Category: Azer News

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev shared a post on his social media accounts on the 5th anniversary of Lachin’s liberation from occupation.

Azernews presents the post: “Our Victory History: 1 December, 2020, Lachin.”

The “Agreement on cooperation in the field of education between the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Education of Rwanda” has been approved, Azernews reports.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the said agreement, signed in Baku on September 20, 2025, was approved.

After the agreement enters into force, the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry must also notify the Government of Rwanda that the internal procedures necessary for the agreement to enter into force have been completed.

Although seat belt use has been strictly mandatory in most European countries since the 1990s, there is one state that still does not enforce this rule, Azernews reports.

When seat belts were first introduced, the measure faced significant distrust from drivers and was even described as ‘repressive.’ However, studies and expert analyses quickly demonstrated their effectiveness in preventing injuries in dangerous road situations, making seat belts one of the most important passive safety mechanisms.

Yet, in the heart of Central Europe, one country still takes a different approach: the Principality of Monaco. Widely known for its luxury lifestyle, wealthy residents, and a fleet of supercars that fill its streets, Monaco remains the only European country where seat belt use is not legally mandatory.

This exemption is largely due to the principality’s low urban speed limit of 50 km/h. Monegasque authorities have argued that at such speeds, seat belts are less necessary because the risk of severe accidents is minimal.

However, road safety experts are increasingly challenging this approach. They point out that even at speeds below 50 km/h, collisions can result in serious injuries. Critics argue that Monaco’s current legislation is outdated and does not meet modern safety standards.

Monaco boasts one of the most advanced road networks in the world, which could safely support higher speed limits. If that were to happen, mandatory seat belt laws would likely need to be implemented, potentially bringing this glamorous microstate in line with the rest of Europe on traffic safety.

A delegation from the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), headed by Chairman Taleh Kazimov, met with Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, during an official visit to Beijing.

Azernews reports, the discussions covered key topics including monetary policy and financial stability, payment systems, QR and mobile payment solutions, and the regulation of payment service providers. Officials also exchanged experiences on regulatory practices in the digital currency sector.

The meeting highlighted opportunities to deepen collaboration between the central banks of Azerbaijan and China, as well as explore other areas of mutual interest.

Azerbaijan and China are entering a phase where financial cooperation, particularly in the banking sector, can become a core pillar of their economic relationship. Several structural trends, shared strategic goals, and emerging regional projects create strong potential for deeper banking integration. Chinese credit lines represent another avenue that is likely to expand. Policy banks such as China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China can channel financing into key Azerbaijani sectors, ranging from logistics hubs and industrial zones to green energy and digital infrastructure.

Digital finance is poised to become a major pillar of cooperation. China is actively piloting the digital yuan in cross-border logistics and trade settlements, and Azerbaijan’s highly digitalised public services create an attractive environment for experimentation. The Middle Corridor could become a testing ground for digital customs payments, blockchain-based cargo financing, and integrated fintech platforms. At the commercial level, Chinese fintech companies such as WeChat Pay and Alipay may pursue partnerships with Azerbaijani payment systems, facilitating seamless digital transactions for tourism, e-commerce, and business services.

Multilateral structures will reinforce this bilateral cooperation. Azerbaijan’s membership in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank provides a neutral platform for securing low-interest infrastructure financing, which often aligns with Chinese banking participation. This trilateral dynamic, including AIIB, Chinese banks, and Azerbaijani institutions, can help de-risk major projects and accelerate development of the Middle Corridor.

A total of 600,000 students across Azerbaijan are now receiving digital skills lessons in addition to standard informatics classes, Azernews reports.

Deputy Minister of Science and Education Hasan Hasanli made the announcement during the award ceremony for the winners of the Inter-School National Hackathon – 2025, held with support from the Ministry of Science and Education.

According to him, determination, a strong national vision, and perseverance make it possible to overcome any challenge:

“When this strategy was approved in 2022, internet access and computer availability in schools were not at the level we wanted. Today, these issues have largely been resolved, and students now have broad access to computers and the internet. Across the country, 175 centers provide access to the Hackathon. In its fifth year, the Hackathon has already engaged 350,000 students. Meanwhile, 600,000 schoolchildren are studying digital skills beyond informatics, and more than 300,000 students have been involved in STEAM programs.”

A conference dedicated to World AIDS Day, marked on December 1, is being held in Baku, Azernews reports.

The event brings together officials from the Ministry of Health, the AIDS Control Center, the Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB), as well as members of parliament.

Speakers scheduled to address the conference include Deputy Minister of Health Nadir Zeynalov; Yagut Garayeva, Head of TABIB’s Department for Disease Prevention and Control; Famil Mammadov, Director of the Republican AIDS Control Center; Gunash Jafarova, Deputy Director of the center; and members of the Milli Majlis Health Committee.

The Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra has captivated the audience with a magnificent concert at the State Academic Philharmonic Hall, Azernews reports.

The concert was conducted by People’s Artist and conductor Ayyyub Guliyev. Alongside the orchestra, the gifted violinist Dilara Mehdiyeva-Kurtaran performed as a soloist, with her interpretation of the program’s pieces adding an emotional touch to the evening.

The concert’s program was diverse and rich in variety. The audience was treated to a unique performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s String Quartet in E minor, presented for the first time in Baku in a string orchestra arrangement.

The program continued with compositions by Azerbaijani composer Agshin Alizadeh, including the vibrant “Asiqsayagi” and the expressive “Pastoral,” which beautifully highlighted national melodies and the sophistication of the composer’s style.

A special mood was set by the Serenade from the “Music of the Night” cycle by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, performed with a deeply emotional and intimate quality, enveloping the audience in a meditative atmosphere.

The evening concluded with one of the world’s most beloved pieces, Astor Piazzolla’s “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,” filled with passionate tango rhythms and the dramatic flair characteristic of the Argentine composer.

The evening ended with enthusiastic applause, underscoring the continued appreciation of Baku’s audience for both global and Azerbaijani classical music.

The Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra was established in 1964 through the initiative of Azerbaijani classical music icons Gara Garayev and Fikrat Amirov.

The ensemble’s first chief conductor and artistic director was People’s Artist and state award laureate Nazim Rzayev.

Throughout its over fifty-year history, the orchestra has graced many prestigious venues across the globe, participated in renowned international festivals, and helped promote Azerbaijani musical heritage.

In recognition of its significant contribution to the global promotion of Azerbaijani classical music, the orchestra received the national Humay Prize in 2007.

Since 2018, the orchestra has been under the leadership of People’s Artist Fakhraddin Karimov, who serves as its artistic director and chief conductor.

A total of two million manat ($1.18 million) has been allocated to the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads for the major repair of the Zardab-Malikumudlu-Challi-Salahli-Huseynkhanli-Khanmammadli highway in the Zardab district, Azernews reports.

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

According to the decree, for major repair of the above highway, connecting five residential settlements with a total population of 8,000 people, an initial amount of 2 million manat ($1.18 million) has been allocated to the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads from the funds specified in Subparagraph 1.19.21 of the ‘Distribution of State Capital Investments (investment expenditures) provided for in the 2025 state budget,’ approved by Presidential Decree No. 445 dated January 10, 2025.

The Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan must ensure the financing in the amount specified in Part 1 of this decree.

The Ministry of Economy must include the necessary funds for continuing the major repair of this road in the distribution of state capital investment expenditures in the draft state budget for 2026.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan must resolve the issues arising from this decree.

The film industry has become a key platform for cultural exchange and creative collaboration among CIS countries.

Modern film production not only reflects the rich histories and identities of these nations but also boosts connections between filmmakers, audiences, and creative institutions across the region.

CIS countries are enhancing their cinematic networks while preserving a shared cultural heritage through the universal language of film.

A roundtable on “The Development of Modern Film Production in CIS Countries” brought together industry experts to discuss opportunities for collaboration and the advancement of cinema across the region.

Moderated by producer and actor Azer Aydemir, the event featured a speech by Masim Mammadov, the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Lachin. He spoke about the infrastructure projects being carried out in the region and noted that special attention is given to cultural development in Lachin. One of the first cultural institutions established in the city is the Hoçazfilm studio, and Lachin offers numerous interesting locations for film shooting.

Deputy Culture Minister Farid Jafarov emphasized that culture serves as a spiritual bridge connecting peoples, while cinema is one of the most powerful artistic tools for reflecting a nation’s history, cultural identity, and worldview.

He added that the Azerbaijani government has made the development of cinematography a strategic priority. In recent years, significant institutional steps have been taken, new financing mechanisms established, and the international integration of the creative environment strengthened.

Over the past three years, the Azerbaijan Film Agency (ARKA), operating under the Culture Ministry, has financially supported the production of more than 70 state-commissioned film projects, over 50 of which have already been presented to audiences.

It was also noted that Azerbaijan’s film production cost rebate mechanism has created favorable conditions for filming in the country, making Azerbaijan an attractive location for international producers.

The Azerbaijani side stressed the importance of further expanding collaboration in cinema among CIS countries. Initiatives are being proposed to support co-production projects, joint script laboratories, experience exchange among young filmmakers, and regional film forums. Within this framework, joint productions such as “Molla Nasreddin, My Friend in Difficult Days” help express the shared cultural heritage and spiritual closeness of peoples through the language of cinema.

