Category: Azer News

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s largest automaker, announced on Wednesday that its sales rose by 8.3% in September compared to the same month last year, driven primarily by strong demand for high-end and sport utility vehicle (SUV) models, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap agency.

The company sold 372,298 vehicles in September, up from 336,140 units in September 2024, according to an official statement.

Domestic sales surged 18.3% to 66,001 units, compared to 55,805 a year earlier, while overseas sales increased 6.4% to 306,297 units from 287,872.

The top-selling model in the domestic market was the Avante sedan with 7,657 units sold, followed by the Santa Fe SUV with 5,763 units, and the Grandeur sedan at 5,398 units.

From January to September, Hyundai’s total sales increased by 1.1%, reaching 3,110,909 vehicles, up from 3,075,720 in the same period last year.

‘Strong sales of our flagship models have continued to drive year-on-year global growth,’ said a Hyundai Motor spokesperson. ‘We will continue to expand our market share steadily by launching new vehicles with exceptional product appeal.’

Hyundai has been aggressively investing in electric and hybrid SUVs, positioning itself as a major player in the growing eco-friendly vehicle market, which is expected to be a key driver of future growth worldwide.

The 11th Baku International Book Fair has opened its doors at Baku Expo Center, Azernews reports.

Organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the event was attended by members of the Azerbaijani Parliament, government officials, as well as representatives of literature and foreign guests.

During the opening ceremony Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament, People’s Artist Polad Bulbuloglu stated that this international exhibition demonstrates Azerbaijan’s cultural potential, the development of the publishing industry, and the strengthening of ties with world literature. He expressed confidence that such projects will expand even further in the future.

In his speech, President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Academician Isa Habibbayli stressed that the book fairs are significant events in the cultural life of society.

According to him, such events not only present new books but also create extensive opportunities for the development of reading culture, the strengthening of reading habits, and the exchange of scientific and literary ideas. The academician emphasized that these exhibitions serve to promote the national and spiritual values, to familiarize the public with world literature, and to introduce Azerbaijan’s rich scientific and cultural heritage.

The Azerbaijan’s Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) Sabina Aliyeva emphasized that such international exhibitions are of great importance not only for culture but also for education, particularly in expanding legal knowledge.

She outlined that the events like these, aimed at raising awareness about human rights, contribute to the development of legal thinking and legal culture in society, help citizens better understand their rights and duties, and create a foundation for increasing transparency and accountability in the activities of government institutions.

Other speakers at the event, including People’s Writer and First Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, Chingiz Abdullayev, Deputy Culture Minister Farid Jafarov, and Chairman of the Azerbaijan Publishers Association, Shamil Sadik, all highlighted the significance of the exhibition in the development of book culture in the country.

They stated that the exhibition serves as a bridge between writers and readers, contributing to the increasing interest of the new generation in literature and promoting national literary heritage.

In line with the contemporary challenges of the world, this year’s Baku International Book Fair, dedicated to the theme “Techno-Human: Yesterday’s Legend, Today’s Reality,” features 68 foreign organizations from 23 countries (Turkiye, Italy, the USA, Argentina, the UK, Lithuania, Qatar, Indonesia, Spain, China, South Korea, etc.) and 123 local publishing houses, printing, and book-related enterprises.

The 11th Baku International Book Fair will be recorded in history as the one with the highest number of foreign participants. Spain, Kuwait, and Indonesia are participating for the first time.

Over the course of seven days, more than 220 events are planned to take place in presentation zones, booths, and conference rooms.

The exhibition will feature masterclasses for children and adults, book presentations on inclusivity and other relevant topics, book signings, conferences, symposia, competitions, reading and music hours, as well as cooperation platforms for the participants of the book industry.

This year, the State of Qatar is the honorary guest country. Qatar is represented at the fair by a large delegation consisting of government officials, renowned scientists, literary figures, and artists.

