Category: Azer News

The Scientific Council of the Institute of Information Technology under the Ministry of Science and Education has reviewed reports on the comprehensive activities of the institute’s structural divisions for the first half of 2026, AzerNEWS reports.

The reports were presented and discussed at meetings of the Scientific Council.

Speaking about the six-month reports, Vice President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Director General and Academician Rasim Aliguliyev noted that the institute’s activities are organized in line with the priority areas defined in strategies, concepts and programs within the framework of state policy.

The scientist stressed the importance of objectively and transparently assessing and regularly reviewing the implementation of tasks set out in the institute’s action plan, as well as the scientific results achieved, in order to improve the efficiency of research activities.

The institute’s Director General said that achieving high-level scientific results, generating new knowledge, actively contributing to the implementation of scientific objectives set by the state, transferring scientific and technological innovations to society, and improving the efficiency of scientific activities are among the institute’s priorities. He stressed the importance of every staff member carrying out their responsibilities with due diligence to achieve these goals.

The six-month reports covered work carried out in the study of the scientific and theoretical foundations of modern information technologies, digital transformation processes, and the scientific challenges related to the development of an information society.

The meetings also featured extensive discussions on the research, scientific innovation and academic activities of the structural divisions during the first half of 2026. These included the implementation of tasks arising from strategic documents adopted in the field of digital policy, projects aimed at integrating science and education, the training of highly qualified specialists and other areas of activity.

Information was also provided on public awareness efforts aimed at promoting technological knowledge amid the rapid development of digital transformation processes. The reports included information on articles published in prestigious scientific journals, conference proceedings and international scientific cooperation. The institute’s scientometric indicators, as well as those of individual structural divisions, were presented, along with recommendations for making activities in this area more effective.

Academician Rasim Aliguliyev highly valued the scientific results and achievements recorded during the reporting period and called on staff to further improve the quality of their research and actively contribute to fulfilling the tasks facing the institute in the coming period.

At the end of the meetings, the reports of the institute’s structural divisions were extensively discussed by members of the Scientific Council, which subsequently adopted relevant decisions. The structural divisions were instructed to ensure the implementation of tasks arising from state policy, expand international scientific cooperation and increase the number of scientific findings published in leading international journals.

The Shah Deniz consortium is pleased to announce the award of a major automation contract for the Shah Deniz Compression (SDC) project to Emerson, AzerNEWS reports, citing bp.

The contract covers the delivery of integrated control and safety systems for remote operations of the SDC platform, including process control, safety shutdown, fire and gas detection, and power management systems.

Together, these systems will enable real-time visibility and remote control of critical platform operations, helping to enhance safety, reliability and operational efficiency while reducing operating costs and supporting long-term performance.

Ilgar Mammadov, bp project general manager, said: ‘The award of this contract marks an important milestone in the delivery of the SDC project. The automation and control systems will be a critical component of the unmanned SDC platform, supporting its safe and effective operation throughout its lifecycle.

‘This milestone comes as the overall project continues to make strong progress, with around 30% completion achieved to date and around 2,700 people currently mobilized. Engineering and fabrication activities are advancing as planned across multiple work fronts, drawing strongly on Azerbaijan’s resources, expertise and industrial capabilities as we continue to move the project forward.’

The SDC project will play a key role in maximizing recovery from the Shah Deniz field, enabling access to additional gas resources and helping sustain production over the long term.

A study by Netherlands-based Triodos Bank estimates that anomalous weather conditions and prolonged drought observed across Europe this summer could cost the European Union (EU) economy around pound 180 billion and wipe out previously forecast economic growth, AzerNEWS reports.

Triodos Bank published a study titled “Hot Summer Economics”, examining the economic impact of extreme heat across Europe.

The study noted that record temperatures and prolonged drought are negatively affecting not only human health and ecosystems, but also agriculture, the energy sector, transportation and labour productivity.

