Category: Azer News

Azerbaijani boxer Taghi Nasibov has reached the semifinals of the European U23 Boxing Championships held in Budapest, Hungary, Azernews reports.

The national team member, competing in the 60 kg weight category, defeated Gavin Ryan from Ireland in the quarterfinals.

Nasibov won the match with a score of 3:2 (28:29, 27:30, 30:27, 30:27, 30:27). By advancing to the semifinals, N?sibov has secured at least a bronze medal.

Three more Azerbaijani boxers will compete in their quarterfinal matches on November 26.

On November 28, Taghi Nasibov will face Bulgarian Radoslav Rosenov in the semifinals.

Boxing is known as one of the oldest known sports in the history of humankind.

The earliest evidence of boxing dates back to Egypt around 3,000 BC.

This sport was introduced to the ancient Olympic Games by the Greeks in the late 7th century BC.

In 1924, the International Amateur Boxing Federation (FIBA) was established.

Since 1946, it has been referred to as the International Boxing Association (AIBA). Boxing made its Olympic debut at the 1904 Games in St. Louis.

In 1926, the boxing championship was held for the first time in Azerbaijan, where national boxers took first place.

Since 1992, the Azerbaijani Boxing Federation has become a full member of the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

Azerbaijani boxers have won many prestigious awards at many international championships.

Aghasi Mammadov has entered Azerbaijan’s history of boxing as the first national boxer, as a gold medallist at the world championship.

Another Azerbaijani boxer, Fuad Asadov, was among the medallists at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.

Many times, Azerbaijan has been chosen as the host country for major boxing championships.

The AIBA Youth World Championships were held in Baku in 2019. This world championship was the first licensed youth tournament to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Games held in Singapore.

The country also hosted the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships, which was the first major qualifying event for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) will implement a fully digital system to monitor waste across all its operations.

Azernews reports that this was announced by Samir Gurbanov, Head of SOCAR’s Department for Environmental Analytics, Energy Transition, Environment, and Decarbonization, at the SPE Caspian Technical Conference held in Baku.

Gurbanov noted that SOCAR is implementing a comprehensive set of measures to decarbonise and enhance environmental sustainability.

‘Key initiatives include the application of CO2 capture and utilisation facilities to convert carbon dioxide into industrial products, energy efficiency programs at processing facilities, transition to renewable energy sources to offset Scope 2 emissions, biogas production, and electrification of equipment,’ he said.

He emphasized that particular attention is being paid to the digitalisation of environmental monitoring.

‘SOCAR has already started cooperating with ENABLON and acquired a monitoring, reporting, and verification system designed for precise measurement and tracking of environmental indicators. From next year, this system will be implemented across all SOCAR operations, ensuring full digitalisation of the company’s environmental monitoring,’ Gurbanov explained.

In addition, SOCAR is carrying out advanced projects to detect leaks in its upstream assets, developing internal environmental management processes in collaboration with BCG, and improving practices for water resource and waste management, he added.

A student scientific seminar titled “Chinese Cinema: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” has taken place at the Confucius Institute of the Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL), Azernews reports.

The seminar was dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema.

During the seminar, the Director of the Confucius Institute, Rafiq Abbasov, spoke about the history of Chinese cinema and its “golden age.”

He underlined that, due to the development of technology, the expansion of cultural exchange, and the emergence of new platforms for film distribution, Chinese cinema has become a significant player in the global film market. It has earned prestigious awards at international film festivals and continues to increase its influence on global culture.

Abbasov also stressed Azerbaijan’s participation in international film festivals held in China, including the China International Film and Television Program Exhibition, the Shanghai International Film and Television Market, the Asia International Film Festival, and the Silk Road International Film Festival.

He mentioned that Azerbaijani films had won special awards at these events and discussed the screenings of Chinese films in Azerbaijan, as well as China’s participation in the Baku International Film Festival.

During the seminar, AUL’s Chinese studies students gave presentations on several topics, including the first Chinese film in the social drama genre, “New Women”, the first feature film, “Yan Ruishen”, and the oldest and most popular genre, martial arts cinema, which portrays the struggle of workers and peasants against oppressors, along with “red cinema.” They also discussed how the emergence of comedies, realistic love dramas, and epic stories in Chinese cinema is tied to the effort to create a distinct Chinese identity in cinema.

The students also talked about the development trends and future prospects of Chinese cinema, the rise of new genres such as action films, thrillers, historical and family dramas, as well as the adaptation of Chinese legends, and modern genres like musicals, arthouse, and auteur films.