The International Pavilion of the exhibition showcases Qatar’s unique cultural heritage, contemporary literature, and artistic treasures. Additionally, in the special zone for children, interactive presentations, examples of children’s literature, and cultural programs will be organized for young visitors.

Azerbaijan’s People’s Writers, poets, well-known young authors, as well as famous foreign writers are participating in the exhibition.

For the first time this year, the exhibition halls have been organized in accordance with international standards.

Two halls have been opened at the Baku Expo Center this year, with foreign participants being represented in the International Hall.

Given the intensification of commercial relations between local and foreign entities in the book industry sector, a “Networking Zone,” “Illustrators Wall,” and “Signature Zone” (for book signing ceremonies after authors’ presentations) have been created for the first time at the exhibition.

As in previous years, the exhibition will host a specially designed “Children’s World,” story hours, performances, and other activities for young readers. In other words, opportunities for reading are provided for every member of the family at the exhibition.

During the book fair, visitors will be able to use special buses from the “Elml?r Akademiyasi,” “28 May,” and “Koroglu” metro stations to the Baku Expo Center throughout the daytime.

Entrance to the exhibition is free of charge.

The Presidium of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) has held a meeting to discuss key strategic initiatives, Azernews reports.

One of the main topics on the agenda was the Academy’s participation in the upcoming 11th Baku International Book Fair.

In his speech, President of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) Isa Habibbayli, stated that the 11th Baku International Book Fair.

Academician Isa Habibbayli emphasized that the relevance of the theme “Technohuman: Yesterday’s Legend, Today’s Reality” stems from the need to thoroughly analyze, on scientific and philosophical grounds, the changing position and functional role of humans in society against the backdrop of rapidly developing technologies, as well as the influence of artificial intelligence and digital technologies on human activity.

He also spoke about the recent reforms carried out by ANAS in line with state policy in the field of artificial intelligence and particularly highlighted comprehensive measures aimed at applying AI technologies in the humanities and social sciences.

Touching on the importance of ANAS’s high-level participation in the 11th Baku International Book Fair, academician Isa Habibbayli noted that this would not only support the state’s science and technology development strategy but also serve as an important platform to showcase ANAS’s modernized scientific priorities.

He gave instructions to ensure the active participation of all ANAS scientific institutions and organizations in the fair and to present the latest scientific publications to the public.

Following this, Sabuhi Gahramanov, Director of the ANAS Elm Publishing House and PhD in Philology, provided information on the preparations for the fair.

He noted that ANAS publications would be presented in two segments: on October 1, under the theme “At the Academy: Bibliographic Publications and Serial Academic Editions,” and on October 4, under the theme “The Academy’s Zangazur-name: From Folklore Collections to Academic Research.”

He added that preparations have been finalized and all necessary measures have been taken to ensure ANAS’s participation at a high level.

Taking all of the above into account, a relevant Commission has been established to ensure ANAS’s participation in the fair and to organize the necessary events and discussions within the framework of the book fair.

Organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the 11th Baku International Book Fair will be held from October 1 to 7 at the Baku Expo Center.

This year’s fair, themed “Technoman: yesterday’s legend, today’s event”, will create opportunities for broad discussions on the impact of technology on human life in the scientific and cultural context of the modern era.

The fair will feature participation from 41 foreign organizations from 18 countries and more than 100 local publishing, printing, and book-related institutions.

Throughout the fair, a variety of events will be organized, including masterclasses for children and adults, book presentations on inclusion and other relevant topics, book signings, conferences, symposiums, contests, reading and music hours, and collaboration platforms for stakeholders in the book industry.

More than 250 events in various formats are planned over the course of the fair.

Prominent writers and scholars from countries such as Turkiye, Argentina, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Qatar, and others will also take part.

Special shuttle buses will be available for visitors from the “Elml?r Akademiyasi,” “28 May,” and “Koroglu” metro stations to the Baku Expo Center. Admission to the fair is free of charge.

The exhibition will be open daily from 10:00 to 20:00.

