Category: Azer News

The American technology company Meta plans to introduce a new age verification system called AgeKey in many countries in 2026, Azernews reports.

This was announced in an interview with the British newspaper Financial Times by Meta’s Head of Security, Antigone Davis.

‘Different countries around the world have different age-verification requirements that companies like ours must follow. There are many verification solutions currently available on the market, which is why we are trying to take a more comprehensive and universal approach,’ she said.

According to Davis, AgeKey will be based on the same technology used for passkeys, which allow smartphones to recognize fingerprints or facial features to unlock devices. Meta is currently working with the Singapore-based company K-ID to integrate AgeKey into its platforms. K-ID already collaborates with services such as Discord and Snap, helping them tailor content according to a user’s age.

At the same time, governments in many countries are tightening regulations on minors’ access to social media. On December 9, a law came into force in Australia banning people under the age of 16 from using social networks. According to the country’s internet regulator, social media platforms operating in Australia have been required since December 10 to deactivate accounts belonging to children and teenagers. Denmark plans to restrict access to social media for users under 15 starting in 2026. In France, President Emmanuel Macron has also expressed his intention to push for legislation banning social media access for children and adolescents under the age of 15-16.

Experts note that initiatives such as AgeKey could significantly change how online platforms handle age-sensitive content. If widely adopted, the system may reduce the need for users to share personal documents, potentially offering a more privacy-friendly way to protect minors while allowing adults to retain full access to digital services.

The Azerbaijan Judo Federation (AJF) has received international recognition with two of its social projects nominated for awards at the Judo Awards 2025, organized by the International Judo Federation (IJF), Azernews reports. The voting process will remain open until January 15, 2026.

The nominated initiatives reflect AJF’s commitment to promoting judo as a sport that fosters both personal growth and social values.

The first project, “First Step into Judo”, has been nominated in the category of Judo for Children Project of the Year. It introduces children to the fundamentals of judo, encouraging discipline, respect, and healthy living from an early age.

The second project, “World Judo Day – Peace”, has been nominated as the Judo for Peace Project of the Year. This initiative highlights the role of judo in promoting harmony and understanding, using the sport as a bridge for peace.

Voting rules stipulate that participants must register before casting their votes, and each person can vote only once per category. These nominations underscore Azerbaijan’s growing influence in the global judo community and demonstrate the federation’s dedication to both athletic excellence and social responsibility.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art worldwide. Since 2015, the Federation has been led by Rovnag Abdullayev.

The country’s modern judo history was laid by Mehman Azizov, who won a silver medal at the Old World Championship in 1998.

A year later, the winner of the World Youth Games in Moscow, Rasul Salimov, grabbed the bronze medal at the European Championship in Slovakia. Another national judoka, Elchin Ismayilov, became the European champion in 2000 in Wroclaw.

However, the achievements of Azerbaijani judo fighters did not stop there. Elnur Mammadli was named the best at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 73 kg division.

The list of the country’s top judo fighters includes Rustam Orujov, Irina Kindzerskaya, Mammadali Mehdiyev, Elmar Gasimov, Hidayat Heydarov, Zelim Kotsoev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.

Diplomacy World magazine regularly focuses on pressing issues in foreign and global policy. Its latest special issue is dedicated to the legacy of COP29, highlighting the outcomes and long-term impact of the conference.

As reported by Azernews, citing Azertac that the issue reflects the positions and activities of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for COP29, Yalchin Rafiyev, said the timing of the special issue’s publication carries both special and symbolic significance. ‘Azerbaijan has already handed over the COP presidency to Brazil, making this an appropriate moment to revisit and assess the contributions we made to the COP process and the legacy we left behind,’ he noted.

Rafiyev also emphasised that preparations for COP31 have already begun in brotherly Trkiye, adding that Azerbaijan stands ready to provide comprehensive support to Trkiye within the COP framework. He noted that the special issue also serves as an important opportunity, ahead of COP31, to remind countries of the commitments they have undertaken.

Addressing the presentation ceremony of Diplomacy World magazine’s 61/2025 special issue, Rafiyev said that once Azerbaijan was entrusted with hosting COP29, preparations began immediately and were accompanied by a number of challenges. ‘Despite these difficulties, within a short period we were able to form an almost entirely new climate diplomacy team,’ he stated.

He noted that preparing for a large-scale, complex international event with extremely high global expectations in less than a year posed serious challenges in terms of planning and the effective management of parallel processes. Nevertheless, the deputy foreign minister underlined that the successful high-level organisation of COP29 and the decisions adopted constitute an important legacy, strengthening international confidence in Azerbaijan.

According to Rafiyev, Azerbaijan acted as a chair that built bridges between countries and demonstrated an open, constructive approach to dialogue. ‘This approach has further reinforced our country’s reputation as a reliable partner in global processes and significantly enhanced its diplomatic standing,’ he added.

According to a new report from the Swedish Public Employment Service, the labor market has failed to return to its pre-crisis level over the past year. The unemployment rate is not expected to return to pre-crisis levels before the end of 2027, Azernews reports.