According to the bank’s latest analysis, extreme weather conditions observed during the summer could reduce the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP) by around 1% in 2026. This is equivalent to approximately pound 180 billion and would effectively eliminate the economic growth previously forecast for the year.

The research found that the largest economic impact of extreme heat stems from declining labour productivity. Productivity begins to fall significantly when temperatures rise above approximately 25-30°C.

The impact is particularly severe for workers engaged in physically demanding jobs, those working outdoors and employees in workplaces without air conditioning. Extreme heat can also affect office workers’ performance and sleep quality and contribute to increased absenteeism during hot days.

The study estimates that reduced labour productivity caused by high temperatures in the summer of 2026 could result in an average loss of around 0.6% of EU GDP.

Agricultural production across the EU is also expected to decline by between 3% and 7% due to extreme heat and drought. Rising food prices, restrictions on energy generation, higher electricity prices, and disruptions to roads, railways and inland waterways are expected to further increase the economic damage.

France is projected to be the country most severely affected by extreme heat. Repeated heatwaves are expected to reduce the country’s GDP by around 1.4%, contributing to an estimated 0.6% contraction of the French economy over the year.

Significant economic losses are also expected in Italy, Spain and Belgium.

Meanwhile, the European Commission had previously forecast that the EU economy would grow by 1.1% this year.

Summer in 2026 is not asking for a single uniform look. The season feels much more open to mixing things that might once have been kept apart: something sporty with something polished, a feminine blouse with loose trousers, a simple dress with an unexpectedly practical accessory. It is less about building an outfit around one “must-have” trend and more about knowing how to make familiar clothes feel current.

That is a useful way to think about August in Baku. Dressing for the city in the middle of summer is a balancing act. The afternoon heat can make anything too heavy or restrictive uncomfortable, yet the day rarely ends early. A typical summer wardrobe has to work through a walk in the city centre, an afternoon coffee, dinner outside and an evening by the Caspian. Clothes need to be light enough for the daytime without looking too casual once the sun goes down.

White is an easy place to start. It has a natural place in summer wardrobes, but this year it feels particularly fresh when worn in a simple, unfussy way. An ivory shirt with wide trousers, a white cotton dress with leather sandals or a white skirt with a colourful top can look polished without appearing overdone. Cream, ecru and other softer shades offer the same feeling for those who find pure white too stark.

Capri trousers are probably one of the harder trends to predict a few years ago, but they are firmly back in the fashion conversation in 2026. The trick is to forget the idea of recreating the early 2000s. A lightweight pair with a loose shirt, a simple sleeveless top or an easy blouse feels much more relevant now. In Baku, where heavy trousers can be difficult to wear in August, the shorter length also makes practical sense.

Bermuda shorts offer a similar solution for anyone who prefers more coverage. Tailored versions can look surprisingly sophisticated with a crisp shirt or a fitted top, while a relaxed pair works with flat sandals and a simple T-shirt. They are cool enough for the heat but do not immediately read as beachwear, which makes them useful for the city.

Scarves are another small detail that can change an outfit without requiring much effort. This summer they are being worn in more ways than simply around the neck: tied to a bag, wrapped around the waist, placed over the shoulders or worn on the head. In Baku, the idea has an obvious practical side. A light scarf can add colour to a plain outfit and offer a little extra coverage from the sun.

Ruffles are back as well, although the most wearable versions are not necessarily the most dramatic. A ruffled neckline, an interesting sleeve or a small detail along a skirt can be enough. In the August heat, a single decorative element often works better than a dress covered in layers of fabric.

The same preference for ease can be seen in trousers. Wide-leg and fluid shapes remain strong, and they are particularly suited to a city where summer temperatures make tight denim less appealing. A pair of lightweight trousers can look completely different depending on what is worn with them: a tank top and sandals for the afternoon, or a sharper blouse and jewellery for dinner.