The seminar concluded with a screening of “Curse of the Golden Flower”, the most expensive Chinese film in history, which is set during the final years of the Tang Dynasty.

On November 26, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Azernews reports, citing the Cabinet of Ministers.

The meeting highlighted that the October 9 summit in Dushanbe between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin provided a significant boost to relations between the two countries across all sectors.

Both sides noted the dynamic development of economic ties between Azerbaijan and Russia and emphasized the promising opportunities for further cooperation.

The discussions focused on the prospects for expanding bilateral collaboration in trade and economic relations, energy, and transport sectors.

Five years ago, on September 27, the 44-day Patriotic War began, a defining moment in Azerbaijan’s history, Azernews reports.

Under the leadership of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, territories that had been under occupation for nearly 30 years were liberated and returned to their rightful owner.

In recognition of this significant event, President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on July 31, 2023, which officially designated November 25 as Kalbajar City Day. This day is now a symbol of the liberation and revitalization of Kalbajar.

To mark Kalbajar City Day, a series of commemorative events were held in the city, co- organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Special Representative Office of the Azerbaijani President in Kalbajar district.

As part of the celebration, the team from the Ganja State National Drama Theater presented the play “Tig-tig Khanum” by Abdullah Shaiga to the young audience.

Directed by Shahmar Mammadov, with set designer Vahab Jafarov and musical designer Ziyad Abbasov, the team created a vibrant musical fairy tale on stage, where the educational ideas of the author were harmoniously combined with music and dance. The performance was warmly received and accompanied by loud applause.

The central square of Kalbajar was filled with thematic exhibitions. Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli, the Special Representative of the President Bashir Hajiyev, official representatives, and local residents toured the displays.

The photo exhibition “Kalbajar – Through the Lens of History”, organized by the Azerbaijan Photographers Union, showcased 44 works symbolizing the 44 days of the Patriotic War. The photographs captured Kalbajar before and after the occupation, its natural landscapes, historical monuments, and the processes of restoring the liberated territories. The exhibition created a visual bridge between the past, present, and future of the region.

The exhibition “Memory”, prepared by the National Carpet Museum, displayed rare examples of carpet weaving from Garabagh and Kalbajar. Special attention was drawn to the recreated alachigh, a traditional nomadic dwelling that reveals the ethnographic characteristics of the region.

“The Palette of Kalbajar – Wealth Reflected in Paintings” featured works by local artists created during their creative trips to the region. The paintings conveyed the unique nature, ancient history, and the spirit of Victory that accompanied the liberation of the city.

The exhibition also showcased examples of folk art: woodcarving, inlay, and felt-making crafts. Some artisans demonstrated the process of creating their works. Workshops were organized for children, where they painted landscapes of Kalbajar on canvases under the guidance of professional artists. Guests were treated to dishes from the national cuisine.

A spectacular concert was also organized in the city center of Kalbajar. The event began with the Azerbaijan National Anthem, followed by a moment of silence to honor the memory of the martyrs. A video dedicated to Kalbajar was then shown as part of the event.

Bashir Hajiyev, the Special Representative of the Azerbaijani President in Kalbajar district, congratulated all the participants:

“Today, the formal celebration of Kalbajar City Day for the first time is an important event and demonstrates that the district is entering a new phase. It is a proud sight for all of us to witness the revival of culture, tourism, education, and public life in Kalbajar.”

The Special Representative noted that, by the decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on July 31, 2023, titled “On the Establishment of City Days in the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Liberated Territories,” November 25 was declared Kalbajar City Day.

The establishment of Kalbajar City Day is a clear example of the President’s attention and care for the people of Kalbajar.

Bashir Hajiyev said that large-scale reconstruction and restoration work is underway in Kalbajar, as in other liberated territories. Since August 20 of this year, the return of displaced persons to Kalbajar city has begun. In a significant event of the Great Return process, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva met with the residents who moved back to Kalbajar and presented them with the keys to their new homes.

The President’s Special Representative emphasized that the large-scale construction work in the region indicates the bright future of the mountainous region and the successful prospects of the Great Return to the liberated territories.

Afterwards, a concert program was presented in honor of Kalbajar City Day. The gala concert featured performances by artists, with music pieces reflecting love for the homeland, the unique beauty of Kalbajar, and victorious, determined musical numbers.

There were also performances by dancers. A bonfire was also lit in the Kalbajar mountains, symbolizing our historical victory. The event concluded with a fireworks display in the city center.