A conference dedicated to Azerbaijan’s contribution to Ukraine’s energy security and the joint development of renewable energy projects between the two countries was held in Kiev, Azernews reports.

The event, hosted at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, focused on shaping the future of bilateral energy cooperation. Organized by the Azerbaijan-Ukraine Energy Association, the conference discussed the integration of renewable sources such as solar, wind, and small hydropower, the use of modern energy storage technologies, and new avenues for scientific, technical, and investment collaboration.

Among the speakers were Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Energy Nikolay Kolesnik, Ukrainian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Yuri Gusev, Counselor of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kiev Rovshan Huseynzade, Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Sergey Nagornyak, and co-chairs of the Azerbaijan-Ukraine Energy Association Pyotr Romanov and Shahin Yusifov. They praised the progress made in bilateral cooperation, while underscoring Azerbaijan’s vital support in helping Ukraine restore energy facilities damaged during wartime strikes.

It was noted that both countries share a common interest in strengthening regional energy security and advancing green energy initiatives. During discussions, particular attention was given to Azerbaijan’s planned supply of natural gas to Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan route through Bulgaria and Romania starting in July 2025 – an important step in diversifying Ukraine’s energy imports.

At the close of the event, participants adopted a resolution that will serve as a roadmap for future joint projects.

“Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia” has been approved, Azernews reports.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the “Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia”, signed in Phnom Penh on July 21, 2025, has been approved.

Subsequent to the activation of the Memorandum of Understanding delineated in the initial segment of this decree, it is incumbent upon the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan to facilitate the execution of its stipulations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan shall be required to formally communicate to the Government of Cambodia that all requisite internal protocols for the activation of the Memorandum of Understanding have been duly finalized.

Azerbaijani taekwondo national team member Ziya Hasanli (63 kg) has secured the country’s first gold medal at the 3rd CIS Games, Azernews reports.

This accomplishment represents a historic moment for Azerbaijani taekwondo.

Following his win, Hasanli expressed his feelings, mentioning that he had undergone rigorous preparation over a long period to achieve the championship:

“I achieved my goal, and I’m happy. The final fight was especially tough, but I managed to win. Winning the first taekwondo gold in the history of the CIS Games is an incredible feeling.”

On his way to the gold medal, Hasanli competed in three matches, showcasing remarkable strength and determination throughout:

“I faced three opponents. The toughest was the last fight, but I was ready, and I’m very happy with my performance. My next goal is to become an Olympic champion”, he concluded.

The third Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Games are underway in Azerbaijan from September 28 to October 8, 2025, marking a major highlight in the region’s sports calendar.

This multi-sport event unites athletes from CIS member nations and invited countries, aiming to foster friendship, cooperation, and sporting excellence.

For the first time in the history of the CIS Games, competitions are being held across seven Azerbaijani cities: Ganja, Mingachevir, Gabala, Shaki, Goygol, Yevlakh, and Khankandi.

Each city is hosting different sports, with Ganja, the country’s second-largest city, serving as the central hub and officially recognised as the CIS Sports Capital for 2025.

The event’s mascots, Babir and Leyla, are engaging young fans and building excitement around the games.

About 23 sports are taking place at 12 venues, showcasing a diverse and comprehensive program.

CIS Games 2025 brought together approximately 1,624 athletes from 13 countries.

The trial of Armenian national Ruben Vardanyan, charged under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan for crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other grave offenses, continued on September 30, Azernews reports.

The open hearing was held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, with judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, and reserve judge Gunel Samedova. The defendant was provided with interpretation into Russian, his native language, and was represented by a lawyer of his choosing.

At the outset, Judge Agayev introduced the court panel, state prosecutors, interpreters, and others involved in the proceedings to the victims and their legal successors appearing for the first time, and explained their rights and obligations under the law.

The court noted that interpreter Islam Agakerimov, who had previously participated in the preparatory hearings, had notified the court that he was unable to attend due to health reasons. Earlier, Vardanyan himself had requested Agakerimov’s participation, and the court had issued him a summons.