Jackets have not disappeared either, but summer tailoring is becoming softer. An unlined jacket, a lightweight blazer or even a loose overshirt can give an outfit some structure without the weight of traditional tailoring. For Baku, that distinction matters. There is a big difference between looking dressed and feeling overdressed in August.

Sporty pieces are also finding their way into otherwise polished outfits. Sneakers with a dress, longer shorts with a tailored shirt or a sports-inspired jacket over simple trousers can make an outfit feel younger without making it look like activewear. The idea is to use one element rather than turn the entire outfit into sportswear.

Accessories are doing much of the work this season. Sunglasses, jewellery, belts and bags can completely alter a familiar combination, which is useful when the weather makes layering difficult. A simple white dress can become a different outfit with a large pair of sunglasses and a structured bag; the same trousers can feel more relaxed with a woven tote and flat sandals.

Colour does not have to be complicated either. Instead of wearing several bright shades at once, try placing one strong colour against a neutral base. Red with cream, cobalt with white, green with beige or a bright bag against an otherwise quiet outfit can be enough to make the look stand out.

Natural textures continue to work particularly well in summer. Woven and raffia bags have moved beyond the beach and into everyday wardrobes, especially in more structured shapes. In Baku, they can work with a city dress just as easily as with linen trousers. The point is not to look as though you are permanently on holiday, but to bring a little of that relaxed summer feeling into everyday dressing.

There is also room to make these trends feel more connected to Azerbaijan. A scarf with a familiar local pattern, jewellery inspired by regional craftsmanship or colours associated with Azerbaijani decorative traditions can sit naturally alongside contemporary clothing. The reference does not need to be obvious. Sometimes one detail is enough.

And then there is the practical reality of August. Sun protection should not be treated as something completely separate from getting dressed. A lightweight shirt can cover the shoulders during the hottest part of the day, a wide-brimmed hat can become part of the look, and sunglasses are as useful as they are fashionable. Comfortable shoes matter too, particularly in a city where an evening often involves much more walking than expected.

None of this requires a completely new wardrobe. In fact, some of the strongest summer combinations can be built from a handful of familiar pieces: a white shirt, loose trousers, a pair of longer shorts, a scarf, comfortable sandals, sunglasses and one good bag. Change the accessories, add a stronger colour or switch the proportions, and the outfit can look completely different.

That feels closer to the way people actually dress in Baku. International fashion can provide ideas, but the city has its own rhythm, weather and character. A trend only becomes useful when it survives the walk from the centre to the waterfront, works in the afternoon heat and still feels right when the city comes alive after sunset.

This summer, the most convincing wardrobe is not necessarily the one with the most new pieces. It is the one that knows how to make a few good ones work.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the unveiling ceremony of a monument to architect Ajami Nakhchivani at the ‘Ajami Seyrangahi’ recreation complex in Nakhchivan city on August 11.

People’s Artist Salkhab Mammadov, one of the authors of the monument, briefed the head of state and the First Lady on the monument.

This year marks the 900th anniversary of the birth of Ajami Nakhchivani, a prominent representative of Azerbaijani architecture and the founder of the Nakhchivan architectural school.

Last year, President Ilham Aliyev signed an Order on measures related to the celebration of the 900th anniversary of Ajami Nakhchivani, including the erection of a monument in his honor.

The monument complex was created to showcase the rich architectural heritage of the great Azerbaijani architect Ajami Nakhchivani through a modern approach.

The monument was created by People’s Artists Salkhab Mammadov and Ali Ibadullayev, together with Heydar Ahmadov, Chairman of the Union of Architects of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The statue is 270 centimeters high, while the pedestal is 90 centimeters high, bringing the total height of the monument to 385 centimeters. The statue is made of bronze, while the pedestal is made of granite. Landscaping works were also carried out, and green areas were established on the grounds of the complex.

