Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defence, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met on December 10 with the delegation led by Viktor Mahmudov, Secretary of the Security Council under the President of Uzbekistan, and Lieutenant General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Defence, who are on an official visit to Baku.

Azernews reports that the Ministry of Defence, the visit began with the delegation laying wreaths at the Alley of Honor, paying tribute to National Leader Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva. The guests then visited the Victory Park, where they placed a wreath at the Victory Monument.

A formal welcoming ceremony was held at the Ministry of Defence, during which the delegation reviewed the guard of honor. The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were performed, and the ‘Book of Honor’ was signed in accordance with protocol.

During the meeting between the two sides, Colonel General Hasanov emphasized that the bilateral military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is founded on strong ties of friendship and brotherhood. The heads of the Uzbek delegation noted that cooperation in the military sphere contributes significantly to the development and strengthening of both countries’ armed forces.

The discussions covered a wide range of issues, including cooperation in military, military-technical, and military education fields, as well as other matters of mutual interest in the defense sector.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Ministries of Defence of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed the bilateral military cooperation plan for the year 2026.

As part of the official visit, the Uzbek delegation also visited the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, familiarizing themselves with the main areas of activity of subordinate departments. The visitors’ questions were addressed during the briefing.

On December 10, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, met with Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the margins of the international conference titled ‘The Role of Women in Modern Society: Promoting International Cooperation for Sustainable Development’ in Turkmenistan.

The meeting emphasized that bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Zamin International Public Foundation, contribute to the development of high-level ties between the two countries.

The sides underlined the importance of the international conference in Turkmenistan in promoting the active involvement of women in political and economic life, as well as expanding multilateral dialogue and partnerships. The discussion also highlighted the significance of strengthening the role of women across various sectors, including education and healthcare, to ensure sustainable development.

Vietnam’s National Assembly on Wednesday approved an amended education law that will eliminate the traditional secondary school diploma starting in 2026, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

Under the revised law, students who complete the primary and secondary education programs and meet the requirements set by the Ministry of Education and Training will have their achievement certified directly on their academic transcripts by the school principal, rather than receiving a separate diploma.

The amendment also waives tuition fees and provides free textbooks for all public school students, from primary through high school, according to the report.

The new law is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, marking a significant shift in Vietnam’s approach to education.

Education experts say this move reflects a growing trend in some countries to prioritize continuous assessment over traditional final exams, aiming to reduce student stress and better evaluate learning outcomes. Some students and parents have already joked that the new system could make ‘graduation ceremonies more about celebration than paperwork.’

The 11th Vugar Hashimov Memorial has kicked off in Khankandi in honor of the late chess player and European champion Vugar Hashimov, Azernews reports.

The event, organized at the Congress Center, began with the performance of the Azerbaijan National Anthem. Afterwards, a video clip about the history and geography of the Memorial was shown to the audience.

In his speech, Sabuhi Gahramanov, Deputy Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Khankandi, Aghdara and Khojaly districts, spoke about Vugar Hashimov’s role in the history of Azerbaijani chess. He stated that the Memorial is not only a commemorative event but also a sign of deep respect for the late grandmaster. Gahramanov emphasized that since Khankandi’s liberation from occupation, the city has successfully hosted many local and international competitions.

Mahir Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation, recalled that the 10th Vugar Hashimov Memorial was held in Shusha. He expressed deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the support shown in organizing the tournament. Speaking about Vugar Hashimov’s contributions to Azerbaijani chess, the FIDE Vice President said that his achievements continue to inspire young intellectual talents. He also noted that world-renowned chess players always eagerly participate in this tournament. Mammadov expressed confidence that the competition would be held at a high level and in a fair manner.

At the end of his remarks, the Federation President congratulated Rauf Mammadov, who has won all chess tournaments held in Azerbaijan this year.

Later, the memory of Vugar Hashimov’s father, Qasim Hashimov – former Chairman of the Memorial’s Organizing Committee, who passed away in January this year due to a tragic incident – was honored with a moment of silence.

Serkhan Hashimov, the current Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Vugar Hashimov Memorial, promised that the tournament would continue to be held in the future. He stated that hosting the event in Khankandi is a historic moment. Hashimov then officially declared the tournament open.

Chief Arbiter Rauf Hajili provided participants and guests with information about the tournament regulations. According to him, the Memorial will consist of rapid and blitz events. Both competitions will be held in two rounds, and the winner will be determined based on the total number of points scored.

Six chess players will compete in the rapid and blitz events of the tournament, organized by the Vugar Hashimov Chess Foundation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Azerbaijan Chess Federation.

The intellectual contenders, including Ian Nepomniachtchi (FIDE), Amin Tabatabaei (Iran), Vladimir Fedoseev (Slovenia), Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzbekistan), Rauf Mammadov, and Aydin Suleymanli will test their strength over two cycles.

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.

Preparations are underway in Baku for the upcoming II Azerbaijan-Trkiye Investment Forum, slated for December 23, Azernews reports.

Supported by the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Trade of Trkiye, the event is jointly organized by AZPROMO and the Public Union of Turkish-Azerbaijani Businessmen and Industrialists (TÜIB). Ahead of the forum, a dedicated press conference was held on December 10 to brief media representatives on the program and expectations.

According to the organizers, this year’s forum is expected to gather more than 500 attendees, including senior government officials, representatives of state institutions, major business leaders, chambers, and industry associations from both countries. The event aims to deepen economic integration, expand bilateral business cooperation, and present new investment prospects across key sectors.

The inaugural Azerbaijan-Trkiye Investment Forum, held on December 21, 2023, brought together over 600 delegates and featured discussions across energy, trade, agriculture, defense industry, and health tourism. The success of the first event laid the groundwork for a more extensive and strategically focused program this year, reflecting the rapidly growing economic partnership between the two brotherly states.

