Category: Azer News

The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) reported that a landmine incident occurred on January 7, 2026, in the village of Mehdili in the liberated Jabrayil district, Azernews reports.

The incident involved Rashad Nariman oglu Mammadov, born in 1985, an employee of a private company engaged in humanitarian demining operations. While performing his official duties, he triggered an anti-personnel mine, sustaining minor injuries to his leg.

The injured worker was immediately evacuated to the district central hospital, where his condition was described as satisfactory, and his life is not in danger.

ANAMA continues to emphasize the risks associated with landmines in liberated territories and calls for strict adherence to safety protocols during demining operations.

It is worth noting that Azerbaijan faces one of the most severe landmine contamination problems in the world as a result of the decades-long Garabagh conflict. Vast areas of the country’s liberated territories remain polluted with landmines and unexploded ordnance, posing serious risks to civilians and delaying large-scale reconstruction. According to official data, thousands of mines are detected and neutralized each year during humanitarian demining operations. The mine threat continues to hinder infrastructure development, agricultural activity, and the safe return of internally displaced persons. Azerbaijan’s National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) leads clearance efforts, working with both local and international partners.

Azerbaijan and Ukraine are working to strengthen ties at the regional level, focusing on renewed collaboration between local administrations.

Azernews reports that Ukrainian Ambassador to Baku, Yuri Husyev, shared details of the initiative on his page on the ‘X’ (previously known as Twitter).

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mutallim Mirzayev, has discussed bilateral relations between Baku and Riyadh at the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Azernews reports that Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy body said that the ambassador was received by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati and Deputy Foreign Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi.

The deputy ministers welcomed the ambassador and wished him success in his new post. The parties also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.

It is worth noting that Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1993, with bilateral trade reaching $310 million in 2024, according to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy. The two countries cooperate in energy, investment, and cultural sectors, with Saudi firms participating in infrastructure and construction projects in Azerbaijan.

Moreover, in recent years, Baku and Riyadh have strengthened ties through high-level visits, including meetings between foreign ministers and heads of state. The countries also collaborate in international organisations such as the UN and OIC, promoting regional stability and economic development. Trade and investment initiatives remain a priority for both sides.

Further to the cooperation between the two countries, both sides are strengthening cooperation in the field of green energy as part of their broader efforts to diversify energy portfolios and support the global transition to clean power. Both countries, traditionally known as major hydrocarbon producers, are increasingly investing in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind to ensure long-term energy security and sustainable economic growth.

The partnership focuses on exchanging expertise, exploring joint investment opportunities, and developing renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan, particularly in solar and wind power generation. This cooperation aligns with Azerbaijan’s goal of expanding renewable capacity and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which prioritises clean energy development and reduced reliance on oil revenues. By deepening collaboration in green energy, Baku and Riyadh aim to position themselves as proactive players in the regional and global energy transition.

Humanitarian demining operations carried out in Karabakh and East Zangazur in December 2025 resulted in the clearance of 5,098.7 hectares of land, ANAMA told Trend in response to an inquiry.

According to the agency, a total of 4,169 mines and unexploded ordnance were discovered and neutralized in Garabagh and East Zangazur during the reporting period.

ANAMA also noted that in the liberated areas of the Gazakh district, 4.4 hectares were cleared in December 2025, with five mines and unexploded munitions detected and rendered harmless.

It is worth noting that Azerbaijan remains one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world, a legacy of the Garabagh Conflict. Today, landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to hinder reconstruction and restoration efforts in the liberated territories, delaying the safe return of internally displaced persons to their hometowns.

As part of the ‘Baku White City’ road infrastructure redevelopment project, a modern, metal-structured pedestrian bridge has been constructed over 8 November Avenue, connecting the Fountains Square Park with the White City Boulevard, Azernews reports, citing the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads (AAYDA).

The bridge spans 234 meters in length and varies from 7 to 13 meters in width, featuring a single-span metal truss design. It is supported by one pylon, with suspension cables ensuring stability. The project was commissioned by the Azerbaijan State Agency for Automobile Roads and utilized high-quality construction materials and innovative design solutions.

The bridge’s unique architecture combines pedestrian safety, attractive lighting, spacious walkways, and a welcoming atmosphere, while the thoughtfully designed landscape creates an enjoyable walking experience. This infrastructure is expected to play a key role in ensuring pedestrian comfort and accessibility in Baku’s White City.

Pedestrians can now easily move between Zaman Square, Fountains Square, and the White City Boulevard. Escalators and elevators installed on the bridge will also provide access to the future ‘White City’ metro station, further enhancing connectivity.

With its modern design and strategic location, the bridge is set to become a favorite spot for both residents and tourists visiting Baku.

The Secretariat of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) officially welcomed Dr Philip Mshelbila as the newly appointed Secretary General during a reception at the GECF Headquarters, Azernews reports.

The programme included a formal handover ceremony and a management meeting with the GECF Offices and Departments, co-chaired by outgoing Secretary General HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel and HE Dr Philip Mshelbila, marking an orderly and collegial leadership transition.

