director Mikayilov added that the theater company had devoted considerable effort to the production.

“We hope that audiences will appreciate our efforts and enjoy the performance. This is a landmark event of great significance for our theatrical culture,” he said.

Turandot is one of Giacomo Puccini’s best-known operas. The three-act work is based on the play of the same name by Carlo Gozzi, with a libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni. The opera premiered at Teatro alla Scala in Milan on April 25, 1926, under the baton of Arturo Toscanini.

Audiences in Baku first saw the opera in 1928, just two years after its world premiere. The Baku production was the first staging of Turandot in the Soviet Union.

Puccini worked on Turandot from the summer of 1920 until his death in 1924, but he did not live to complete the work. The opera’s final section was completed by Franco Alfano based on Puccini’s musical sketches.

The plot revolves around the love story of the cruel Princess Turandot and Prince Calaf. As in Gozzi’s fairy tale, Turandot challenges her suitors to solve three riddles, declaring that anyone who answers correctly will win her hand in marriage, while those who fail will be executed.

After a series of trials, Calaf solves the riddles and ultimately marries Turandot, who finally surrenders to the power of his love.

The charter of the Union of Supreme Audit Institutions of Turkic States was signed in Antalya on October 24.

According to Turkish media reports, representatives from Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan expressed their support for the document, which establishes the legal framework for the organization’s activities.

Speaking at the meeting, the current chair of the Union and head of the Turkish Court of Accounts, Metin Yener, recalled that the declaration on the establishment of the Union of Supreme Audit Institutions of Turkic States was signed in Istanbul on November 22, 2025.

He expressed confidence that the new structure would facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience among Turkic states.

“The charter is not merely a legal document, but a declaration of a shared vision for the future. It will enable us to harmonize common auditing standards, share best practices, and strengthen the principles of transparency and accountability. Ultimately, all of this will have an impact on both the performance of public institutions and people’s quality of life,” Yener said.

Alikhan Smailov, chairman of Kazakhstan’s Supreme Audit Chamber, noted that signing the document marked the beginning of a new era in cooperation among the audit institutions of Turkic countries. He also emphasized that Astana was ready to host the Union’s next meeting in 2029.

Almazbek Akmatov, head of the Accounts Chamber of Kyrgyzstan, and Mehriddin Abdullayev, first deputy chairman of Uzbekistan’s Accounts Chamber, also highlighted the importance of cooperation in auditing.

Nasir Sadigov, deputy chairman of Azerbaijan’s Chamber of Accounts, addressed the participants via videoconference.

Kubanichbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), attended the ceremony.

Azerbaijan’s capital will welcome international experts in cultural heritage conservation in 2029 after being selected to host one of the major global gatherings dedicated to protecting monuments and historic sites.

Baku has been selected to host the 23rd Triennial General Assembly of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 2029.

The decision was made during the organization’s 22nd Triennial General Assembly, held on October 22 in Kuching, Malaysia.

During the event, Sadaqat Davudova, deputy chair of the Management Board of the State Tourism Agency’s Reserve Management Center, presented Baku’s candidacy to host the next assembly.

The presentation highlighted Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage, particularly monuments and historic sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as Baku’s modern infrastructure and experience in organizing international events. A video showcasing the country’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage was also screened.

Following the presentation, the ICOMOS Board decided that Baku would host the organization’s 23rd Triennial General Assembly in 2029.

Established in 2021 with the support of the State Tourism Agency, the ICOMOS Azerbaijan National Committee works to protect the country’s cultural heritage, develop international cooperation and promote professional knowledge exchange.

Azerbaijan’s cooperation with ICOMOS also includes international efforts to preserve historic sites. In 2007, a joint UNESCO-ICOMOS mission assessed conservation measures in Baku’s Walled City, home to the Shirvanshah’s Palace and the Maiden Tower. Cooperation has since expanded through professional exchanges and participation in international meetings. In 2023, Azerbaijani representatives attended the ICOMOS General Assembly in Sydney, while in 2024, the national committee translated the Venice Charter, a key international document on heritage conservation, into Azerbaijani.

Founded in 1965, ICOMOS is a global non-governmental organization dedicated to conserving monuments and historic sites. It also advises the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. Baku’s selection for the 2029 assembly marks a new milestone in Azerbaijan’s engagement with the organization and international efforts to safeguard cultural heritage.

Azerbaijan have secured their second consecutive victory at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, defeating Andorra 1-0.

The team, coached by Famil Khalilov, claimed the win in a match held at the Hovsan Sports Complex on October 25. Hasan Mahmadov scored the decisive goal to secure the victory for the young Azerbaijani side.

Azerbaijan’s next opponents are Australia. The match is scheduled to kick off at 19:30 at Pitch 10A of the Hovsan Sports Complex.

The team opened their tournament campaign with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Timor-Leste on October 24.

The inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival is being held in Baku from October 24 to 30, 2026. The event brings together teams from 189 FIFA member associations.

The tournament features an eight-a-side format, with matches consisting of two 20-minute halves. Teams compete in a group stage before being divided into six tiers based on their results.

The format ensures that all teams continue playing throughout the event, giving young footballers valuable international experience. The winners of each tier will be decided on October 30.

President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The letter reads as follows:

Dear Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and, through you, the people of your brotherly country on the national holiday of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic Day, and convey my best wishes.

Today, as a result of the deliberate policy pursued under your leadership, the Republic of Kazakhstan has achieved comprehensive development, made progress in all spheres, strengthened its economic potential, and gained considerable prestige on the international stage. As a brotherly country, we sincerely rejoice in Kazakhstan’s year-after-year progress and its continued achievements.

