Category: Azer News

Amendments are being made to the Criminal Code, the Code of Administrative Offenses, the Laws “On the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments,” and “On Culture”, Azernews reports.

The draft law was discussed at a joint meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Policy and State Building and the Committee on Culture held on December 5.

The submitted draft law has been prepared with the aim of clarifying provisions related to the protection of cultural property and increasing liability.

The draft law also aims to differentiate liability for acts involving the damage or destruction of cultural property based on the amount of harm caused and the form of guilt.

According to the amendments, legal entities may also be held criminally liable for intentionally damaging or destroying cultural property, as well as for negligently destroying such property. In addition, failure to immediately halt construction or other economic activities when a historical or cultural monument is discovered, and failure to report this to the relevant authority designated by the executive power, as well as failure to hand over monuments found in treasure hoards to the state, will be considered administrative offenses.

Legal definitions of the concepts “damage to cultural property” and “destruction of cultural property” are being added to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Culture.”

The draft law prohibits the damage or destruction of cultural property regardless of its level of protection, its relocation without the approval of the relevant authority designated by the executive power, as well as any construction, restoration, reconstruction, conservation, or landscaping work that violates their integrity or poses a threat to them.

Director-General of the Azerbaijan Film Agency, Rashad Azizov, has addressed a press conference devoted to the “OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025”, Azernews reports.

In his speech, Rashad Azizov underlined that the festival would feature an extensive program and encouraged companies and institutions in the cultural sphere to take an active part.

“The events held within the framework of the OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025 are being organized according to an extensive schedule. Companies and institutions working in this field are encouraged to be active. The formation of cultural and creative industries has become an important step as a result of President Ilham Aliyev’s policies. Major reforms have been carried out in this area over the past two years. We also aim to share this experience with other countries. Special attention will be given to new innovations,” he said.

The Director-General of the Azerbaijan Film Agency emphasized that the main event will be the Forum on the Organization of Cultural and Creative Industries, along with a film exhibition and the “Creative Village” exhibition featuring OIC member countries. He also noted that the event has already attracted great interest, with visitors from other countries arriving in Baku.

Rashad Azizov added that a very rich program is planned for the week. As part of the film festival, film exhibitions from several countries will be held.

The Nizami Cinema Center will traditionally serve as the main venue. The main location of the event will be the Baku Convention Center.

Throughout the week, various events will take place in different cinemas. The organization of new types of events is also planned.

The international rating agency Fitch Ratings has assigned a long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘BBB-‘ with a Stable outlook to the Southern Gas Corridor Closed Joint-Stock Company (SGC CJSC), Azernews reports.

According to Fitch, the company’s rating is aligned with that of its sole shareholder, the Republic of Azerbaijan (BBB- / Stable). This reflects the fact that all of SGC’s debt obligations are backed by state guarantees, and Fitch expects this practice to continue throughout the forecast period.

The company’s stand-alone credit profile (SCP) is assessed at ‘bbb-‘, supported by strong cash-flow generation, a highly predictable business model based on long-term gas transportation contracts, large-scale operations, and very solid financial metrics. Constraining factors include price volatility in the upstream segment, natural depletion at the Shah Deniz gas-condensate field, as well as counterparty risks and operational challenges in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye.

‘As of end-August 2025, all of SGC’s debt remained fully guaranteed by the state, and we expect this to continue,’ Fitch stated.

The agency notes that SGC operates with extensive scale, geographic diversification, and vertical integration. Specifically, the company is involved in:

Upstream: 16.02% stake in the Shah Deniz gas-condensate field

Midstream: Gas transportation to Southern Europe via Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye, including:

51% in TANAP

21.02% in the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP)

20% in the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)

Downstream: Sales of natural gas to end consumers.

On Friday, Kia Corp. unveiled a new futuristic concept car featuring cutting-edge smart glass, showcasing the company’s forward-looking philosophy as it celebrates its 80th anniversary, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap agency.

The South Korean automaker introduced the Vision Meta Turismo concept, which it describes as ’embodying Kia’s vision for a new era of mobility,’ during a special event marking the company’s founding in 1944.

‘The concept combines dynamic driving performance with a lounge-inspired interior, paying tribute to the speed and elegance of 1960s long-distance touring,’ Kia said in a statement.

The car represents a reinterpretation of three core elements: performance driving, an immersive experience through digital interaction, and the spaciousness of lounge-style interiors.

‘Inside, the design enhances human-mobility interaction through digital technology, creating a highly immersive experience for both drivers and passengers, with unique design touches and a spacious layout,’ the company added. Kia said it plans to reveal further details about the concept in the near future.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Kia also released a book documenting key milestones in its 80-year history, covering everything from bicycles and three-wheeled vehicles to passenger cars and electric models.

