Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry hosted the First Staff Talks between the defense ministries of Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

The meeting, held at the International Military Cooperation Department of the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry, brought together representatives from various divisions of both countries’ defense institutions.

During the talks, the two sides reviewed the current state of bilateral military relations and identified new areas of cooperation. As a result, a draft plan for bilateral military cooperation for 2026 was prepared.

Both delegations delivered presentations outlining the organizational structures of their respective defense ministries and the ongoing reforms being implemented within them.

The sides expressed confidence that continued military collaboration between Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina will serve the mutual interests of both countries and contribute to the further strengthening of their partnership.

On October 7, 2025, the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) convened in Gabala, Azerbaijan, ahead of the 12th Summit of the OTS Heads of State, Azernews reports.

The meeting brought together Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yermek Kosherbayev, Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeenbek Kulubayev, Trkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov, and Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto. Also in attendance were OTS Secretary-General Kubanychbek Omuraliev, representatives of member governments, and heads of international organizations.

Among the distinguished participants was Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, who addressed the gathering.

Ms. Raimkulova expressed her gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for its warm hospitality and for hosting the Summit at such a high level. She emphasized that peace and security remain key priorities for strengthening cooperation among Turkic states and for preserving the region’s shared cultural heritage for future generations.

In her detailed presentation, Ms. Raimkulova reviewed the Foundation’s activities during 2025.

‘This year, we have implemented 65 projects covering restoration, museification, digitization, and cultural exchange programs. Across all our initiatives, we prioritize integration, cooperation, and unity. In line with the Vision of the Turkic World – 2040 document and the Astana Charter, we published the first Multilingual Catalogue of Turkic World Cultural Heritage. This publication will serve as the foundation for the upcoming digital platform Turkic Heritage,’ she noted.

She went on to highlight several key achievements, including the multi-volume Anthology of Turkic Folklore Heritage, implemented under the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and with the support of Turkic leaders.

The Foundation also organized an international conference at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to mark the 950th anniversary of Divani Lughat at-Turk, the monumental lexicon of Turkic languages.

Ms. Raimkulova noted that the Foundation continues to strengthen its partnerships with UNESCO, ICESCO, and other Turkic cooperation organizations, guided by the Vision of the Turkic World – 2040 and TURKTIME documents.

She further underlined that at the informal OTS Summit held in Budapest in May, a historic decision was made to admit Uzbekistan as a full member of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation-a development that has further enriched the Turkic family.

The Foundation’s head also welcomed Turkmenistan’s intention to join as an observer, describing it as an important step and expressing hope that the country would soon become a full member of the organization.

Ms. Raimkulova concluded her address with a call for greater cultural solidarity and unity among Turkic states, underscoring that shared heritage remains the cornerstone of the Turkic world’s collective identity and future.

In a constructive step toward strengthening international dialogue, the leadership of the Azerbaijan National Anti-Doping Agency (AMADA), headed by Dr. Tahmina Taghi-zada, held fruitful discussions with Dr. Mondher Gabouj, Director General of the Tunisia National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD), Azernews reports.

The discussions focused on possible avenues of collaboration, with education and science identified as potential priority areas.

Among the ideas raised were training and capacity-building programs for athletes and athlete support personnel (ASP), as well as co-hosted educational workshops and seminars.

Both sides noted that further consultations will be needed to develop these ideas into concrete initiatives.

The meeting reflected a shared interest in exploring cooperation that could support clean sport, mutual learning, and scientific development in the years ahead.

The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) convened in Gabala on October 7, ahead of the 12th Summit of the OTS Council of Heads of State, Azernews reports.

The meeting focused on strengthening unity, enhancing cooperation, and addressing regional and global challenges through closer coordination among the member states.

In his opening remarks, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that the dynamic relations based on brotherhood and mutual trust among the Turkic states stand out at a time when global confidence in international organizations is declining.

