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FM Bayramov joins 10th trilateral ministerial meeting with Georgia and Trkiye

The 10th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye was held in Istanbul, with the participation of the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Maka Botchorishvili, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trkiye Hakan Fidan, AzerNEWS reports.

Meanwhile, speaking at the meeting, Bayramov emphasized the special importance of political coordination and interaction between the countries in the current international environment, against the background of increasing geopolitical tensions, difficulties in supply chains, and economic uncertainties. In this regard, it was noted that the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Trkiye trilateral cooperation format is an important platform for regional stability, security, and development.

During the speech, it was emphasized that the 10th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Relations Committees of the Parliaments in Baku, the seventh Business Forum in Georgia, and the last trilateral meeting of the Defense Ministers in Ankara demonstrated that the partnership of the countries has become comprehensive and multifaceted.

The speech pointed out that Azerbaijan-Georgia-Trkiye cooperation is one of the main driving forces of regional stability and economic development, and the successful implementation of strategic projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, the Southern Gas Corridor, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway demonstrates the result-oriented nature of the partnership.

The minister noted that cooperation in the energy sector is one of the main directions of the trilateral partnership. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan currently exports natural gas to 16 countries, and it was noted that the extension of the natural gas purchase and sale agreement between Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as the agreement reached between SOCAR and BOTAS on gas supplies from the second stage of the Absheron field, will make a significant contribution to strengthening energy security.

Touching upon cooperation in the field of transport and connectivity, the minister noted that the three countries play an important role in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor). It was stressed that the completion of the modernization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the resumption of Baku-Tbilisi-Baku passenger train services will make an additional contribution to regional mobility. At the same time, it was noted that the implementation of the TRIPP project and ensuring unhindered communication between the main part of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are important elements of regional cooperation and confidence-building.

The speech highlighted the significant potential for expanding cooperation in the fields of ICT, high technologies, agriculture, water resources management, and tourism. It also highlighted the importance of closer coordination in the face of challenges such as security, counter-terrorism, transnational organized crime, cyber threats, and climate change.

Bayramov reiterated his country’s support as Trkiye prepares to host the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).

The minister underscored Azerbaijan’s readiness to continue cooperation with Trkiye and Georgia for the further deepening of the trilateral partnership and for the sustainable development, security, and prosperity of the region.

The speech also touched upon the process of normalization of relations with Armenia. It was noted that Azerbaijan’s peace-building initiatives and confidence-building measures have made a significant contribution to advancing the normalization agenda. At the same time, the importance of resolving outstanding issues that impede the full normalization of relations to turn the existing opportunity into lasting peace was emphasized.

The minister noted that the ongoing tensions in the Middle East have a negative impact on regional and global security, and drew attention to the importance of resolving conflicts based on the norms and principles of international law, through dialogue and diplomatic means.

At the meeting, the ministers discussed the prospects for the further development of trilateral cooperation and other regional security issues.

At the end of the trilateral meeting, the ministers signed the Istanbul Declaration on the meeting results.

Later, the ministers made a statement at a press conference and answered questions from the media.

Chovqan World Championship: Poland and Uruguay secure wins

The match between the national teams of Turkiye and Poland has ended with a 3-0 victory for the Polish Chovqan players, AzerNEWS reports.

In the final match of the day, the national teams of Nigeria and Uruguay faced each other. The Uruguay national team defeated its opponent 2-0.

As a result, the national teams of Poland and Uruguay secured their first victories in the tournament.

Recall that in the first match of the day, the Azerbaijan national team defeated Uzbekistan with a score of 4-2.

The Chovqan World Championship is taking place at the Bina Equestrian Center.

Alongside host country Azerbaijan, national teams from Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America are competing the championship.

Chovqan is a traditional equestrian sport played between two teams riding Garabagh horses, a breed native to Azerbaijan. Considered the ancestor of modern polo, chovqan was historically played during festive celebrations and holidays.

Each team consists of five riders-two defenders (fullbacks) and three attackers (forwards).

The match begins at the center of the field, where players use wooden mallets to strike a small ball made of leather or wood, aiming to score goals against the opposing team. A standard game lasts for 30 minutes.

In recognition of its cultural significance, UNESCO inscribed chovqan on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2013.