Our regular mutual visits, meetings, and active dialogue at the highest level play an important role in accelerating the development of our bilateral relations, strengthening our strategic partnership and alliance, and enriching them with new content. I highly appreciate your recent visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the 7th CICA Summit.

I am confident that Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan intergovernmental relations, drawing strength from our rich moral values and the brotherhood of our peoples, will continue to develop steadily and grow stronger through our joint efforts.

On this festive day, I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your responsible state activities, and the brotherly people of Kazakhstan lasting peace, well-being, and prosperity.

Azerbaijan is marking Gubadli City Day on October 25, commemorating the liberation of the city and surrounding villages from Armenian occupation in 2020.

Gubadli was liberated six years ago, on the 29th day of the Patriotic War. On the same day, President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev announced the liberation of several villages in the Zangilan, Jabrayil and Gubadli districts, as well as Gubadli city, in a post on his Twitter account.

“Today, the Azerbaijani Army has liberated several villages in the Zangilan, Jabrayil and Gubadli districts, as well as Gubadli city, from the occupiers. Long live the Azerbaijani Army! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!” the president wrote.

On December 23, 2020, Aliyev raised the Azerbaijani flag in Gubadli. Under a presidential decree signed on July 31, 2023, October 25 was officially designated Gubadli City Day.

The president also established the “For the Liberation of Gubadli” medal to recognize military personnel who demonstrated bravery and courage during operations to liberate the district.

The liberation of Jabrayil and Zangilan districts played a crucial role in opening the way to Gubadli, a mountainous area on the western edge of Eastern Zangazur. Military successes in these neighboring districts enabled Azerbaijani forces to advance toward Gubadli’s administrative boundaries.

Units advancing from Jabrayil crossed ravines in the Yazi Plain area, captured 21 enemy trenches and moved toward Gubadli city. Other units advanced from the Zangilan direction, liberating several settlements.

On October 23, 2020, the villages of Alagurshag, Kurd Mahruzlu, Mughanli and Zilanli came under the control of the Azerbaijani Army. Two days later, Gubadli city and the villages of Chaytumas, Afandilar, Mollaburhan, Padar, Sariyatag, Yusifbayli and Khanlig were liberated.

One of the fiercest battles took place for the strategically important heights of the Yazi Plain. Colonel Shukur Hamidov, who was awarded the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan, was killed during the fighting to liberate these positions.

The operation also enabled Azerbaijani forces to establish control over the Gorus-Kapan road and key routes toward the Lachin Corridor, which was then in use. Azerbaijani troops secured strategic heights and the Gubadli-Lachin road, while enemy forces came under pressure from advancing units, suffered losses and abandoned weapons, ammunition and military equipment.

The liberation of Gubadli opened the way for Azerbaijani forces to advance toward Lachin district and the Lachin Corridor. The operation also contributed to the subsequent liberation of Shusha on November 8, 2020.

Speaking about the operation’s military significance, President Ilham Aliyev said: “The Gubadli operation was of great importance because after Gubadli, we liberated Shusha city from occupation. Gubadli was liberated on October 25, and Shusha city was liberated on November 8. Thus, the enemy was forced to surrender.”

Gubadli district suffered heavy human losses during the First Karabakh War. According to the report, 238 people from the district were killed, 190 became disabled and 78 went missing. Ten people from Gubadli were awarded the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan for their bravery in the struggle to liberate the country’s territories.

Nearly 300 residents of the district volunteered to participate in the 2020 Patriotic War. Eleven of them were killed and more than 40 were wounded.

Vusal Yagubov, a soldier from the village of Yusifbayli, received the title of Hero of the Patriotic War at the age of 19, becoming one of the youngest recipients of the distinction.

Life is gradually returning to Gubadli as reconstruction and infrastructure projects continue across the liberated territories. Development in the district, situated on the western edge of Eastern Zangazur, is proceeding under the country’s post-conflict reconstruction plans.

President Ilham Aliyev has visited the district several times since its liberation.

On October 25, 2021, the president and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with representatives of the Gubadli community. They also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Khanlig-Gubadli road, which connects the city to the Khudafarin-Gubadli-Lachin highway. During the visit, they participated in the opening of the Gubadli substation, operated by Azerenergy OJSC, and a new military complex belonging to the State Border Service.

On October 19, 2022, Aliyev and the first lady reviewed Gubadli’s master plan and laid the foundation stone for the Occupation and Victory Museums complex. They also reviewed projects for the Bargushadchay and Zabukhchay reservoirs and attended foundation-laying ceremonies for a 35-kilovolt substation operated by Azerishig OJSC and the Digital Control Center of the Gubadli Electric Network.

On May 4, 2023, the president laid the foundations for the city’s first residential neighborhood, an administrative building and a secondary school designed for 600 students. He also launched construction projects in the villages of Khanlig, Mahruzlu and Zilanli.

Under Azerbaijan’s Great Return Program, Gubadli is expected to develop into a regional economic hub focused on agriculture and tourism.

On September 10, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the master plan for Gubadli’s development through 2040. The decision was signed by Prime Minister Ali Asadov.

The Azerbaijan National Library has presented virtual and traditional book exhibitions titled “October 25 – Gubadli City Day” to mark the anniversary of the city’s liberation during the 2020 Patriotic War.

The exhibitions feature publications in Azerbaijani and other languages about Gubadli’s history, place names and ancient cultural monuments, as well as the Patriotic War, Azerbaijan’s victory, national heroes and the sacrifices of soldiers and officers who lost their lives in the struggle to restore the country’s territorial integrity.

Gubadli was liberated by Azerbaijani forces on October 25, 2020, during the 44-day Patriotic War.

The city had been under Armenian occupation since 1993. Its liberation was an important milestone in the military campaign to restore Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

October 25 is commemorated annually as Gubadli City Day, established by a presidential decree signed in 2023.