The second forum is designed to elevate cooperation to a new stage, offering broader thematic coverage and stronger institutional engagement.

The full program will include an opening ceremony, a signing ceremony, investment pitches, and six thematic panel sessions:

Panel 1: Interregional trade and logistics corridors

Panel 2: Agrarian partnership – sustainable development and food security

Panel 3: Energy transformation – innovation and post-COP29 perspectives

Panel 4: Green urbanization and sustainable infrastructure

Panel 5: Azerbaijan-Trkiye business cooperation – challenges and opportunities

Panel 6: Industry 4.0 – technologies of the future

These discussions aim to highlight emerging trends, promote joint initiatives, and map out long-term pathways for economic collaboration.

To further support business engagement, Turkish companies will be offered organized visits to industrial parks, free economic zones, and logistics hubs across Azerbaijan. These site tours will allow participants to explore investment-ready locations, familiarize themselves with the country’s industrial capabilities, and identify areas for partnership in sectors such as manufacturing, transport, green energy, and high-tech industries.

A fresh chapter in Azerbaijan-Hungary energy cooperation has opened following a high-level meeting between SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf and MVM Group CEO Karoly Matrai on December 10, 2025, Azernews reports.

SOCAR released a statement noting that the sides reviewed ongoing cooperation across various segments of the energy sector and exchanged views on current projects, emerging priorities, and long-term partnership opportunities. The discussions touched on the expansion of collaboration in gas supply, infrastructure development, sustainable energy solutions, and broader regional energy initiatives – areas that have steadily gained strategic significance for both countries.

During the meeting, SOCAR and MVM ONEnergy signed a new natural gas supply agreement that will take effect on January 1, 2026. This renewed arrangement builds on the foundations of their previous cooperation, which has been marked by reliability and mutual benefit over the past years. According to SOCAR, the continuity of the agreement demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening long-term energy cooperation and contributing to regional energy security.

The new deal further institutionalizes the growing energy partnership between Azerbaijan and Hungary, reinforcing Baku’s position as a dependable supplier in Central Europe and reflecting Budapest’s increasing engagement with Azerbaijan as part of its diversified energy strategy.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been allocated 1,000,000 manat (equivalent to $588,149) from the reserve fund of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as designated in the State Budget for 2025, to support the organization and execution of the upcoming ‘Yukselish’ competition in 2026, Azernews reports.

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

According to the decree, from the reserve fund of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, provided for in the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been allocated 1,000,000 (one million) manats for ongoing work related to the next Yukselish competition in 2026.

The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan should ensure the financing provided for in part 1 of this Decree.

The Organizing Committee, established by Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 1354 of July 26, 2019, ‘On the Establishment of the Yukselish Competition,’ should resolve issues arising from this Decree.

The “Asset Integrity and Corrosion and Coatings Conference” opened this week, bringing together more than 500 delegates from over 20 countries, including leading industry experts, company executives, and global technology providers, Azernews reports.

The event focuses on the latest developments in asset integrity management, corrosion mitigation, and protective coating technologies – areas increasingly vital to the energy sector’s future.

Speaking at the opening session, Deputy Vice President of SOCAR and Executive Director of SOCAR Midstream Gas Operation highlighted the strategic importance of maintaining existing infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability.

He stressed that proper integrity management not only prevents incidents but also extends the lifespan of assets, reducing the need for new construction.

Maintains of existing infrastructure is not only about the cost, it is about the responsible use of materials and minimizing environmental impact.

The speaker added that each industrial project consumes significant natural resources, and maintaining current systems is essential for sustainability across the entire value chain: “Our aim in integrity management is to ensure sustainability.”

Corrosion – described as a growing global threat – was another priority topic. The SOCAR representative emphasized that the challenge extends beyond the oil and gas sector and will remain significant even as companies transition to new energy systems.

“Corrosion causes economic losses and environmental damage, and improving our protective coatings is crucial. Though we have to concentrate on improving the coatings applied to our systems to prevent further corrosion. Of course, the industry also needs to advance new technologies,” he said.

The conference features two main tracks: the Asset Integrity Conference and the Corrosion and Coatings Conference. The programme includes more than 50 technical sessions, several panel discussions, and extensive networking opportunities aimed at encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Over 50 speakers are delivering presentations, while more than 25 companies are showcasing advanced technological solutions. The event plays a key role in aligning regional industry practices with international standards, supporting safer, more efficient, and more sustainable infrastructure management across the energy sector.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev completed his official visit to the Slovak Republic on December 9.

A guard of honor was lined up for the President of Azerbaijan at Bratislava’s Milan Štefánik International Airport.

President Ilham Aliyev was seen off by Peter Vodráška, Chief of Staff of the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic, and other officials.

Kazakhstan is preparing to unveil the final conclusions on the tragic crash of an AZAL Embraer-190 near Aktau, but officials say the report will only be published after two foreign laboratories complete their examinations, Azernews reports.

This was confirmed by Kazakh media with reference to the Ministry of Transport, which emphasized that the external analyses are a mandatory component of the investigation’s final stage.

Under ICAO requirements, the final report on an air accident must be released within 12 months from the date of the incident, meaning the authorities are nearing the deadline for the December 2024 crash.

The Embraer-190 went down near the port of Aktau on December 25, 2024, with 67 people on board. Thirty-eight passengers, including six Kazakh citizens, lost their lives.

Beyond the human toll, the incident generated diplomatic strain between Azerbaijan and Russia, as the aircraft was reported to have been damaged while crossing Russian airspace, prompting questions and concerns that remain part of the ongoing review.