‘The dynamics of cooperative relations established on the basis of brotherhood and mutual trust between OTS member states at a time when trust in international organizations is shaken is not only a source of pride for all of us, but also a solid basis for us to look to the future with hope,’ Bayramov said.

He added that the decision, initiated by President Ilham Aliyev, to hold two OTS Summits annually has created greater flexibility for in-depth discussions and more effective coordination among member countries.

Highlighting the importance of solidarity and political alignment in addressing current global and regional security challenges, the minister underlined that the Turkic world has the potential to play a stronger role in shaping the evolving international security architecture.

Bayramov also reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to lasting peace in the region, noting that Baku’s efforts toward normalization with Armenia aim to ensure sustainable stability and cooperation.

Touching upon the organization’s strategic role as a bridge between Europe and Asia, the minister stressed that the OTS continues to develop its potential in transport, logistics, and transit connectivity.

‘The organization has enormous potential in this direction. This line is also an integral part of the Middle Corridor. The declaration of the TRIPP route within the framework of the Washington Summit, which will provide unhindered movement between the western regions of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan through the Zangezur corridor, is an important step in terms of diversifying connections in our region,’ Bayramov said.

The meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers continued with discussions on ways to further enhance cooperation within the Turkic world and strengthen the organization’s institutional capacity.

Gabala is hosting a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Azernews reports.

The session is taking place within the framework of the 12th Summit of the Heads of State of the OTS, which will also be held in Gabala.

The gathering brings together foreign ministers from member states to discuss regional cooperation, economic partnerships, and cultural ties, setting the stage for high-level discussions at the upcoming summit.

OpenAI has launched an exciting new integration that lets users connect external app controls directly within ChatGPT. This means you can now create a Spotify playlist or browse local real estate listings on Zillow – all without leaving the chatbot interface, Azernews reports.

This innovation is reminiscent of the ‘mini-apps’ seen on messaging platforms like Telegram and Discord, allowing users to interact with various services seamlessly. Thanks to this integration, you can continue chatting with ChatGPT while giving it instructions on how to operate connected apps.

Leading services such as Spotify, Canva, and Zillow have already begun piloting these built-in application interfaces within ChatGPT.

Looking ahead, OpenAI plans to open the door wider later this year, inviting a broader community of developers to submit their own applications. These will be showcased in a user-accessible app catalog. According to OpenAI’s app development guidelines, submitted apps should be ‘consistent, useful, and trustworthy,’ enhancing ChatGPT’s capabilities by offering genuine value to users. Examples include apps for booking trips, ordering food, checking availability, or tracking deliveries.

Importantly, the guidelines caution developers against using apps to generate lengthy content, build complex workflows, serve ads, or send irrelevant messages-ensuring the chatbot experience remains smooth and focused.

This integration marks a significant step forward in making ChatGPT a versatile hub for managing everyday digital tasks, potentially transforming how we interact with apps through conversational AI.

Azerbaijan is demonstrating significant progress on both economic and geopolitical fronts. This advancement has attracted the attention of major global financial institutions. Among them, the Dutch financial giant ING Group has recently published a detailed report outlining Azerbaijan’s economic outlook, offering valuable insights into the country’s growth prospects and challenges ahead.

The Dutch financial institution ING Group projects a moderate but stable growth trajectory for Azerbaijan over the next two years. While the forecasts point to a slight deceleration in economic momentum compared to 2024, the overall outlook underscores macroeconomic resilience, fiscal discipline, and positive structural trends in key non-oil sectors.

According to ING’s projections, real GDP growth in Azerbaijan is expected to reach 1.5% in 2025, recovering to 2.8% in 2026, following a robust 4.1% expansion in 2024. While the slowdown may appear pronounced at first glance, ING analysts stress that such a trend was anticipated as a natural correction after a strong rebound year.

‘After 4.1 percent GDP growth in 2024, the slowdown this year was not unexpected,’ the ING report notes, ‘but the magnitude of the slowdown exceeded previous forecasts, with pressures observed in both the oil and non-oil sectors, including transport and construction.’