Azerbaijan Railways is advancing its infrastructure development to enhance operational efficiency along the Middle Corridor, the company’s chairman, Rovshan Rustamov, announced at the 83rd meeting of the CIS Railway Transport Council in Baku, Azernews reports.

Rustamov emphasized that strategic projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the Middle Corridor or the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, and the North-South transport corridor have secured Azerbaijan’s leading position on the global transport map.

‘The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway now serves as a reliable bridge between Europe and Asia. Following its modernization, its capacity has increased from 1 million tons annually to 5 million tons,’ Rustamov said. ‘Overall, Azerbaijan Railways continues to develop infrastructure to improve efficiency along the Middle Corridor. This includes successful work on the alternating current transition along the main East-West railway line from Baku to Boyuk Kesik.’

He added that the Middle Corridor is increasingly significant as an alternative and secure transit route for countries located in the heart of Eurasia.

‘Over the first ten months of this year, Azerbaijan Railways has handled 317 block trains on the Middle Corridor, 119 of which were transit trains. This represents a 32% increase compared to the same period last year,’ Rustamov noted.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has called for urgent measures to tackle worsening air pollution expected to affect the capital, Hanoi, and neighboring northern provinces in late November and early December, Azernews reports, according to a report by the Vietnam News Agency.

Data from the national environmental quality monitoring system and meteorological forecasts indicate that PM2.5 levels-a key indicator of air pollution-are expected to rise over the next 10 days, as adverse weather conditions hinder the dispersion of pollutants.

The ministry warned that the Air Quality Index (AQI) could exceed 150, reaching an unhealthy level.

Local authorities have been urged to step up street cleaning efforts, including the use of specialized vehicles to spray water and wash roads on major traffic routes and at urban gateways, particularly during off-peak hours at night and early in the morning before 6 a.m. local time.

In addition, the ministry plans to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and satellite imagery to monitor and detect open-burning sites and major pollution sources. Any violations identified will be reported to local authorities for immediate action.

Interestingly, experts note that this period of poor air quality coincides with seasonal temperature inversions common in northern Vietnam, which trap pollutants close to the ground. This makes preventive measures and public awareness campaigns especially crucial in protecting residents’ health.

Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, met with the delegation led by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, during the latter’s visit to Pakistan, Azernews reports, citing the Economy Ministry.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized that the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Pakistan continues to grow dynamically across various fields, contributing significantly to economic cooperation.

They noted that high-level reciprocal visits, regular meetings, joint events, and signed agreements play an important role in strengthening mutually beneficial collaboration between the two countries.

The parties also highlighted substantial potential for joint investment activities and broader cooperation in other economic sectors. Discussions included priority areas of bilateral relations and opportunities to diversify business ties.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaklaudia Rossbax and Anar Guliyev, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture and National Coordinator for WUF13, briefed international media on preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place in Baku from May 17-22, 2026.

As reported by Azernews, the briefing was held in Nairobi, Kenya, and was moderated by Sultan Hajiyev, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Nairobi.

WUF13 will serve as a crucial global platform for assessing the mid-term implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

Rossbax highlighted the relevance of WUF13’s theme, ‘Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Communities,’ emphasizing that the Forum is more than just a conference. ‘Within the global context, WUF13 is an essential platform for evaluating progress on the New Urban Agenda and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal for sustainable cities and communities,’ she said. ‘It will allow member states and partners to assess commitments, identify gaps, and set priorities for the coming decade in addressing the global housing crisis, which is closely linked to the climate emergency.’

She also underscored the significance of 2026 as a pivotal year for the global urban agenda. Rossbax added that WUF13 will host a ministerial meeting on the New Urban Agenda, the outcomes of which will feed into the 2026 global evaluation processes. The Forum will also feature the presentation of the ‘2026 Global Report on Cities.’

Anar Guliyev, WUF13 National Coordinator, outlined Azerbaijan’s new initiatives as the host country and highlighted the inaugural Leaders’ Summit as a unique platform for high-level political dialogue on global urban priorities. He emphasized the role of cities and local governments in shaping discussions, while also noting the importance of private sector engagement in promoting innovation, climate-resilient construction, and modern housing technologies.

‘Preparations for WUF13 are proceeding at full speed. We are coordinating all organizational, logistical, and operational aspects to ensure that the Forum is held as a world-class event grounded in sustainability, inclusiveness, and safety,’ Guliyev said.

The media briefing in Nairobi was organized as part of the 3rd session of UN-Habitat’s Executive Board.