‘Kia’s 80-year journey has been remarkable, an epic narrative. On behalf of Hyundai Motor Group, I extend my gratitude to everyone who has been part of Kia’s legacy,’ said Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung. Hyundai Motor Group acquired Kia in 1997.

To commemorate the milestone, Kia will host an exhibition titled ‘The Legacy of Movement’ at Kia Vision Square in Yongin, just south of Seoul. The exhibition will showcase historical models, major products, and concept vehicles, and will remain open to visitors through 2029.

Experts say the Vision Meta Turismo hints at Kia’s ambitions in electric and autonomous mobility, blending retro elegance with futuristic technology-a vision that may shape the next generation of the brand’s vehicles.

The Southern Gas Corridor CJSC (SGC) will begin channeling most of its annual cash flow to SOCAR and the Azerbaijani government in the form of dividends starting in 2026, Azernews reports, citing Fitch Ratings.

According to the agency, SGC’s net leverage ratio (EBITDA-based) is projected to average around 0.5x between 2025-2028, compared to 0.3x in 2024, supported by continued strong cash flows and low capital expenditures. Fitch’s assessment is based on the company’s consolidated profile, which includes full consolidation of TANAP (including dividends to minority shareholders), proportional consolidation of its share in the Shah Deniz production-sharing agreement, and dividend income from the South Caucasus Pipeline and TAP.

Fitch analysts also expect no changes to SGC’s rating structure even if SOCAR sells its stake in XRG, the investment platform of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

‘We believe Azerbaijan will retain control and decision-making authority over the Southern Gas Corridor CJSC,’ the report states. ‘If the parties decide to expand project capacity, this would positively influence corporate governance and technological support, while also improving access to financing.’

Azerbaijan will construct multiple vocational education institutions (VEIs) and carry out major renovations of existing ones to meet modern standards, Azernews reports.

According to a decree signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on additional measures to strengthen the potential of the vocational education system, 21 new VEIs will be built, and two existing institutions will undergo significant renovations between 2026 and 2030.

The decree emphasizes that high-quality vocational education, which develops skills aligned with labor market demands, plays a crucial role in increasing employment levels and labor productivity. The importance of initiatives in this sector has been highlighted in several recent documents, including the ‘Social and Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan’ for 2022-2026, approved by a presidential decree dated July 22, 2022.

The country’s dynamic development and changing labor market demands require modern VEIs with up-to-date infrastructure and teaching resources. Establishing these institutions will help prepare qualified specialists in various fields, enhancing the overall contribution of vocationally trained personnel to the labor market.

Under the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers is tasked with approving a plan for strengthening the potential of the vocational education system within four months and reporting to the President on its implementation. The Ministry of Science and Education will finalize the list of VEIs for construction and renovation and prepare a detailed allocation of the required funding to be submitted to the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan within one month.

The State Oil Fund is mandated to allocate the requisite fiscal resources for the execution of the decree within its annual budgetary frameworks.

The Azerbaijan Culture Ministry in partnership with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), will host the “OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025” in Baku on December 5-11, Azernews reports.

A press conference dedicated to this prestigious event was held on December 5 at the International Mugham Center.

During the event, Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister Saadat Yusufova emphasized that the festival is not only a cultural celebration but also an important platform for the development of creative industries, expanding cooperation opportunities, and establishing new partnerships. She noted that the festival is a significant example of showcasing the multicultural values, cultural diversity, and traditions of tolerance of Azerbaijan to the world.

“Approximately 5,000 visitors are expected to attend the festival. This reflects the wide public interest in the event and demonstrates Azerbaijan’s potential to become a regional center for creative industries,” Saadat Yusufova stressed.

Tariq Ali Bakheet Salah, the OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs, expressed high appreciation for Azerbaijan’s support for solidarity, cooperation, and cultural exchange. He added that Azerbaijan actively participates in initiatives warmly welcomed by all OIC member states.

“This festival is an important platform for promoting cultural cooperation, strengthening cultural ties, and supporting creative initiatives. We are creating a rich environment by bringing together scholars, musicians, artists, and representatives of the creative sector from various countries to share their traditions, heritage, and experiences,” he said.

Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hussein Ghazawi, pointed out that the festival is a celebration of cultural diversity, shared heritage, and solidarity in the Islamic world.

“Today, we are witnessing the wide participation of OIC member states, as well as representatives of the creative industries from various parts of the Muslim world. This broad representation further proves the importance of cultural diplomacy and the strength of our shared values,” he added.

He also mentioned that through this festival, the OIC’s mission-to bring our peoples closer together, promote mutual respect, common development, and sustainable progresswill take on real content and form. These values are the foundation of the OIC Charter.