Preserving the memory of architect Ajami Nakhchivani, who played a vital role in the development of medieval Azerbaijani architecture, is primarily a manifestation of the Azerbaijani state’s commitment to safeguarding the brilliant legacy of its historical figures. The implementation of this project is also one of the important measures aimed at passing their achievements on to future generations.

On the initiative of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the 850th anniversary of Ajami Nakhchivani was solemnly celebrated in Azerbaijan in 1976. Today, the inclusion of his 900th anniversary in the list of UNESCO anniversaries plays an important role in promoting Azerbaijan’s centuries-old cultural heritage more broadly at the international level.

Rail traffic between Finland and Sweden resumed on Monday, marking an important step in improving cross-border transport between the two countries, AzerNEWS reports.

‘The railway route will connect Finland with the pan-European rail network. For the first time in decades, a train crossed the Tornionjoki border river and headed for Sweden,’ the statement said.

The train will operate twice a day, with the journey taking approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. The renewed connection is expected to make travel between the two countries more convenient for both passengers and businesses.

Interestingly, rail service between the Finnish city of Oulu and the Swedish town of Haparanda was discontinued in 1988 because it was considered unprofitable. After decades without regular passenger service, the reopening of the route represents a significant milestone for the region and could help strengthen tourism, trade, and economic ties between Finland and Sweden.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has successfully launched the sixth satellite of Japan’s Michibiki (QZSS) regional navigation system into orbit, AzerNEWS reports.

The satellite was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center aboard an H3 heavy-lift rocket. The launch was broadcast live on JAXA’s website.

The latest success comes after a setback last December, when an attempt to launch another satellite in the series failed due to the premature shutdown of the rocket’s second stage. The subsequent launch was postponed several times.

Japan currently has six Michibiki satellites in orbit, while at least seven are considered necessary for stable operation of the system. QZSS works alongside the US GPS network, improving positioning accuracy, particularly across Japan and parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

By the mid-2030s, Japan plans to expand the constellation to 11 satellites. The goal is to strengthen the country’s independent positioning capabilities, reduce reliance on GPS and potentially expand the use of QZSS throughout the Asia-Pacific.

One of QZSS’s key advantages is its ability to provide highly accurate positioning signals, including services designed to remain reliable in challenging environments. The system is also strategically important for Japan’s defense and security infrastructure.

An interesting detail: QZSS satellites are designed to spend much of their time at a high angle over Japan. This is especially useful in cities, where tall buildings can block signals from conventional navigation satellites.

Under ideal conditions, Japan’s high-precision positioning services can achieve centimeter-level accuracy, far beyond the accuracy normally available from standard civilian GPS.

With its expanding satellite constellation, Japan is effectively building a more independent navigation infrastructure – one that could become increasingly important for everything from autonomous vehicles and precision agriculture to disaster response and national security.

The feature film project “Hear What You Remember” by Turkan Huseyn, Secretary of the Azerbaijan Filmmakers Union, as well as a director and producer, has received Script and Project Development Support under the Bright Future program of the Hubert Bals Fund at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), AzerNEWS reports.

The project was selected for the grant. A total of 20 projects from the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and Central Asia were selected, with each project receiving a grant of EUR 10,000.

Turkan Huseyn is the screenwriter of “Hear What You Remember”, while Emil Najafov is the producer. Kamala Israfilova and Fakhriyya Ismayilova (Turkiye, Parda Film) are serving as co-producers.

According to the film’s plot, a woman who is a key witness in a murder trial must reconstruct an event buried deep in her memory while confronting manipulative forces seeking to shape the truth to serve their own interests.

The project has previously participated in a film project pitching event for Turkiye and the Caucasus held in Cannes in cooperation with the Institut français and the CNC, as well as the TorinoFilmLab.

The international adventure film “Armour of God IV: Ultimatum” has begun filming its next production phase in Baku, with several key scenes set to be shot in the Azerbaijani capital, AzerNEWS reports.