Azerbaijan, located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, has long been defined by its abundant natural resources and its pivotal role in shaping the global oil and gas industry. From hosting the world’s first industrial oil well to pioneering offshore engineering, the country’s history is marked by innovation and resilience. Yet today, as the world questions the sustainability of hydrocarbons and accelerates the shift toward cleaner energy, Azerbaijan and the broader Caspian region face a critical crossroads. For policymakers and industry leaders, the question is no longer whether the energy transition will occur, but how the region can navigate it while maintaining its strategic relevance and economic strength.

Against this backdrop, Baku hosted the 2025 Caspian Technical Conference (CTC), organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), which brings together 132,000 specialists from 146 countries. Supported by SOCAR and themed ‘Learning from the Past, Innovating Today, Inspiring the Future,’ the conference underscored how the region must use its historical experience to respond to modern challenges. Over two days, experts examined issues ranging from digitalization, AI-driven reservoir optimization and drilling efficiency to decarbonization, operational excellence and workforce transformation-all of which form the backbone of the Caspian’s evolving energy landscape. Alongside the sessions, a technology exhibition showcased tools and innovations that could redefine the next decades of extraction and infrastructure management.

The core message emerging from the discussions is that hydrocarbons remain indispensable, yet the methods of extracting them must change. Azerbaijan’s flagship Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field illustrates this challenge clearly: once capable of wells producing 20-30 thousand barrels a day, current wells yield only 2-3 thousand as geological conditions grow more complex. bp’s Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Trkiye, Giovanni Cristofoli, warned that leaving 60-80% of remaining resources underground is neither economically nor strategically tolerable, and emphasized that only advanced technology-horizontal drilling, robotics, digital twins, precision pressure management-can sustain production in such mature reservoirs. His remarks align with S and P Global Ratings’ recent findings that SOCAR’s hydrocarbon output is expected to gradually decline under its current operational model unless modernization accelerates.

At the same time, global investor behavior has shifted dramatically. As BCG Azerbaijan’s Managing Director Vladimir Rogov noted, major energy companies are prioritizing shareholder returns over reinvestment, raising hurdle rates and demanding quicker, higher-value outcomes. This places pressure on regional projects, especially as Caspian CAPEX has fallen by nearly 50% compared to the previous decade after large-scale projects in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan moved into production phases. Yet irony lies in the fact that the Caspian still holds immense potential: while the region accounts for only 2% of global oil reserves, it holds nearly 10% of global gas reserves and remains a critical bridge between Europe and Asia. Rogov stressed that the basin is still underexplored due to historically low geological spending, and that new surveys, MoUs and renewed exploration activity are beginning to reveal fresh prospects. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), widely used elsewhere, remains underutilized in the Caspian, representing one of the most immediate opportunities for boosting output from aging assets.

SOCAR Vice President Babek Huseynov echoed the sentiment that the region is undergoing a fundamental turning point. Reflecting on the Caspian’s long industrial legacy, he emphasized that many Azerbaijani fields have been producing for decades yet remain essential for energy security and regional stability. Maintaining their productivity now requires not only new technology but new ideas, skills and approaches. Huseynov highlighted SOCAR’s commitment to revitalizing mature fields-citing the ‘Bahar’ field as an example, once considered exhausted with a recovery rate below 10%, but now recognized to hold considerable untapped potential thanks to updated geological assessments. He stressed that digital tools, automation, artificial intelligence and advanced recovery techniques are increasingly central to SOCAR’s strategy, while investment in the next generation of engineers is becoming equally critical as earlier generations retire.

The energy transition is both inevitable and complex. bp’s Energy Outlook indicates that global energy demand in 2050 will be roughly 10% higher than today, and even under a scenario limiting global warming to below 2°C, oil and gas will still supply around one-third of global energy needs. This reality positions Azerbaijan not only as a region in transition but as a region that will remain vital to global energy security for decades. The Caspian’s challenge is therefore not about choosing between hydrocarbons and renewables, but about modernizing hydrocarbon production while gradually integrating low-carbon solutions, enabling the region to remain competitive in a world that demands cleaner, more efficient resources.

Ultimately, the future of Caspian energy will depend less on the volume of remaining resources and more on the region’s ability to adapt. Success will require innovation-driven extraction, increased investor confidence, revitalization of mature fields, strategic workforce development and a willingness to blend historical experience with modern technology. Azerbaijan’s past has secured its place on the world energy map; its future will depend on how boldly it reinvents itself for a new energy era.