During the meeting, the Secretariat’s Offices and Departments provided an overview of their activities, institutional engagements, and managerial priorities, giving Dr Mshelbila a comprehensive briefing on current operations and strategic deliverables.

In his remarks, HE Eng. Mohamed Hamel highlighted the importance of continuity, institutional memory, and collective commitment, noting that his tenure focused on consolidating the Forum’s achievements and enhancing GECF’s international recognition as a respected global platform for natural gas dialogue.

HE Dr Philip Mshelbila expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and praised the strong institutional foundations established by his predecessor. He reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Secretariat to advance GECF’s strategic role and global engagement in a rapidly evolving energy landscape, while preserving the Forum’s mission and character.

The meeting concluded on a positive and constructive note, reflecting shared confidence in the Forum’s trajectory and future direction.

According to a new study, using ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools may lead to a more superficial understanding of information compared to traditional Google searches, Azernews reports.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania conducted a series of experiments involving nearly 10,000 students, comparing learning outcomes when using AI versus search engines. They found that participants who used ChatGPT provided shorter and less detailed explanations, remembered fewer facts, and were less likely to summarize the information they received. Similar patterns emerged when studying topics related to health and gardening. Additionally, other students rated the advice generated by AI as less helpful.

Experts from the University of Agder in Norway also commented on the results.

‘When we search for information on Google, we have to put in the work: evaluating results, selecting sources, reading and interpreting data, and then independently assembling individual fragments into a complete picture. This takes time and effort-and it’s precisely this effort that promotes deeper learning,’ explains Morten Goodwin, a professor of artificial intelligence.

The study did not assess the accuracy of AI responses. However, other scientists, including experts from OpenAI, note that ‘hallucinations’ remain a fundamental problem even for the most advanced AI models. AI often guesses answers and can provide incorrect information instead of admitting it doesn’t know. According to Erik Velddahl, a professor at the University of Oslo, ChatGPT is not a knowledge base but a language model that generates the most likely sequences of words.

Researchers emphasize that the issue is not the AI tools themselves, but how people use them. When used correctly-such as treating AI as a starting point or a tool for idea verification-it can complement learning rather than replace critical thinking. In other words, AI can serve as a helpful compass, but the journey to real knowledge still requires effort from the learner.

As a yearly tradition, President Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to local TV channels. As we step into a new year, we can say that a new economic geometry is emerging in Azerbaijan. Energy, transit, and industry are being folded into a single strategic axis, by design, not accident. The aim is to outgrow hydrocarbons without forfeiting energy primacy, to turn geography into bargaining power, and to fuse green electricity with industrial heft through a recalibrated partnership with China. Renewables, manufacturing localisation, and the Middle Corridor are no longer adjacent policies; they are mutually reinforcing parts of a single development model.

That logic shaped the recent high-level interview itself. The range of questions and their density forced repeated returns to the same economic terrain. But each pass sharpened the picture. Familiar themes were revisited from different angles, with successive answers adding depth rather than repetition.

Read as a whole, the responses form a connected argument. Diversification, clean energy, and transit are not being pursued in isolation but welded into a strategy meant to future-proof growth and recast Azerbaijan as both a green-energy node and a regional conduit in a more crowded global economy.

The core claims of that strategy merit closer examination, in sequence.

The comprehensive strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China is proving to be a catalytic force in turning President Ilham Aliyev’s ambitious vision for economic diversification into tangible, large-scale projects, especially in renewable energy and industrial modernization.

‘I believe that one of the events of great importance is our strategic partnership with China. Last year, during my state visit to China, a Joint Statement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was signed, and this can also be considered a great success. Because China is one of the leading countries in the world, and this political framework, political platform, of course, can be viewed as evidence of our successful diplomacy.’

Expanded in context, this statement underlines that Azerbaijan’s engagement with China is not transactional, but structural. By anchoring cooperation in a comprehensive political framework, Baku ensures that economic projects, especially in energy and industry, are protected from short-term fluctuations and geopolitical pressure. The partnership institutionalizes trust, allowing large-scale investments in sensitive sectors such as energy grids, renewables, transport corridors, and high-tech manufacturing.

This is reinforced by the President’s emphasis on continuity:

‘I believe that the important political documents signed between us. resulted in two documents on strategic and then comprehensive strategic partnership being adopted and signed, giving a significant boost to the development of bilateral economic ties.’

Recent developments show Chinese enterprises signing agreements on several renewable energy projects, including photovoltaic and wind power plants with a combined capacity of over 1,570 megawatts, a move that is expected to double Azerbaijan’s renewable generation capacity once commissioned. Chinese firms are also set to build a 3 GW solar panel manufacturing facility in the Alat Free Economic Zone, a development that could seed high-tech manufacturing and localization of clean energy equipment in Azerbaijan’s economy.

Beyond renewable energy, this partnership supports broader connectivity ambitions. China is funding new rail links involving complex terrain engineering projects, which will increase freight traffic to the Caspian Sea and reinforce Azerbaijan’s role in the Middle Corridor, further diversifying non-oil transit revenue streams.