Import dependence persists despite production gains

Botswana remains heavily dependent on imported food staples despite maintaining stable food availability levels and achieving self-sufficiency in some locally grown crops, according to the country’s first comprehensive Food Balance Sheet.

The report, compiled by the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture and Statistics Botswana with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), found that Botswana produced enough food to provide an average of 2,690 kilocalories per person per day between 2021 and 2023, comfortably above internationally accepted minimum dietary energy requirements.

However, beneath that apparent stability lies a structural vulnerability. The country remains overwhelmingly reliant on foreign suppliers for key grains consumed by households and businesses.

‘The national FBS results indicate that the country relies more on imports for major cereal crops especially rice, wheat and maize,’ the report states.

According to the findings, Botswana imported all of its rice requirements during the review period, while import dependency for wheat ranged between 98% and 99%. Maize, a dietary staple, also remained heavily import-dependent, with imports accounting for 80% to 89% of domestic supply.

Domestic production tells a different story for traditional grains. The report found Botswana was consistently self-sufficient in millet, with production exceeding domestic demand in some years, while sorghum production remained relatively strong. ‘The overall FBS results shows that Botswana is self-sufficient on sorghum and millet and highly dependent on imports for wheat, maize and rice for the years 2021-2023,’ the report says.

The data also sheds light on what is feeding the nation. More than half of the country’s dietary energy supply comes from just five commodities: maize flour, wheat flour, sunflower oil, sugar and milk. Flour of maize alone accounted for 21% of total daily calorie intake, making it the single largest contributor to Botswana’s food energy supply.

While calorie availability remained broadly stable, some nutritional indicators moved in the opposite direction. Protein availability declined from 75.3 grams per person per day in 2021 to 69.8 grams in 2023, while supplies of magnesium, zinc and iron also showed weakening trends over the period.

The report warns that Botswana’s food system remains exposed to external shocks through its dependence on imported staples. It recommends greater crop diversification, increased investment in agricultural research, support programmes for farmers and the development of drought-resistant crop varieties to strengthen long-term food security.

The publication marks a milestone for Botswana’s agricultural statistics. Officials described it as the country’s first national Food Balance Sheet, a tool designed to provide a comprehensive picture of food supply, consumption and nutrition trends. ‘The FBS data helps to assess whether a country is food self-sufficient or more dependent on food imports to feed its population,’ the report notes.

FCC needs over P330 million to revive infrastructure

Francistown City Council(FCC) is currently in dire need of an estimated P335 million to revive its crumbling infrastructure. Heavy rains experienced between February and April 2026 have also worsened the situation leaving a trail of destruction causing significant damage to the Francistown roads and other associated infrastructure.

As an interim measure the City Council requires approximately P12 million for pot hole patching and related maintanence works. The city council already has in place 7 000 bags of cold asphalt premix sufficient to to patch approximately 3 500m2 of potholes. Current works are focusing on major roads including Martin Luther King, Junior Road, Dinokwe Road, Diselammapa Road, New Bridge Road, Blue Jacket Road and Boipuso Road. However the A1 Central Police Road which has been closed for some time due to maintenance is now open for traffic.

Francistown Mayor Gaone Majere made the revelation when addressing a full council meeting last week.

In yet another shocking revelation, Majere expressed frustrations over the current dilapidated water infrastructure in Francistown under Water Utilities Corporation which dates as far back as the 70’s spanning close to 50 years. The aging infrastructure has also not been properly maintained over the years resulting in frequent pipe bursts and water leakages affecting parts of the city such as Blocks, Gerald Estates, Area S, Area W,Light industrial, Dumela Industrial and Minestone.

‘Records from Water Utilities Corporation indicate that more than 1 200 leakages have been reported. The main cause remains aging asbestos cement installed during the 1970’s,’ he said.

He however said in the short term Water Utilities Corporation continues to prioritize repairs and is in the process of outsourcing certain repair works to improve response times. Meanwhile the Mayor stated that the Greater Francistown Master Plan project estimated at around P3 billion under the National Development Plan 12 remains the city’s priority project. This Master Plan(2024 – 2048) maps out the region’s 24-year urban transformation into a leading logistical gateway and model city. The goal is to accommodate an anticipated population boom while driving economic revitalization of the city.