Director-General of the Azerbaijan Film Agency (ARKA) Rashad Azizov said that the main event will be the Creative Industries Forum, which will include a film exhibition, as well as a “Creative Village” exhibition featuring countries from the OIC. He noted that the event has already generated significant interest, with visitors from other countries coming to Baku.

In his speech, Rashad Azizov outlined that a rich program is planned for the week, including film screenings from several countries as part of the cinema festival, with the Nizami Cinema Center traditionally serving as the main venue. The main venue for the event will be the Baku Congress Center. Various events will take place at different cinemas throughout the week, with the organization of new types of events also planned.

Note that OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025, being hosted for the first time in Azerbaijan, will further demonstrate the country’s growing role on the international cultural platform and its contribution to promoting multiculturalism, dialogue, and cooperation traditions in the region. The event will bring together over 300 official representatives, as well as experts from the fields of science, culture, and creative industries from nearly 50 countries. This will demonstrate the unity of the OIC family and solidarity around shared values.

During the festival, there will be high-level meetings of OIC member states’ ministers of culture, the “Cultural and Creative Industries Forum” (MYFORUM), the “Creative Village: Cultural and Creative Industries Exhibition” (MYEXPO), the “Baku Cinema Breeze – 2025” international film program, the “East Fashion Show” featuring young and renowned designers from OIC countries, an international summit on gaming technologies (G-HUB), and various cultural projects in theater, music, dance, and animation.

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), a part of AZCON Holding, has launched a new digital service called DAFAR (Disruption Assistance For Any Reason), offering passengers protection against unexpected changes in flight schedules.

The service aims to provide timely assistance in cases such as delays or cancellations.

DAFAR is available as an optional add-on during the ticket booking process on AZAL’s official website and mobile app. The solution has been introduced in partnership with HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions), a leading global travel technology platform.

The service is offered for an additional fee, with the cost depending on the route. Once activated, the system automatically monitors the status of the flight. If a flight is delayed by 2 hours or more, or cancelled on the day of travel, the passenger receives a notification and is offered:

· Rebooking on any airline operating the same route, within a set limit, at no extra cost;

· A 100% refund of the ticket price, while still allowing the passenger to continue their journey on the original AZAL flight if they wish.

Commenting on the launch, Jamil Manizade, Chief Commercial Officer of Azerbaijan Airlines, said:

‘This partnership will allow us to drive customer loyalty and provide a more responsive service to our passengers.’

Dakota Smith, President and Co-Founder of Hopper and HTS, added:

‘We are proud to partner with Azerbaijan Airlines to service more customers in Eurasia. With our fintech ancillaries, we are offering a solution that adds significant value to passengers.’

HTS is a leading global travel technology platform, uses its data advantage and AI-driven travel technology to help partners address modern traveler needs. The company has developed several unique fintech ancillaries that address everything from pricing volatility to trip disruptions. Working with the world’s leading banks, airlines and travel providers, HTS supercharges its partners’ direct channels with its travel fintech and e-commerce products.

The first meeting of the Ministers of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the Turkic States Organization (OTS) is underway in Baku, Azernews reports.

The meeting, held under the theme ‘Cooperation in the Field of Labor for Shared Prosperity in Turkic States,’ brings together officials from member states – Azerbaijan, Trkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan – as well as representatives from observer countries, including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Hungary, and Turkmenistan. Senior leaders from the OTS are also in attendance.

Key speakers at the event include Azerbaijan’s Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, Anar Aliyev; OTS Secretary-General Kubanichbek Omuraliyev; First Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, Kamchybek Dosmatov; Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction, Sirojiddin Bobokulov; Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Viktoriya Shegai; Northern Cyprus Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Oguzhan Hasipoglu; Hungary’s State Secretary for Employment Policy at the Ministry of National Economy, Sándor Czomba; and Turkmenistan’s Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Halbibi Tachjanova.

The meeting will conclude with the signing of the Declaration of the First Meeting of OTS Ministers of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection.

The mobile operator supports young engineers at RobotChallenge competition

Azercell continues to support initiatives to foster innovation and strengthen technology skills among youth in Azerbaijan. The mobile operator has become the official sponsor of the International Robot Olympiad (RobotChallenge) in the country, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious robotics competitions. As part of this collaboration, Azercell will support the organization of the national qualifying round, scheduled for 2026.

Registration for the competition is open until February 18, 2026, for the Programming stage (online), and until March 25, 2026, for the Robotics stage.

This global technology festival has brought together thousands of young engineers and programmers from over 80 countries since 2004. The project aims to cultivate interest in robotics, identify schoolchildren with strong STEAM skills, and prepare them for international-level competitions. Teams achieving the highest scores in the national selection round will represent Azerbaijan at the global finals in China.

Students and teams interested in joining RobotChallenge 2026 can find detailed information and apply at www.robotchallenge.az .