Category: Azer News

On December 19, a solo exhibition by artist Emil Aziz titled “Pattern and Silhouette” will open at the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Azernews reports.

The exhibition will feature 50 works by the author, distinguished by their thematic diversity.

The main idea of the exhibition, which presents the rich cultural heritage of Garabagh in a contemporary visual language, is to merge the memory preserved for millennia by carpet ornaments with the aesthetic sensibilities of the 20th-21st centuries.

Garabagh horses depicted in harmony with ancient carpet patterns, as well as portraits of women, hold a special place in the exhibition. The movement, strength, and poetic silhouette of the horse are in harmony with the structured rhythm of the ornaments. In other works, carpet motifs are presented as expressions of a woman’s identity, spirit, connection to the past, and modes of self-expression in the modern world.

Pattern and Silhouette, where tradition meets modernity, is an artistic manifesto that demonstrates how Garabagh’s cultural treasures are both preserved and reinterpreted for the future.

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum consistently supports young artists who create new works inspired by our nation’s rich carpet heritage. In this regard, the Pattern and Silhouette project is another noteworthy event in the contemporary presentation of national heritage.

The exhibition will remain open until December 21.

Outdated and unserviceable munitions will be destroyed in the Pir?k?skl settlement and the Agd?r? district, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense.

The Ministry noted that the destruction process will take place between December 15 and 19 in strict compliance with safety regulations. The munitions, whose service life has expired and which are no longer suitable for use, will be disposed of at a training ground near the Pir?k?skl settlement, as well as at a training center located in the Agd?r? district.

The ministry urged local residents not to be alarmed by the sound of explosions, emphasizing that there is no cause for concern and that all necessary safety measures will be observed throughout the process.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has initiated the declaration of amnesty on the occasion of the “Year of Constitution and Sovereignty”, Azernews reports.

Thanks to the political will and salvation mission of the National Leader of Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, an independent Azerbaijani state was established and strengthened, and the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, adopted under the leadership of the Great Leader, laid the legal foundation of the modern statehood.

As a result of the resolute and far-sighted strategy, unshakable leadership of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev – the worthy successor of the Great Leader’s political course – and the unparalleled heroism of the Armed Forces, the Victory achieved in the Patriotic War, as well as the subsequent local anti-terrorist operation, fully restored the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

considering the restoration of sovereignty and the full establishment of the supreme legal force of the Constitution throughout the entire territory of the country as the greatest historical achievement of the Azerbaijani people, and guided by the traditions of humanism and compassion, belief in the rehabilitative significance of exemption from punishment, and confidence that those released will abide by the law and contribute to the development of the state, President Ilham Aliyev has initiated the declaration of an amnesty.

According to the draft amnesty act, it is envisaged to release from punishment or criminal liability persons who participated in combat operations to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including the Patriotic War and the anti-terror operation conducted on September 19-20, 2023, as well as close relatives of persons who were killed or went missing in these operations, persons who became disabled as a result of the Republic of Armenia’s military provocation against the civilian population, as well as women, persons who have reached the age of 60, minors at the time of committing the crime, and other persons.

In addition, the draft provides for the release from punishment or reduction of the unserved portion of sentences for a number of persons sentenced to imprisonment for crimes that do not pose a great public danger, less serious crimes, or crimes committed through negligence.

The amnesty act submitted by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Milli Majlis is expected to be the largest amnesty in the country’s history in terms of the number of beneficiaries. It is projected to apply to more than 20,000 individuals, including the release of over 5,000 convicts from imprisonment, sentence reductions for more than 3,000 imprisoned persons, exemption of more than 7,000 convicts from restriction of liberty, exemption of nearly 4,000 convicts from other non-custodial or suspended sentences, and exemption of more than 1,000 individuals from criminal liability.

Alphabet, Inc. announced that it will harness the advanced capabilities of its AI model Gemini to improve translations in its Search and Translate apps, Azernews reports.

The update aims to deliver more accurate and nuanced translations, including idioms, local expressions, and slang. The new feature is being rolled out today in the United States and India, enabling translations between English and nearly 20 other languages.

In addition, Alphabet introduced a beta version of live translation, allowing users to hear real-time translations through their headphones. The current version supports over 70 languages and has launched in the U.S., India, and Mexico, with plans to expand to iOS users and additional countries in 2026.

Furthermore, Google Translate’s language learning tools have been updated and expanded to nearly 20 new countries, including Germany, India, Sweden, and Taiwan, enhancing accessibility for language learners worldwide.