Other speakers at the event included Tair Iksanov, Executive Director of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of CIS Countries; Rovshan Muradov, Member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan; Gurban Pirimov, ARKA Deputy Director General; Amil Mamibayli, Director of Hoçazfilm studio; Ali-Sattar Guliyev, Director of Nizami Cinema Center; Svetlana Semashko from Belarus; Rabiyya Mirlanova, Senior Specialist at Kyrgyzfilm studio; Yekaterina Svirina, Advisor to the CEO of Roskino JSC; Akmal Abdullozoda from Tajikfilm; Mannob Kuchkarov from the Uzbekistan Cinematography Agency; and many others.

The discussion focused on the prospects for collaboration in cinema among CIS countries and highlighted the significance of joint projects.

In his address to participants, President Ilham Aliyev underscored that Azerbaijan has increasingly become a venue for global dialogue on digital transformation – a direction aligned with the country’s broader ambitions to strengthen its position in the global ICT landscape.

Today, the accelerating rise of the digital economy reflects big structural changes in global development. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have evolved from supportive tools into foundational drivers of innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability. Governments and enterprises now rely on digitalization as a strategic instrument – enabling streamlined operations, advanced analytics, predictive decision-making, and optimized resource management. These capabilities have become essential for building modern governance systems, ensuring economic resilience, and improving public services.

Azerbaijan hosts WTDC for the first time in the CIS region – WTDC-25, organized in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), was held in Baku from November 17 to 28 – marking the first time the conference has been hosted in the CIS region. The event brought together 2,500 participants from more than 160 countries, including ministerial-level representatives from about 60 nations.

The conference plays a strategic role in shaping global ICT policy. Its core mission is to bridge the digital divide, accelerate digital transformation, and support developing countries in adopting effective and inclusive technological solutions. By hosting WTDC-25, Azerbaijan further strengthened its reputation as a regional leader in technological policy and innovation, while positioning Baku as a neutral platform for international digital cooperation.

A major outcome of WTDC-25 was the adoption of the Baku Action Plan – the primary guidance document for global digital development for the period 2026-2029. The plan outlines the strategic direction for human-centric and inclusive digital growth, emphasising the needs of developing nations, underserved communities, and vulnerable groups.

The relevance of this commitment is underscored by a pressing global challenge: more than two billion people worldwide still lack internet access. The Baku Action Plan aims to address this disparity by advancing universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity, essential for ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy are shared across all societies.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted the importance of this milestone, stating: ‘WTDC-25 has brought us closer to our goal of ensuring universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity for everyone, everywhere, in this decade. The Baku Declaration and Action Plan serve as our human-centric digital development roadmap that leaves no one behind.’

The Action Plan includes new and updated resolutions that will guide the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D), setting clear technical priorities for expert groups working on issues such as cybersecurity, ICT regulation, digital inclusion, and next-generation network development.

Crucially, the plan also incorporates regional initiatives tailored to the digital needs of the ITU’s six global regions. These initiatives outline priorities ranging from infrastructure deployment and enhancement of digital skills to the development of inclusive digital public services. To implement these ambitions, the ITU will work to build partnerships and mobilise financial and technical resources, ensuring that commitments translate into practical results.

Azerbaijan’s own progress illustrates how digitalisation drives development across multiple sectors. Public service innovation remains one of the country’s most visible achievements. Platforms like SIMA Imza, developed by ‘AzInTelecom’ LLC under AZCON Holding, are redefining how citizens interact with government. Through SIMA, users can access more than 100 electronic services, authenticate their identity via facial recognition, and sign official documents remotely. Such systems demonstrate how cloud-based digital solutions can expand access, increase efficiency, and improve user experience.

Institutions such as ASAN Service and DOST Agency have been widely recognised for modernising public services through transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric design. Their success has attracted international attention: 25 countries are currently studying or implementing the ASAN model, positioning it as a globally relevant governance innovation. These platforms do more than simplify bureaucracy – they strengthen public trust, reinforce state-citizen interaction, and promote a more transparent public administration ecosystem.

Azerbaijan’s digital strategy demonstrates that digitalisation is not merely an upgrade to existing systems but a comprehensive engine of economic diversification and social development. From energy and transportation to finance and public administration, digital tools and artificial intelligence are improving efficiency, expanding service access, and increasing transparency.

Hosting WTDC-25 serves both as recognition of Azerbaijan’s achievements and as a catalyst for future progress. The conference has reinforced the country’s role in global digital policy-making and deepened its integration into international ICT cooperation networks.

With continued investment in infrastructure, cyber resilience, cloud technologies, and digital skills, Azerbaijan is well-positioned to transition from being a regional ICT adopter to becoming a regional digital leader, helping shape the global digital agenda.