The Baku stage of the production officially began with a traditional clapperboard-breaking ceremony, marking the start of filming in the Azerbaijani capital.

The fourth film in the “Armour of God” series once again stars Jackie Chan as the legendary Asian Hawk. The story follows his character as he returns to action during a worldwide search for an ancient artifact called the Tumar, with a reward of more than $20 million at stake.

Production is taking place in several countries and involves actors and film professionals from around the world. The project also marks the first joint production involving film crews from Kazakhstan and China.

Baku was selected as one of the film’s locations as the new story develops around the Caspian Sea. Several important scenes will be shot in different parts of the city.

The production is also significant for Jackie Chan, as this is his first film project in Azerbaijan.

“I am especially excited to be working in a country where I have never filmed before,” he said.

The Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijan Cinema Agency (ARKA) are supporting the production. More than 100 local film professionals are involved in the Baku shoot, while Filmlab.az is providing local production and film commission services.

Nakhchivan has always been more than a geographically separated part of Azerbaijan. Located between Turkiye, Iran and Armenia, the autonomous republic has historically stood at the intersection of important commercial and cultural routes connecting different parts of the region. Today, that geographical position is gaining a new meaning. With major investments in infrastructure, energy, transportation and industry, Nakhchivan is entering a period in which its location could become one of its greatest economic advantages.

The attention given to Nakhchivan by the national leadership has deep historical roots. Heydar Aliyev played a particularly important role in shaping the republic’s modern political and economic trajectory. During his years in Nakhchivan, he attached particular importance to strengthening the region’s position within Azerbaijan and preserving its economic and strategic significance at a difficult period in the country’s history. His approach to Nakhchivan was based not only on protecting its immediate interests, but also on understanding the autonomous republic’s broader historical and geopolitical importance.

That legacy has continued under President Ilham Aliyev. Nakhchivan’s development has remained a consistent element of state policy, reflected in repeated presidential visits, infrastructure projects and programmes aimed at strengthening the republic’s economic potential. President Ilham Aliyev has visited Nakhchivan 16 times and, during these visits, participated in the opening of numerous social, economic and infrastructure facilities while setting priorities for the region’s future development.

The scale of the recent transformation is becoming increasingly visible. The 2023-2027 State Programme for the socio-economic development of Nakhchivan established 11 priority areas, covering economic growth, social development and the deeper integration of the autonomous republic into Azerbaijan’s economy. Since 2023, hundreds of production and service facilities have been created, while preferential financing has supported hundreds of entrepreneurial projects.

The economic figures also point to a changing environment. Between 2023 and 2025, Nakhchivan’s real GDP increased by 7.6 percent, industrial production rose by 4.6 percent, while transport and warehousing expanded by 25.7 percent. Investment in fixed capital increased 2.5 times over the same period. These figures are important because they show that Nakhchivan’s transformation is not limited to individual construction projects. It is gradually creating a broader economic base.

Yet the most significant opportunity may lie ahead.

For decades, Nakhchivan’s geographical separation from mainland Azerbaijan limited its ability to fully exploit its location. The restoration of direct transportation connections could change this fundamentally. The development of railway links toward Nakhchivan, together with the Qars-Igdir-Nakhchivan railway project in Turkiye, has the potential to place the autonomous republic within a much larger transportation network.

This is where TRIPP and the broader restoration of regional communications become particularly important. The significance of these projects extends beyond the creation of a single transport route. Their larger potential lies in connecting Azerbaijan’s mainland with Nakhchivan and linking these routes with the East-West and North-South transportation corridors.

For Azerbaijan, this means another opportunity to strengthen its position as a transportation hub between Central Asia, the Caspian region, Turkiye and Europe. For Nakhchivan, it could mean a fundamental change in its economic role.

Historically, major trade routes passed through Nakhchivan. The new regional environment creates an opportunity to revive this function in a modern form. If railway connections, highways, customs infrastructure, logistics centres and industrial facilities develop together, Nakhchivan could become a major regional trading and distribution centre.