The 11th Vugar Hashimov Memorial, dedicated to the memory of the late Azerbaijani chess player and European champion Vugar Hashimov, has concluded in Khankandi, Azernews reports.

Six chess players competed in rapid and blitz tournaments held at the Congress Centre.

In the end, Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE) emerged as the winner of the memorial with 13 points. Vladimir Fedoseev (Slovenia) took second place, while Azerbaijani representative Rauf Mammadov finished third.

The awards were presented to the winners by Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov, Deputy Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Khankandi city, Agdara and Khojaly districts Sabuhi Gahramanov, and President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation Mahir Mammadov.

The tournament was organised by the Vugar Hashimov Chess Foundation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Azerbaijan Chess Federation.

Participants included Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE), Amin Tabatabaei (Iran), Vladimir Fedoseev (Slovenia), Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzbekistan), Rauf Mammadov, and Aydin Suleymanli.

Vugar Hashimov Memorial was first held in 2014, and since 2023, the tournament has held the status of a FIDE World Championship qualifying event.

In 2024, the Vugar Hashimov Memorial took place in the city of Shusha.

Ian Nepomniachtchi, competing under the flag of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), outperformed all his rivals to take first place in the memorial tournament.

In the rapid competition, the grandmaster scored 10 points and added 9 points in blitz, ultimately finishing with a total of 19 points to win the tournament.

Uzbekistani player Nodirbek Abdusattorov (18 points) secured second place, while Azerbaijani representative Shakhriyar Mammadyarov (16 points) took third place.

Vugar Hashimov (1986-2014) made a remarkable contribution to the chess history of Azerbaijan.

He played for Azerbaijan’s national team in the Chess Olympiads in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008.

Hashimov won a bronze medal in the European Team Championship in 2007 and became the European Champion with the national team in 2009.

He was the European vice champion of the national team in 2011 and the winner of the Reggio Emilia tournament in 2010-2011.

bp today announced the successful completion of a social initiative jointly implemented with ADA University and ADA University Foundation in Ganja and Gazakh, Azernews reports.

An event was held at ADA University, Gazakh Centre, on 13 December to mark this achievement.

The project aimed to strengthen teachers’ capacity to recognise and address mental health challenges among schoolchildren, contributing to the prevention of more serious mental health crises.

The overall goal of the project was to equip teachers with the necessary skills to recognise early signs of mental health challenges in children and provide initial support and early intervention.

As part of the project, a comprehensive training programme was developed for schoolteachers on identifying mental health issues and applying early intervention tools. Throughout the year, this 40-hour training programme was delivered to approximately 60 schoolteachers from regional schools, enhancing their understanding of mental health issues, child psychology, and emotional well-being.

The programme was structured into four groups of 15-20 teachers each, with the training for each group lasting for two months and combining offline and online weekend sessions.

The project also enabled the establishment of teacher support networks to foster peer learning and continuous development, enabling teachers to share experiences and challenges in addressing mental health issues.

Addressing the event, Khalid Rajabov, bp’s head of social investment for the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Trkiye region, said: ‘We are proud to support initiatives that make a real difference in communities. Mental health is a critical aspect of children’s well-being. This initiative has laid the foundation for early mental health intervention in schools across the region, creating a network of trained educators who can identify challenges before they escalate. By fostering awareness and equipping teachers with the right tools and knowledge, we intended to contribute to healthier learning environments and long-term community well-being.’

Natig Hajiyev, ADA University Foundation president, said: ‘This project reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening business-education collaboration and contributing to meaningful social responsibility initiatives. We sincerely thank bp for its continuous partnership and for bringing greater purpose and added value to our shared efforts. We remain eager to advance this collaboration further and to reach new levels of impact together.’

The project was implemented by the ADA University Foundation. bp’s contribution to the project is 240,488 AZN ($141,464).

An Organizing Committee has been established in connection with hosting the 2027 FIFA U-20 Men’s Football World Cup in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed the relevant decree in this regard.

The decree notes that hosting such a prestigious sporting event as the U-20 Men’s Football World Cup will further strengthen Azerbaijan’s growing reputation as a sports country and positively contribute to the high-level organization of similar major projects in the future.