Street lighting illumination in the city currently stands at 45 percent against the required 90 percent. Majere said despite challenges such as vandalism, cable theft and shortages of materials improvements are expected following installations of solar streetlights under the Road Levy Funding Programme which commenced on 21 May 2026. On diversification of the city’s economy he said they remain committed to transforming Francistown into a resilient, competitive and sustainable economic hub aligned with Botswana’s aspiration under Urban Development Plan 5, National Development Plan 12 and vision 2026. In this regard he said the city remains committed to diversifying its economy through sectors such as tourism particularly sports tourism and the promotion of Francistown Heritage Trail. These initiatives are intended to position the city as a vibrant tourism and and investment destination while creating employment and business opportunities for local communities.

Govt borrowing threatens to crowd out private sector

Botswana’s private sector is expected to face even more challenges in 2026. A new report from Business Monitor International (BMI) warns that increased government borrowing could make it harder for businesses to get loans in an already tight credit market.

The report describes an economy that is having trouble bouncing back after shrinking by about 0.7 percent in 2025. BMI predicts only a small recovery, with growth of 1.5 percent in 2026, due to weak global demand for diamonds, ongoing uncertainty in mining, and rising financial pressures.

While much of the report focuses on the banking sector, the implications extend far beyond bank balance sheets and directly affect businesses, entrepreneurs, and ordinary citizens seeking access to credit.

‘With fiscal buffers eroding and financing requirements increasing, the government is likely to maintain a significant presence in domestic debt markets,’ BMI said.

The report warns that the effects could be serious.

‘This raises the risk of crowding out private sector credit, as banks allocate a larger share of their balance sheets to government securities.’

Put simply, banks might choose to lend more to the government instead of businesses, since government loans are seen as safer and more reliable. This could make it harder for companies to get the money they need to grow or run their operations.

This warning comes when Botswana’s private sector is already in a tough spot. BMI expects household incomes to stay under pressure in 2026, which will lower demand for goods and services. Companies are also likely to delay investments because of the uncertain economy.

‘Corporates are likely to delay investment decisions amid uncertainty,’ the report states, adding that banks will continue prioritising lower-risk lending while maintaining cautious credit standards.

These sentiments come at a time when local economist Dr Keith Jefferis of Econsult has raised similar concerns in his recent reviews. He warned that increased government borrowing could further drain liquidity from the financial sector and crowd out private sector lending. With banks already operating under tighter liquidity conditions and rising credit risk, increased government absorption of available funds could limit credit extension to productive sectors, undermining private-sector-led growth.

The BMI report also points out that rising interest rates are having an impact.

Following a sharp rise in inflation, driven largely by higher global energy prices linked to the ongoing US-Iran conflict, the Bank of Botswana raised its benchmark interest rate by 200 basis points to 5.5 percent in April 2026.

BMI expects inflation to average 9.7 percent this year, well above the central bank’s target range, with another interest rate increase likely before year-end.

This means that loans will become more expensive for both households and businesses.

‘Higher lending rates will suppress credit demand and reduce affordability, particularly among households,’ BMI noted.

Businesses already facing weak sales and higher costs may find it even harder to expand or create jobs if borrowing becomes more expensive.

The banking system is also under pressure because there is still not enough cash available.

Even though the central bank stepped in and the government spent more in 2025, BMI says there are still big problems in the system. These include most deposits being held by a few banks, a reliance on short-term funding, and some banks having much more cash than others.

BMI expects loans to customers to grow by only 4.2 percent in 2026, which is much lower than the 10-year average of 7 percent.

The report is also worried about Botswana’s worsening financial situation. Lower mining income and less money from the Southern African Customs Union are putting more strain on government finances. Public debt has already hit the legal limit of 20 percent of GDP, which means the government has less room to spend and must rely more on borrowing within the country.

BMI notes that government securities already account for around one-fifth of banking sector assets.

‘Further increases would limit the availability of credit to households and businesses, reinforcing the weak credit growth outlook,’ the report warned.

While Botswana’s banks remain well-capitalised and financially stable, BMI cautions that their ability to support economic recovery will become increasingly constrained.

What it means for households, businesses, and banks?

The economy is likely to grow slowly in 2026. Households will have to deal with higher costs of living and borrowing, businesses will struggle to get affordable loans, and banks will be more careful about lending. All of this could slow down economic activity and job growth.