Analysts note that the labor market remains weak due to a prolonged economic slowdown caused by a combination of previously high inflation, rising interest rates, uncertainty in global trade policy, and subdued private consumption. These factors have negatively affected not only people with lower levels of education, but also professionals with secondary and higher education.

Despite a slight decline in unemployment during the autumn, the unemployment rate in 2025 remains higher than in the previous three years. On average, around 367,000 people are registered as unemployed in Sweden. According to forecasts, this number is expected to fall to approximately 345,000 in 2026, and by 2027 it may return to pre-crisis levels.

The first signs of improvement are mainly visible among young people, who tend to respond more quickly to economic recovery. However, significant challenges remain for young people without a completed upper secondary education, as well as for jobseekers with disabilities.

A survey conducted by the Employment Service among employers shows that more than half of the organizations that attempted to recruit staff in the past six months experienced difficulties in finding suitable candidates, despite the high unemployment rate. The most common reasons include a lack of relevant work experience and insufficient educational qualifications. As a result, many employers are beginning to relax experience requirements, creating more opportunities for entry-level workers, although the need for further training and reskilling remains urgent.

Experts emphasize that improving the situation will require a substantial expansion of participation in formal education and vocational training programs, particularly those targeting sectors with labor shortages. In addition, investments in digital skills and green industries are seen as a potential driver of job creation and long-term labor market resilience.

A special event marking World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day was held in London, organized by the British Azerbaijani Association.

As reported by Azernews, speaking at the event, Hafiz Bakhshaliev, Chairman of the Association, said that World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day is a powerful symbol of national unity and cohesion. He noted that the unity of Azerbaijanis living abroad, their mutual support, and commitment to national values play a vital role in strengthening Azerbaijan. Bakhshaliev noted that the main mission of diaspora organizations is to bring Azerbaijanis together, preserve national identity, and pass it on to future generations.

Also addressing the gathering, Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United Kingdom, stated that Azerbaijan is today a rapidly strengthening country with growing influence both in the region and on the international stage. He highlighted that under the far-sighted and consistent leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has achieved significant successes in political, economic, and cultural spheres. The ambassador added that the development and proper promotion of Azerbaijani culture abroad are crucial to enhancing the country’s international standing, and in this regard, the activities of diaspora organizations are of particular importance.

The event featured a concert program by Aisel (Aysel Mammadova), the talented Azerbaijani singer and Azerbaijan’s representative at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. Her performance, which combined traditional Azerbaijani music with contemporary pop songs, added a vibrant and festive atmosphere to the celebration.

Aisel’s high level of professionalism, dynamic stage presence, and live performances were met with great enthusiasm and applause from members of the Azerbaijani diaspora. Her repertoire reflected both the promotion of Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage and the presentation of modern Azerbaijani music on the international stage.

Minister of Finance Sahil Babayev has met with Ms Vladanka Andreeva, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Mission in Azerbaijan, on the occasion of the completion of her term of office, Azernews reports.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the meeting focused on the ‘Framework Document on Cooperation for Sustainable Development for 2026-2030,’ signed between the Government of Azerbaijan and the UN in October. The sides discussed the document’s alignment with national development priorities and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as mechanisms for translating its provisions into concrete outcomes.

It was noted that the Framework Document, developed in close coordination with the Government of Azerbaijan, is expected to serve as a key platform for promoting inclusive economic growth, strengthening human development, enhancing climate and environmental sustainability, and advancing ‘green growth’ and a just transition. These objectives are in line with Azerbaijan’s ‘Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2022-2026.’

Minister Babayev underlined the importance of Azerbaijan’s multifaceted partnership with various UN specialised agencies in implementing the country’s national development agenda and sustainable development goals. He also outlined Azerbaijan’s current priorities aimed at further expanding this cooperation and ensuring the effective realisation of joint initiatives.

For her part, Ms Andreeva expressed gratitude for the high-level partnership and cooperation established between the UN Country Office in Azerbaijan and the Government during her more than four-and-a-half-year mandate. She emphasised that this cooperation has made a meaningful contribution to advancing Azerbaijan’s national development agenda and sustainable development goals, and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to continued engagement, particularly through the implementation of the ‘Framework Document on Cooperation for Sustainable Development 2026-2030.’

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Babayev highly appreciated the Resident Coordinator’s contribution to the development of UN-Azerbaijan relations and wished her success in her future endeavours.

The opening ceremony of the first boxing tournament dedicated to Aghajan Abiyev, Honored Worker of Physical Culture and Sport of Azerbaijan, Honored Scientist, and recipient of the “Shohrat,” “Sharaf,” and 1st-degree “For Service to the Fatherland orders has been held in Baku, Azernews reports.

The tournament is being held among boys born in 2012-2013. The ceremony began with the performance of Azerbaijan’s National Anthem, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs. Participants, coaches, and referees entered the sports arena to the sound of a march.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Farhad Hajiyev, highlighted Aghajan Abiyev’s invaluable contributions to Azerbaijani sport and his significant role in the development of boxing in the country.

Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee Chingiz Huseynzade described the tournament as a landmark event, noting that Aghajan Abiyev was the initiator of the first international youth boxing tournament in Azerbaijan during the independence period.

He emphasized that organizing such a tournament in the late 1990s played a crucial role in establishing Azerbaijan’s reputation as a host nation in the international sports arena. Huseynzade also presented Abiyev with a special award recently conferred by the European Olympic Academy in recognition of his services to the Olympic Movement and the development of sport.

Advisor to the President of the Azerbaijan Boxing Federation Samir Huseynov spoke about the importance of the tournament, noting that last week Azerbaijan’s youngest boxer, Subhan Mammadov, became a world champion, the youngest in the world to achieve such success.

At the event, Aghajan Abiyev signed a boxing glove and presented it to Subhan Mammadov. The world champion expressed gratitude for the valuable gift and voiced confidence that he would repeat his success at the Olympic Games.

Rector of the Azerbaijan Sport Academy Fuad Hajiyev praised Aghajan Abiyev’s contributions, noting that he led the Academy for nearly 28 years and, as both an international referee and a scholar-pedagogue, played a special role in shaping young athletes.

Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee, Chair of the Azerbaijan Sports Veterans Public Union, and Olympic champion Zemfira Meftakhetdinova stressed the importance of the tournament for young athletes. She then presented Abiyev with a membership card of the Sports Veterans Union.

International referee Elnur Mammadli expressed gratitude to the organizers and wished success to the participants. The panel of referees was introduced, and a video clip about Agajan Abiyev was screened. Following the artistic program, the quarterfinal matches began.

The tournament has gathered nearly 100 boxers representing Baku clubs “Golden Glove,” “Dinamo,” “Education,” “Neftchi,” AHTIA, and MOIK, as well as teams from Ganja and Sumgayit.

Competitions are being held across 18 weight categories, with international referee Anar Nagdiyev serving as chief judge. The final bouts will take place on December 19.

A closing event dedicated to the Agribusiness Festivals is being held in Baku today.

As reported by Azernews, the event will mark the conclusion of the 2025 agricultural year and review the outcomes of key initiatives implemented in recent years.

The programme includes presentations on the results of 90 Agribusiness Festivals held over the past three years, nearly 30 seed exhibitions and sales fairs, credit fairs, product festivals, and state support mechanisms for the agricultural sector. Reports will also be presented on bootcamps supporting the implementation of artificial intelligence projects, involving students from around 20 higher education institutions. In addition, a new format of the Caspian Agro International Azerbaijan Agricultural Exhibition, scheduled for May 2026, will be unveiled.

The event brings together high-level government officials and institutional leaders, including Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov; Minister of Science and Education Emin Amrullayev; Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population Anar Aliyev; Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov; Chairman of the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency Goshgar Tahmazli; Chairman of ASAN Service Ulvi Mehdiyev; Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency Zaur Mikayilov; Chair of the Milli Majlis Committee on Agrarian Policy Tahir Rzayev; Head of the Agrarian and Ecology Department of the Cabinet of Ministers Latif Gasimov; Minister of Agriculture of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Rafail Guliyev; President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organisations of Azerbaijan Mammad Musayev; as well as heads of the Business Development Fund, the Azerbaijan Banks Association, the State Employment Agency, and several commercial banks.

SOCAR and Hungary’s MOL Group have signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for exploration and production activities in Azerbaijan’s Shamakhi-Gobustan area.

Azernews reports, citing SOCAR, that the agreement was signed by SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf and MOL Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Zsolt Hernádi.

Under the agreement, MOL Group will act as the project operator and hold a 65 percent participating interest in the joint exploration project, while SOCAR will retain a 35 percent stake.

As part of the project, seismic surveys are scheduled to commence in early 2026, followed by drilling operations at a later stage.

It was noted that this fully negotiated agreement represents an important milestone in the strategic partnership between SOCAR and MOL Group, building on their successful previous cooperation. The deal follows the signing of a Heads of Terms Agreement between the two companies during Baku Energy Week on June 3, 2025.

MOL Group entered the Azerbaijani market in 2020 by acquiring a 9.57 percent stake in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) oilfield and an effective 8.9 percent interest in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline transporting crude oil to the port of Ceyhan.

President Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to His Majesty the King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Azernews reports.

“Your Majesty,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I am pleased to extend to you, and through you to your entire people, my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the national holiday of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The establishment of Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Bahrain this year is a clear reflection of our bilateral relations reaching a new level and demonstrates the importance we attach to developing our relations, which hold great potential, across all areas.

I am confident that we will successfully continue our joint efforts to deepen the traditional friendly relations and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bahrain, built on mutual trust and respect, in line with the interests of our peoples and countries.

On this remarkable day, I wish you good health, happiness, and success in your high state duties, as well as lasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Bahrain,” the letter reads.