The Organizing Committee has been formed to oversee preparations for Azerbaijan’s hosting of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027, with the following structure in place:

Chairman of the Organizing Committee

Samir Sharifov – Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee

Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Members of the Organizing Committee:

Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the city of Khankendi, Agdere, and Khojaly districts

Head of the Baku City Executive Power

Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Chairman of the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan Deputy Chairman

Deputy Head of the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Head of the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Deputy Head of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the State Agency of Automobile Roads of Azerbaijan

President of “Azerbaijan Airlines” Closed Joint-Stock Company

Chairman of “Azerishig” Open Joint-Stock Company

President of “Azerenerji” Open Joint-Stock Company

Executive Director of the Association of Medical Territorial Units Management

Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan

President of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan

Head of the Executive Power of Ganja City

Head of the Executive Power of Gabala District

Head of the Executive Power of Sumgayit City.

Coordination with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) regarding the hosting of the tournament has been entrusted to the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA).

The Organizing Committee will address all necessary matters related to the preparation and staging of the U-20 Men’s Football World Cup in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy has signed a new contract with the U.S. law firm White and Case LLP, Azernews reports.

Under the agreement, the firm will provide legal support for the implementation of renewable energy projects, as well as address issues arising from previously signed contracts in this field.

As part of the arrangement, White and Case LLP has been engaged as an international consulting firm for the relevant projects.

In return for its services, the Ministry of Energy has paid the company 453,000 manats.

t is worth noting that the Ministry has previously concluded similar contracts with the U.S.-based firm for the provision of the same services.

A number of documents have been approved between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the “Agreement on cooperation between the Ministries of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan”, signed on October 21, 2025, in Astana, was approved. After the Agreement specified in Part 1 of this decree enters into force, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan must send a notification to the Government of Kazakhstan on the completion of the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Agreement.

By a subsequent decree, the head of state approved the “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Statistics” between the State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan and the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of Kazakhstan. This memorandum, signed on October 21, 2025, in Astana, outlines the framework for bilateral collaboration.

Upon the entry into force of the aforementioned memorandum, as stipulated in Part 1 of this decree, the State Statistical Committee of Azerbaijan is tasked with ensuring the effective implementation of its provisions. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan is responsible for notifying the Government of Kazakhstan upon the completion of the necessary internal procedures for the memorandum’s activation.

The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) has published information on the Global South NGO Platform (GSNP), which was established in Baku in April 2025 by NGOs from 116 countries, on its official website as an example of a new model of cooperation.

According to Azernews, UNOSSC has described the GSNP as one of the most inclusive civil society mobilisations of recent years.

This marks the first time that the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation has highlighted a global initiative proposed by Azerbaijani NGOs and disseminated it through its official profile.

It should be noted that concern has long existed over the fact that the Global South-encompassing Latin America, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Australia, where 80 percent of the world’s population lives-is often excluded from international decision-making processes and unable to determine its own destiny at critical moments. Against the backdrop of ongoing processes of disintegration, the creation of cooperation formats based on the principles of mutual trust, benefit, equality, consultation and respect for cultural diversity has become more relevant than ever. The Global South NGO Platform, established at a time when a new world order is taking shape and dividing lines are being redrawn, is of particular importance as a clear manifestation of the necessity to unite against global marginalisation.

Until now, there has been no single network bringing together NGOs within the Non-Aligned Movement region. For the first time, an initiative put forward by Azerbaijani civil society has received international support from a vast region encompassing two-thirds of the world’s countries, with NGOs from 116 countries gathering in Baku to establish a joint platform. The participation of civil society representatives from 116 of the 120 countries represented in the Non-Aligned Movement is an unprecedented development not only for Azerbaijan, but also on a Global South scale. While the Non-Aligned Movement has youth and parliamentary networks, it previously lacked an NGO network. The Global South NGO Platform is well suited to serve as the NGO network of the Non-Aligned Movement. The founding spirit of this platform fully aligns with the historic ‘Bandung Principles’ adopted in Indonesia 70 years ago. These principles reject interference in the internal affairs of states, promote the creation of a peaceful and just world order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensure equality among peoples, and call for mobilisation to strengthen mutual interests, cooperation and economic prosperity.

Azerbaijan is a country that adheres to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, respects the political systems as well as the cultural, ethnic and religious diversity of peoples, and consistently promotes interfaith, intercivilisational and intercultural dialogue.

It should also be noted that in May this year in New York, UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib issued a statement welcoming the establishment of the Global South NGO Platform in Baku. She emphasised that the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation is interested in close cooperation with the Global South NGO Platform.

The publication of information about the GSNP on UNOSSC’s official website once again demonstrates that the activities of this Platform have attracted global attention within a short period of time.