Defense attorney Avraam Berman requested access to the court session protocols and the provision of additional copies of decisions on defense motions. Judge Agayev replied that the defense would be granted access to the protocols and asked that they specify which rulings they sought copies of.

The hearing then continued with testimonies from victims and their legal successors.

Camal Heydarov, legal successor of victim Shair Heydarov, testified that his son was killed in Lachin as a result of enemy fire.

Sevinc Jalilova, mother of victim Devid Jalilov, stated that her son was killed in Aghdara due to fire from remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups.

Javanshir Zulfuqarov testified that his son was killed by enemy fire.

Farid Aliyev, son of victim Tofiq Aliyev, said his father was killed by sniper fire in Khankendi from remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian units.

Answering questions from Prosecutor Nasir Bayramov, Shirzad Samedov, brother of victim Siraj Abishov, stated that his brother was killed when an anti-tank mine exploded in the village of Susuzlug, Kalbajar. ‘My brother was an AzTV cameraman. Alongside him, AZERTAC correspondent Maharram Ibrahimov and Arif Aliyev, deputy head of the Susuzlug village administrative unit, were also killed. Four others were injured,’ he said.

Victim Elkin Mirzayev testified that he sustained shrapnel wounds in Khojaly from enemy fire.

Victim Rauf Huseynov said he was wounded when an enemy mortar shell exploded, killing several people nearby.

Victim Orkhan Baladov stated that he and several others were injured when their car was struck by a rocket in the village of Janyatag, Aghdara district.

Victim Eltun Mammadov said he was injured by enemy fire in Dashalti, Shusha.

Victim Mukhtar Aliyev testified that he was shot in the leg in Gulabli village, Aghdam, by enemy fire, in which another person was killed.

Victim Nazir Jalilov reported that he was wounded when his car came under enemy fire in Shusha district.

Victim Parvin Babayev said he was injured by artillery fire in Shusha.

Victims Emil Aliyev, Farhad Rzayev, and Ayyub Mammadov testified that they were wounded by enemy fire in the Kalbajar direction.

Answering Prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev’s questions, Vidadi Mammadov said he was wounded during mine clearance work in Lachin when the enemy opened fire.

Victim Raqif Aliyev stated that his car was hit by a rocket in Janyatag, Aghdara district, injuring him and several others and killing some people.

Victim Asgar Guliyev testified that he sustained injuries to his leg from enemy fire near Shusha, where several others were killed or wounded.

Other victims – Anar Aziz-zade, Aydin Verdiyev, Yunis Ismayilov, Valeh Mammadov, Ali Maharramov, Jeyhun Hasan-zade, Nicat Teymurov, Eltekin Hasanov, Yahya Guliyev, Arif Abbasov, Vusal Huseynov, Ali Alakbarov, Zaur Mammadov, Vasif Osmanov, Mehti Mursalov, and Alizamin Ismayilov – testified that they were wounded across different Azerbaijani regions due to provocations, gunfire, and mines planted by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal armed groups.

Medical forensic reports on the victims were also announced during the session.

The next hearing was scheduled for October 7.

Ruben Vardanyan faces charges under numerous articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, including: planning and waging aggressive war (Articles 100.1, 100.2), deportation and forced displacement (107), persecution (109), enforced disappearance (110), unlawful imprisonment (112), torture (113), mercenarism (114.1), violations of the laws and customs of war (115.2, 116 series), premeditated murder and attempted murder (120.2, 29.120.2), illegal entrepreneurship (192.3.1), terrorism (214.2, 214-1), creating a criminal organization (218.1, 218.2), illegal possession of weapons and explosives (228.3), acts endangering aviation safety (270-1), violent seizure of power (278.1), forming unlawful armed groups (279), and illegal border crossing (318.2).

A literary-musical gathering dedicated to the creativity of the prominent Azerbaijani poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan has taken place at the Cultural Centre of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Paris, Azernews reports.