Despite this temporary cooling, Azerbaijan’s nominal GDP is projected to continue its upward trajectory, increasing from $74.3 billion in 2024 to $79.6 billion in 2025, and further to $81.3 billion in 2026. This reflects sustained economic expansion, especially in a challenging global environment marked by oil price volatility and weakening external demand.

In per capita terms, GDP is expected to rise from $7,284 in 2024 to $7,631 in 2025, and $7,720 in 2026-a positive indicator of improving living standards and economic productivity.

ING’s forecast also emphasizes Azerbaijan’s relatively stable external position, even as global commodity markets remain uncertain. The country’s current account surplus is expected to moderate-from 6.3% of GDP in 2024 to 2% in 2025, eventually shifting to a 3.3% deficit by 2026. This adjustment reflects lower oil export revenues and rising import demand, particularly in the wake of large-scale infrastructure development and consumer spending growth.

A similar trend is forecasted in the trade balance, which is projected to shrink from 11.9% of GDP in 2024 to 6.3% in 2025, and down to 1.2% in 2026. However, the gradual nature of this decline highlights Azerbaijan’s ability to manage external vulnerabilities, especially as it continues to diversify away from oil and gas dependence.

Importantly, external debt levels remain low and stable, forecasted at 19.5% of GDP in 2025 and 19.7% in 2026, down slightly from 20.2% in 2024. This reflects strong debt management policies and enhances Azerbaijan’s creditworthiness on international markets.

Inflation remains within manageable bounds, even as ING predicts a modest increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the forecast horizon. CPI is expected to reach 5.1% by the end of 2025, up slightly from 4.9% in 2024, and rise to 5.8% in 2026. ING attributes this to persisting pressure in food prices, despite a slowdown in broader demand-side inflationary factors.

‘The decline in mainly demand-side inflation factors allowed CPI to slow to 4.9% in August, despite food price pressures continuing after the April-May peak of 6.3%,’ the report explains.

Encouragingly, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) remains committed to price stability. The CBA expects inflation to remain below 5% in the medium term, in line with its target range of 4±2%. Its decision to cut the key policy rate by 25 basis points to 7% in July 2025 signals confidence in easing inflationary dynamics and a more stable external environment.

Outlook: Stability, diversification, and policy resilience

While external factors such as oil prices and global trade conditions continue to influence Azerbaijan’s economic indicators, ING’s report paints a picture of a resilient, strategically navigating economy.

The non-oil sectors -especially construction, transport, and services-are showing increased adaptability, despite some pressure. These sectors are expected to play a more prominent role in future growth, supported by ongoing public investment, digitalization, and regional connectivity projects like the Middle Corridor initiative.

In summary, Azerbaijan’s economic outlook remains fundamentally positive, with stable macroeconomic indicators, prudent monetary policy, and growing momentum in non-oil industries positioning the country for sustainable growth in the medium to long term.

The 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) got underway in Gabala, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev delivered a speech at the event.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

Distinguished heads of state and government,

Dear friends,

Welcome to Gabala, the ancient city of Azerbaijan. Gabala served as the capital of Caucasian Albania, spanning a vast geographical area, which was established in the 4th century BC and thrived until the 8th century AD.

At the outset, I extend my gratitude to the Kyrgyz Republic for its successful leadership in presiding over the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Today, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has evolved from merely a platform for cooperation into one of the significant geopolitical centers. It is gratifying to see our Organization’s prestige grow on the international stage. Our shared historical and ethnic roots, along with common national and spiritual values, bring us together as a family.

To support the work of the Organization, our country has contributed 2 million U.S. dollars to the account of the OTS Secretariat.

Internal political and economic stability, a strategic geographical location, positive demographics with a young population, vast potential in transport and logistics, rich natural resources, and growing capabilities in the military and defense technology sectors position the OTS as a significant actor on the global stage.