Many people in Botswana may have a tougher year ahead. Higher interest rates will make it more expensive to borrow for homes, cars, and personal needs. At the same time, rising prices will keep pushing up the cost of living, so families will have less buying power. As businesses slow down hiring and investment, there may also be fewer job opportunities.

It may become harder and more expensive for companies to get loans from banks. As the government borrows more, banks might prefer lending to the government since it is seen as a safer bet. This could slow down business growth, reduce investment, and limit job creation, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

Botswana’s banks are still stable and have enough capital, but they are becoming more careful. With more government borrowing, less cash available, and ongoing uncertainty, banks will probably lend less freely. While banks might gain from holding more government debt, this could mean less support for private businesses and a slower economic recovery overall.

Botswana’s financial sector is at a critical point. Higher interest rates have helped keep deposits stable and support the economy, but they are also making it harder for people and businesses to get loans. At the same time, the government’s need for more money could make cash even tighter and make it even harder for the private sector to borrow.

Sweden recorded its warmest spring

The summer of 2026 was the warmest ever recorded in Sweden since national meteorological observations began in 1859. Temperature records were broken in many parts of the country, with several regions experiencing sustained heat patterns that exceed historical averages recorded over more than a century, AzerNEWS reports.

A particularly notable temperature increase was observed in northern Sweden. According to experts from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), areas such as Abisko and Karesuando recorded average temperatures approximately 1.5°C higher than previous long-term records. One of the highest temperatures of the spring was measured on May 1 in Oskarshamn, reaching 28.6°C.

Experts attribute this exceptional warming trend to ongoing climate change. They emphasize that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more intense, while colder seasonal periods are gradually shortening. However, they also note that individual weather events still depend on a combination of atmospheric factors, meaning that not every year will necessarily be extreme.

The unusually hot and dry spring has already led to declining water levels in lakes and rivers, as well as reduced groundwater reserves in several parts of the country. The situation is particularly concerning in southern and southeastern Sweden, where authorities have warned of potential water shortages in the coming months.

Interestingly, researchers also point out that Sweden’s northern ecosystems are responding in unexpected ways. Earlier snowmelt has slightly extended the growing season in some regions, affecting local vegetation patterns and even wildlife migration timing. For example, certain bird species are now arriving earlier than usual, subtly reshaping seasonal ecological cycles.

Scientists warn that if current climate trends continue, such extremes may become more common, making water management and climate adaptation increasingly important for the country’s future resilience.

Azercell showcases AI-driven cybersecurity solutions at 4th National Cybersecurity Forum

The 4th National Cybersecurity Forum, organized on the initiative of the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Organizations Association (AKTA), convened representatives of the public and private sectors, international experts, technology companies, and cybersecurity professionals. One of the leading enablers of Azerbaijan’s digital ecosystem, ‘Azercell Telecom’ LLC, supported the event as a platinum sponsor.

The forum served as an important platform for the exchange of international expertise, the discussion of emerging technologies, and the strengthening of cross-sector collaboration. Participants explored evolving cyber threats in the era of digital transformation, the growing role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, and modern approaches to digital risk management.

As part of the forum, Mais Sharifli, Head of the Cybersecurity Section at Azercell Telecom, participated in the panel discussion titled ‘Cyber Challenges in Digital Transformation.’ During his presentation, he shared practical results achieved through the application of artificial intelligence in the company’s cybersecurity operations. He also noted that Azercell currently provides more than 10 cybersecurity services to corporate customers.

Mais Sharifli highlighted that Azercell is the first telecom operator in the local market to implement an AI-driven architecture for cyber threat detection and the centralized management of the digital security ecosystem. He noted that the level of alignment between cybersecurity analysts’ decisions and AI-generated outputs has now exceeded 95 percent. Mr. Sharifli emphasized that the adoption of AI-powered systems has significantly improved operational efficiency, with some processes now being completed up to 40 times faster than through traditional approaches. In addition, these technologies enable advanced large-scale data processing and analytics, supporting the timely identification and mitigation of potential cyber threats.

Azercell continues to advance its cybersecurity capabilities in line with the Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan on information security and cyber security for 2023-2027, consistently implementing initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s digital resilience and fostering a secure digital environment.

Hezbollah drone strikes fuel new round of regional fighting, analysts say

Rising cross-border violence and the increasing use of drones in the Israel-Lebanon theatre are intensifying regional tensions and raising concerns about civilian casualties, analysts say, AzerNEWS reports.