Representatives of French literature and intellectual circles, poets and writers, as well as journalists, attended the literary gathering.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to France, Leyla Abdullayeva, delivered a speech at the event, discussing Khurshidbanu Natavan, the famous 19th-century Azerbaijani poetess and daughter of the last ruler of the Garabagh Khanate. She spoke about Natavan’s rich creative work, her contributions to the development of Azerbaijani literature and art, as well as her charitable activities. The Ambassador provided the participants with insights into the life and legacy of this prominent female figure of her time.

At the gathering, French representatives, including Alain Tremolye, a graduate of the Marseille Conservatory of Dramatic Arts and a classical vocal performer, Fatima Chbiban, the president of the “Rives Méditerranéenes” cultural organization and author of six poetry collections, and Sitara Guliyeva, a literature theory student currently studying at the University of Strasbourg in the field of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean studies and a translator of literary works, spoke about Natavan’s literary contributions. They also recited her ghazals in both Azerbaijani and French.

The presentation of the ghazals was accompanied by Azerbaijani national music and mugham. The performance featured Elchin Naghiyev, the head of the Instrumental Performance Department at the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, playing the tar, and Elshan Mansurov, an associate professor at the Faculty of Arts at Garabagh University, a People’s Artist and master of the kamancha.

The harmonious blend of mugham and the poetic depth of the ghazals not only showcased the richness of Azerbaijani culture but also touched the hearts of the listeners.

At the end of the event, the participants of the Natavan poetry gathering took a commemorative photo in front of the statue of the prominent poetess located in the garden of the Cultural Center.

A large-scale transformation of the global energy system is essential if the world is to keep global warming within the 1.5°C target by 2030, said Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov during the Baku Climate Action Week, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the event, Shahbazov outlined the scale of change required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

‘To stay on track with the Paris Agreement, the world must increase its renewable energy capacity to 11,000 gigawatts by 2030, expand energy storage to 1,500 gigawatts, build or upgrade 25 million kilometers of power grids, and develop new energy corridors connecting generation and consumption centers,’ the minister stated.

He noted that while 582 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity – referred to as “green power” – was added globally in the past year alone, this is not enough to meet the required pace of change.

‘According to IRENA, a 16.6% annual growth rate in renewable capacity is needed to achieve these targets,’ Shahbazov emphasized.

The minister also pointed out that a sustainable energy transition cannot succeed without significant investment in modern grids, storage systems, and efficient transmission infrastructure.

‘Advancing clean energy requires more than just increasing capacity – it demands smarter, more resilient systems to store and transmit energy reliably,’ he said.

The Baku Climate Action Week brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and climate experts to discuss concrete steps toward achieving global climate and energy goals. Azerbaijan is set to host the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), further positioning itself as a key player in the global energy and climate dialogue.

Since its inception in 2018 with ride-hailing solutions, Dubai based Yango Group has rapidly emerged as a global digital ecosystem including mobility, e-commerce, food delivery, fintech, entertainment, and more, across 30 countries in the Middle East, South Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe. It focuses on transforming global technologies into everyday services by adapting cutting-edge solutions for each unique market.

In a special interview with Azernews, Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Business Officer at Yango Group, and Mushvig Hasanov, Country Manager at Yango Azerbaijan, shared insights into Yango’s impressive journey, its rapid expansion across emerging markets, and the company’s forward-looking vision including Azerbaijani market.

Hyperlocality as one of the business development pillars

Adebayo explained that achieving scale in any business requires a strong foundation, much like building a tall structure: ‘The deeper the foundation, the more stories you can build. For Yango Group, this rests on four key elements: capital, technology, operations and local needs’.