It is gratifying that the Organization of Turkic States has established the practice of holding informal summits alongside official ones. Last year’s inaugural informal summit in Shusha, as well as our meeting in Budapest this year, are both remembered for the significant decisions.

Dear colleagues,

Today, peace and security are essential foundations for the development of any country.

The Nakhchivan Agreement, the founding document of our Organization, highlights the safeguarding of peace and security as primary goals. Given the current geopolitical and security challenges worldwide, it is crucial that the Turkic states unite as a single center of power, in line with the Garabagh Declaration adopted at last year’s informal summit in Shusha and following the ‘Regional peace and security’ theme of today’s summit.

It is well understood that development cannot be achieved without ensuring security. In a time when the norms and principles of international law are being gravely violated, cooperation among our countries in military and defense-technical fields becomes one of the crucial factors. In this regard, we maintain strong cooperation with our ally, Trkiye. Just in the past year, over 25 bilateral and multinational military exercises have been carried out jointly with Trkiye.

Considering the extensive cooperation between our countries in military, defense, and security areas, we propose holding joint military exercises for the member states of the Organization of Turkic States in Azerbaijan in 2026.

In today’s world, military strength is a crucial element in safeguarding the independence and territorial integrity of any country.

Our historic victory in the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020, along with resolute counter-terrorism measures in 2023, ended the 30-year occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories. This restored our country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over our ancient lands. This historical achievement represents not only the triumph of Azerbaijan’s national will and determined struggle but also a vital contribution to the establishment of justice, peace, and stability in the region.

The initialing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia two months ago at the White House in Washington is set to transform the South Caucasus into a region of peace. Following the joint call to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group and related structures during the Washington summit, the decision made by the OSCE on 1 September also ended these remnants of the former conflict.

Accordingly, these steps have reconfirmed the peace agenda championed by Azerbaijan.

We will never forget the occupation by Armenia. We will forever hold the memory of our Martyrs close to our hearts. We avenged their blood on the battlefield. We expelled the occupiers from our ancestral lands, achieved a brilliant victory, and secured a just peace.

Dear friends!

Transport and communication links hold strategic significance within the Organization of Turkic States. Efforts to harness the potential of the Turkic world in transport, communication, transit, and related fields have resulted in the realization of projects with global impact.

Azerbaijan is an active player in the East-West and North-South transport corridors, serving as a vital bridge between Trkiye and Central Asia across geographic, economic, transport, and other domains.

Since 2022, cargo traffic through the Middle Corridor has increased by approximately 90%. Transit time along the route has significantly decreased. Assets such as the Caspian Sea’s largest trade fleet, the International Trade Port of Alat, which is expected to reach a capacity of 25 million tons per year in the coming years, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, 9 international airports, the region’s largest cargo airline, and other factors have contributed to establishing Azerbaijan as a major international transport hub.

In this context, one of the key outcomes of the Washington summit was the opening of the Zangazur Corridor. This corridor is significant as a new transport artery and serves as a second route within both the Middle Corridor and the North-South Corridor.

Another key area closely tied to peace, regional connectivity, and economic development is energy security. Our country plays an active and strategic role in advancing these objectives on a global scale. Azerbaijan has proven itself as a reliable and indispensable partner in ensuring the energy security of many countries.

We serve as a strategic link between the Caspian region and international markets through a network of diversified oil and gas pipelines. At present, Azerbaijan exports natural gas to 14 countries. In terms of geographic coverage, Azerbaijan ranks first among nations exporting natural gas via pipeline.

Azerbaijan is also attracting significant investments in renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and hydropower. By 2030, approximately 40% of our energy production is expected to come from renewables.

Currently, we are developing a green energy corridor connecting Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Trkiye, and Europe.

Azerbaijan and the member states of the OTS have carried out numerous significant investment projects. To date, over 20 billion U.S. dollars have been invested in the economies of our fraternal countries. The majority of these investments have been made in the Turkish economy. Additionally, Azerbaijan has established joint investment funds with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Through these funds, many future projects will be realized.