Baku has firmly positioned renewable energy at the heart of its future development model. President Aliyev has articulated clear national targets:

‘According to the existing plans, 6,000 megawatts of solar, wind, and hydropower will be included in our system by 2030, and 8,000 megawatts by 2032.’

This expansion is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on natural gas for electricity generation, allowing for additional gas exports and domestic savings, while simultaneously enabling clean energy exports where feasible. The push towards renewable capacity is already attracting global investment: UAE’s Masdar, Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, and bp are building major solar and wind plants. Local Azerbaijani companies are also joining this renewable trajectory.

At the UN General Assembly, President Aliyev noted that almost 40 % of Azerbaijan’s electrical energy could be generated by renewables by 2030, underscoring how integral clean energy has become to the national energy mix.

A decisive challenge, and opportunity, lies in grid expansion and energy storage. President Aliyev acknowledged that to absorb the planned renewable capacity, Azerbaijan must strengthen its transmission networks and build battery storage systems, a cornerstone of modern renewable grids.

Infrastructure alone does not guarantee durability. The leadership’s emphasis on education reform suggests an understanding that energy transition and industrial ambition rest ultimately on human capital.

“Improving the quality of education, the social security and professionalism of teachers, the testing system, etc. All these factors pursue one goal – to make society literate and knowledgeable. Only then can we achieve long-term development. Otherwise, after our oil and gas run out, we may find ourselves in a very difficult situation. But now we must try to see the future of our people and state decades and centuries ahead. Therefore, this is an extremely important area, and I do hope that the reforms carried out will lead to good results”, – the President stated.

Beyond domestic use, Azerbaijan is pursuing regional electricity connections, including potential under-sea cables across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and export corridors reaching Georgia and potentially Europe. These corridors promise to enhance Azerbaijan’s role as a regional clean power hub and not just a producer for domestic consumption.

China’s contribution goes beyond financing. The country is a global leader in renewable technologies, with installations and manufacturing capacity unmatched globally. This expertise supports Azerbaijan’s renewable rollout and local manufacturing ambitions, from solar panel production to electric vehicle assembly lines, indicating a shift from pure energy projects to integrated industrial development.

The projected 3 GW solar panel plant in Alat is more than an energy facility: it represents the beginning of localized clean tech production, which can spark job creation, technology transfer, and value-added manufacturing.

Azerbaijan’s strategic partnership with China has accelerated its renewable energy ambitions and strengthened the foundations of a diversified, non-oil economy.

The leadership is betting that energy transition, industrial upgrading and transit connectivity are strongest when pursued together. The hydrocarbons era is not being abandoned; it is being leveraged to finance and stabilise a more complex economic architecture.

The partnership with China illustrates this approach well. It is less about quick capital and more about embedding Azerbaijan into global supply chains for clean energy, logistics and manufacturing. Renewable capacity feeds export potential, industrial localisation deepens value creation, and the Middle Corridor turns geography into sustained revenue. Each pillar reinforces the others.

Whether this model delivers will depend on execution, particularly grid resilience, skills development and regulatory consistency. But the direction is clear. Azerbaijan is no longer positioning itself merely as an energy supplier or a transit route. It is attempting to become a system, one that connects power, production and passage in a region where all three are increasingly contested. If successful, this new economic geometry may prove harder to ignore than the old one.

Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov met with Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ACWA Power from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to discuss ongoing and future cooperation in the energy sector, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Energy.

During the meeting, ACWA Power was recognized as an important partner in Azerbaijan’s energy development, reflecting the strong fraternal relations between the two countries.

The discussions highlighted the strategic significance of the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant and joint seawater desalination projects, noting the successful construction of the wind power plant and its connection to the national grid as a key milestone in bilateral cooperation.

The meeting also covered the progress of electricity interconnector projects along the Black Sea, Europe, Central Asia, and Nakhchivan routes.

Both sides assessed prospects for cooperation in the development and transmission of green energy, including partnerships between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia. Beyond electricity production, discussions explored potential collaboration in power transmission, further strengthening regional energy integration and sustainable development initiatives.

Egypt and Syria signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Monday to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

The agreements, which were finalized in Cairo, focus on the supply of Egyptian natural gas to Syria for electricity generation, as well as the provision of petroleum products to meet Syria’s energy needs.

The MoUs were signed during a meeting between Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and a high-level Syrian delegation led by Ghiath Diab, the Deputy Chief of Syria’s Energy Authorities.

Minister Badawi emphasized Egypt’s commitment to providing technical expertise and support to help Syria rebuild its energy infrastructure, which has been severely impacted by years of conflict. The agreements mark a significant step toward regional energy cooperation and economic recovery for Syria.

This collaboration is seen as part of a broader effort by Egypt to enhance its role as a key energy supplier in the region, while also supporting neighboring countries in overcoming their energy challenges. Experts suggest that the partnership could have long-term benefits for both nations, especially in terms of stabilizing Syria’s energy supply and fostering economic ties.