Unlike many big tech companies that prioritized developed markets, Yango Group deliberately chose a different path. Seven years ago, the company committed to building in emerging markets, betting on their exponential growth potential. When Yango Ride entered Côte d’Ivoire in 2018, internet penetration was just 18%, smartphones cost roughly $1,000, and mobile internet data was prohibitively expensive. Yet, Yango saw what others missed: the rapid spread of Facebook and WhatsApp revealed pent-up demand for digitalisation, while falling device and mobile data costs would soon open the floodgates to more e-services. Today, smartphone penetration has risen to 70% and its cost has dropped fivefold, indeed opening up the market for explosive and rapid growth of digital platforms.

This philosophy of finding signals in hyperlocality has shaped Yango’s strategy and approach to market development. The company realised that ride-hailing is just one of the touchpoints in people’s daily lives. ‘The future is not in isolated services, the real opportunity lies in building a connected ecosystem – products that work together to make life more convenient and efficient, designed and localized for each market’. The results validate this thesis. Today, Yango operates in over 30 countries, enabling more than 2 million people to earn income through its platform, and serving over 50 million monthly users.

While many multinational companies struggle between offering a uniform international product or adapting locally, Yango prioritizes serving people where they are today, rather than expecting users to adapt to a global template. For instance, in Lima, Peru, where city zones form ‘mini cities’ due to social activity patterns, Yango designed mini zones within its app, allowing partner drivers to operate only within their preferred areas.

Another example is Pakistan, where Yango introduced a rickshaw tariff tapping into a cultural phenomenon deeply embedded in daily life. Rickshaws offer an affordable and flexible transport option, especially in the country’s busy urban areas. Yango also partnered with local artists to craft distinctive branding for the service, featuring vibrant artwork that reflects the community’s cultural essence. The goal was not only to promote this option but also to honor a deeply rooted tradition while making it easily accessible to users through the app.This approach embodies a broader philosophy: technology and products must adapt to users’ lives, not vice versa.

Hyperlocality then isn’t just about localization, it’s Yango’s way of turning global scale to local trust. ‘By embedding into communities, respecting local context, and creating services that feel like ‘our own’ in every market, our goal is to build foundations for enriching city living across the world’, says Adebayo.

He explained that Yango views its operations as part of broader ‘city services’ – how people move, pay, eat, and deliver in urban environments. The company actively brings together restaurants, taxi companies and transportation providers, delivery services, digital content providers, and more, helping them distribute through its platform. This inclusive philosophy makes partnerships fundamental to Yango Group’s DNA.

Partnership as the bedrock of growth

‘The company’s primary partnership is with the countries and cities where it operates, committing capital, innovation, and products to help digitize urban services and improve lives’ continues Adebayo. This foundational partnership extends to governments and citizens alike, ensuring services reflect local needs.

Yango is open to integrating its solutions directly into city infrastructure. In Lima, Bogotá and several other markets, Yango has partnered with local providers to install live bus tags, allowing residents to see in real time where buses are and when they will arrive. Since buses remain the backbone of urban transport in these cities, especially during rush hours, this simple integration has brought enormous convenience. Similar projects are under discussion in Baku and other cities.

Equally critical is Yango’s mapping and navigation infrastructure. Far from being an internal tool, Yango Maps is now widely used by partner taxi companies and integrated into city systems. By investing in the continuous local update of maps, traffic flows, and incident reporting, Yango not only helps drivers respond faster to road conditions but also provides cities with better visibility on how people move.

$100 million investments and forward-looking vision for Azerbaijani market

Yango Group has invested $100 million into the Azerbaijani market, underscoring its long-term commitment to the country’s digital transformation. Mushvig Hasanov, Country Manager at Yango Azerbaijan, highlighted the company’s rapid progress since its entry nearly three years ago: ‘We began with Yango Ride, and today Yango has grown into a super-app that streamlines everyday tasks. From ride-hailing to restaurant and grocery delivery, logistics, ‘Navigator’ for real-time traffic routing, and ‘Transport’ for public transit planning-everything is now available in one familiar app.’

This investment reinforces Yango’s role as both a technology partner and urban services enabler, bringing global innovation while tailoring solutions to Azerbaijan’s local needs.

Azerbaijan: a regional hub for innovation