Overall, these initiatives serve to deepen economic integration within the Turkic world, strengthening cooperation among our friendly and brotherly nations in energy and transport, and sustainable development of our region.

As I mentioned, our common history and ethnic roots, our languages unite us like one family. Hereby, I would like to emphasize the historic significance of the First Turkological Congress organized in Baku in 1926.

I propose that the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress next year be solemnly organized within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States.

I am confident that our Summit will further strengthen the position of the Organization of Turkic States through the decisions we make, contributing even more to the well-being and security of our peoples.

At the end of my speech, I would like to once again express my gratitude to our fraternal countries for their support in the restoration of Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur. School named after Mirzo Ulugbek, the Kurmangazy Children’s Creativity Center in Fuzuli, and the school named after Manas in Aghdam are already operational. These are gifts from our Uzbek, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz brothers. A school built in Jabrayil is a gift of our Hungarian brothers. Fuzuli Mosque, the foundation of which is laid today, is a gift from our Turkmen brothers. Brotherly Turkish companies are constructing numerous tunnels, bridges, and roads. Azerbaijanis will never forget this brotherly support.

By the end of 2024, Malta, Taiwan, South Korea, and Spain have emerged as the countries with the lowest fertility rates globally, Azernews reports.

Malta tops the list, with an average of just 1.06 children born per woman over her lifetime. Taiwan follows closely with 1.11, while South Korea and Spain share third place at 1.12 each. Singapore rounds out the top five, registering a fertility rate of 1.17.

Other countries in the bottom ten include Lithuania (1.18), Poland (1.20), Italy (1.21), Ukraine (1.22), and both Macau and Hong Kong at 1.24.

Russia finds itself within the top 30 of this ‘anti-ranking,’ with a fertility rate of 1.4, alongside nations like Japan, Cyprus, and Norway.

In stark contrast, the highest fertility rates continue to be recorded in African countries. Niger leads globally with an average of 6.64 children per woman. The rest of the top five includes Angola (5.7), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (5.49), Mali (5.35), and Benin (5.34).

Addressing concerns over declining birth rates, Russian State Duma deputy Tatyana Butskaya announced in May that from 2026, birth rate indicators will be incorporated into the key performance metrics (KPIs) for regional governors. She emphasized that every working day for governors will begin with a review of demographic data. Moreover, not only regional authorities but also educational institutions and employers will be involved in monitoring and addressing birth rate trends.

This move reflects growing recognition worldwide of the demographic challenges posed by declining fertility rates-issues that have profound implications for economic growth, social welfare, and long-term national development.

On October 7, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev called President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Azernews reports.

The 2nd Azerbaijan Halal Business (AZHAB) Forum has officially opened in Baku, bringing together government officials, international experts, academics, and business representatives from across the world under the theme ‘Halal industry as a source of sustainability in a rapidly changing world’, Azernews reports.

The two-day forum, organized by the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMEDA) with the support of the Ministry of Economy, aims to strengthen cooperation in investment and trade, foster knowledge exchange, and attract foreign investment to Azerbaijan and the wider region.

The opening ceremony features addresses by local and foreign officials, the signing of documents, panel discussions, and the launch of an exhibition. Over the course of the event, six panel sessions will be held focusing on themes such as Islamic finance, halal business management, and strengthening partnerships between institutions supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

This year’s forum is organized in partnership with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), SESRIC, SMIIC, the Islamic Chamber of Commerce Halal Services, and Caspian Event Organisers LLC, and is sponsored by ATENA LLC and Bilge Group.

An exhibition showcasing halal products and services also opened today as part of the ‘AZHAB Forum 2025.’

The inaugural AZHAB Forum was held in October 2024, attracting around 350 participants, including 100 international guests from regions such as Australia, America, Eurasia, and Africa. The event was supported by a resolution of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.