The comparison with Dubai is therefore useful as a vision of what connectivity can achieve. Nakhchivan does not need to copy Dubai’s economic model. Its own advantage is different: it sits at the meeting point of several countries and transportation directions. With sufficient logistics capacity and investment, this geography could allow it to serve a market stretching from Central Asia to Europe and from the South Caucasus toward the Middle East.

Turkiye and Iran will naturally be central to this process. Nakhchivan’s border with Turkey provides a direct connection to one of the region’s largest economies, while its border with Iran opens another route toward the Middle East and South Asia. At the same time, a peaceful and connected South Caucasus could create new opportunities for economic cooperation with Armenia.

The energy dimension adds another layer to Nakhchivan’s transformation.

Recent investments are strengthening the autonomous republic’s energy infrastructure, including new substations, hydropower facilities and the development of additional generation capacity. The Igdir-Nakhchivan natural gas pipeline, inaugurated in March 2025 in the presence of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, has further diversified Nakhchivan’s gas supply.

This creates the basis for a new energy model. Nakhchivan can gradually move from being primarily an energy-importing territory toward greater self-sufficiency, supported by diversified gas and electricity supplies and a growing role for renewable energy. In the longer term, this could create opportunities not only for energy security but also for electricity production and potential green-energy exports.

The next stage could be the development of industrial and production clusters around the new transport routes. Once logistics become easier and more predictable, companies have greater incentives to establish warehouses, processing facilities and manufacturing operations close to major corridors. Nakhchivan’s industrial park could become an important part of this process by providing infrastructure and incentives for new investment.

This is where the long-term significance of Ilham Aliyev’s Nakhchivan policy becomes particularly visible. The objective is not simply to improve roads, construct buildings or modernize utilities. It is to create the conditions under which Nakhchivan can participate more actively in Azerbaijan’s national economy and in the wider regional economy.

The transformation also represents a continuation of a broader historical approach associated with Heydar Aliyev. His understanding of Nakhchivan emphasized the republic’s strategic importance to Azerbaijan. Under Ilham Aliyev, that strategic vision is increasingly being expressed through economic integration, infrastructure connectivity and international transportation projects.

The significance of Azerbaijan’s military victory is also becoming clearer through this process. The new regional reality has created conditions for transportation links, economic cooperation and infrastructure projects that previously could not be developed in the same form. The next stage is to translate the political and military outcome into lasting economic connectivity.

In this sense, the statement that President Ilham Aliyev has won both the war and the peace carries an economic meaning as well. The victory on the battlefield changed the regional balance. Diplomacy, transportation corridors, railway projects, logistics centres and economic cooperation can now turn those new realities into long-term development.

Nakhchivan could become one of the clearest examples of this transition.

Its future may increasingly be defined by railways rather than isolation, logistics rather than geographical constraints, production rather than limited markets, and energy generation rather than dependence. The roads that once ended at borders could become connections between major markets.

If these projects continue to develop as planned, Nakhchivan may enter a new era in which its historical role as a crossroads is revived in a modern form. The autonomous republic could become an important link between Azerbaijan’s mainland, Turkiye, Iran, Central Asia and Europe, while also contributing to the creation of a new transportation and economic map for the South Caucasus.

The deeper significance of this transformation is that Nakhchivan’s geography is no longer simply a challenge to overcome. It is increasingly becoming an asset to be used.

The vision associated with Heydar Aliyev’s strategic understanding of Nakhchivan and the infrastructure-driven development policy pursued by Ilham Aliyev are converging at a particularly important moment. As regional communications reopen and Eurasian trade routes diversify, Nakhchivan has the opportunity to turn its historic position at the crossroads into a modern economic gateway.

A new chapter is therefore beginning for Nakhchivan – one in which the republic can move from the periphery of regional trade toward the centre of it.