Security and policy analyst Wolfgang Pusztai has said that Hezbollah’s drone capabilities have played a significant role in triggering Israeli military responses, including recent strikes on Beirut that marked the latest escalation in hostilities involving Iran-linked actors.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Pusztai noted that since the beginning of a ceasefire in April, approximately 30 Israeli soldiers had been killed in drone attacks originating from Lebanese territory.

‘The consequence for Israel was to push further into Lebanon, but it seems the Israelis were not very precise with regard to selecting their targets, as there is also a high amount of civilian casualties,’ he said.

The renewed Israeli strikes, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties in Lebanon, have sparked widespread condemnation not only within Lebanon but also in Iran and broader international circles.

Analysts warn that the growing cycle of drone warfare, retaliatory strikes, and cross-border escalation risks further destabilizing an already volatile regional security environment.

Dozens of appointments still hanging in Congress

Acting Senate president Sherwin Gatchalian expressed concern on Sunday about the delay caused by the recent leadership impasse in the Senate, particularly the confirmation of eight Cabinet members and a backlog of military and diplomatic appointees.

Aside from pending legislation, no senators have been elected as members of the Commission on Appointments to act on appointments made to the Cabinet and the military and foreign services since January.

Eight Cabinet appointments remain unconfirmed: the Executive Secretary, secretaries of Finance, Public Works, Justice, Budget and Management, Environment and Natural Resources, Transportation and Presidential Communications Office.

Also unconfirmed are about 160 promotions and appointments in the military and foreign service, purportedly because the executive department has not submitted their appointment papers.

The delays appeared to have nothing to do with the reorganization drama on May 11 when Sen. Vicente Sotto III was ousted as Senate president. It appeared to be due to the inaction ahead of the sine die adjournment of the 20th Congress’ first regular session on June 5.

More confusion arose after presidential spokesperson Claire Castro suggested that President Marcos would be open to calling for a special session to tackle bills and appointments for a valid reason.

Only the President is empowered to call a special session of Congress and does not require a ‘formal request’ from any leader of Congress.

A lot on agenda

‘We’re still laying out the things that need to be discussed during the special session, like the promotion of the five generals. That’s important to me … especially if you’ve been serving our country for a long time. There’s also a lot on our agenda,’ he said in an interview with radio dzBB on Sunday.

But the matter does not only involve the confirmation of five generals, but also dozens of military officers and appointments to the foreign service.

‘That’s one of our concerns … these five generals who should be promoted but they were not confirmed. If they go beyond their birthday, they can no longer be promoted. So it would be unfair to our generals who served our country and our people,’ said Gatchalian in an earlier interview.

Apart from the generals’ confirmation, the senators are also reviewing the list of pending bills and appointments that may be discussed should the President call for a special session, he added.

Congress is scheduled to remain in recess until the start of the second regular session on July 26, the constitutional requirement for Congress to convene annually on the fourth Monday of July.

But the President may call Congress into a special session at any time to deal with urgent legislative measures or emergencies.

A special session is limited to a maximum period specified in the presidential proclamation, focusing strictly on the urgent legislation outlined in the call.

IEA: 750 million people remain without electricity access

About 750 million people in the world still do not have access to electricity, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the clean energy transition is not limited to technological changes alone. It also involves behavioral and structural transformations. In this context, coordinated actions are needed in three key areas: policy, society, and sectors.

In the policy area, the report recommends the combined use of incentive mechanisms, regulations, and awareness campaigns. From a societal perspective, it emphasizes educational activities, the involvement of local communities in decision-making processes, and increasing the role of women and youth in the energy sector. It also highlights the importance of improving energy efficiency in buildings, transport, and household appliances, which are responsible for a significant share of global carbon emissions.

The report reviewed 55 best practice examples from various countries and outlined recommendations for policymakers.

China is noted for expanding transport electrification through pilot city projects and strengthening energy efficiency standards. Its energy labeling system has reportedly saved more than 4.28 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity over the past 20 years.

The social dimension of the energy transition is also addressed. The European Union’s Social Climate Fund, which will be implemented between 2026 and 2032, aims to support households experiencing energy poverty and small businesses.

The report also notes that around 750 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity, and more than 2 billion people do not have access to clean cooking technologies. It emphasizes that efforts to expand access to clean energy are particularly important in Africa.