Category: Azer News

The Nakhchivan State Children’s Philharmonic has visited the Azerbaijan State Children’s Philharmonic Hall, Azernews reports.

A friendship concert was organized with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the Culture Ministry of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and the Azerbaijan State Children’s Philharmonic.

In her opening remarks, pianist and director of the Azerbaijan State Children’s Philharmonic, Saida Taghi-zade spoke about the significance of the event and highlighted the importance of creative cooperation between the two institutions.

Yagut Guliyeva, director of the Nakhchivan State Children’s Philharmonic, emphasized the cultural and educational value of the event and expressed her gratitude to the organizers and hosts. She also spoke about the foundation, activities, and young performers of the philharmonic.

For the first time, the creative ensembles of both philharmonics performed a joint concert program.

The main aim of the concert was to establish mutual creative collaboration between the institutions, support the development of joint projects, and showcase the potential of young talents to a wider audience.

The program featured performances by the Azerbaijan State Children’s Philharmonic’s Children and Youth Dance Ensemble (artistic director: Mahammad Guliyev), the vocal class, soloist Leyla Alizade (teacher: Leyla Aslanova), as well as the Nakhchivan State Children’s Philharmonic’s dance group (choreographer: Nurdan Baghirova) and soloists Namiq Valiyev, Majid Huseynov, Elkhan Akbarov, Maryam Huseynquliyeva, Yusif Akbarov, Rabiyya Seyidova, Yagmur Orujova, and Bilal Qulusoy.

Later, guests including Maharram Latifov, head of a sector at the Culture Ministry of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Nuriyya Huseynova, and Sarkhan Bunyadzade were invited to the stage to share their thoughts.

The event concluded with the performance of the song “Long Live Azerbaijan.” This concert helped build a new bridge of creative cooperation between the two institutions and enriched the children’s stage experience and artistic opportunities.

The 9th International Banking Forum has opened in Baku, Azernews reports.

The event is being held under the motto ‘Reliable, Secure and Sustainable Banking.’

This year’s forum focuses on key trends shaping the financial sector, including the cashless economy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, open banking, capital markets, and emerging payment ecosystems.

Representatives from government institutions, banks and financial organizations, the fintech community, international bodies, and leading companies are taking part in the discussions.

At the WINS and GABA Women Leadership Event held in Baku, the Founder of Africa Azerbaijan Cooperation (AFAZ), Rena Gafarova, captured significant attention with her inspiring keynote speech, Azernews reports.

The event was initiated and organized by Nazrin Sadiqova, owner of Spectr Medical Group, Founder of GABA Business Club, and Founder of the SABAH Charity Foundation. The gathering brought together women leaders from various sectors with the goal of strengthening women’s entrepreneurship and leadership in Azerbaijan.

During her presentation, Rena Gafarova highlighted the life stories of Africa’s most courageous and transformative women leaders, showcasing their achievements as a powerful source of inspiration and motivation for Azerbaijani women.

She emphasized that the resilience of African women in the face of challenges, their perseverance in entrepreneurship, their unwavering commitment to community development, and their strong leadership spirit stand as a remarkable example for women everywhere-mirroring the character and determination of Azerbaijani women.

In her remarks, Rena Gafarova stated:

‘The life stories of African women carry tremendous strength, resilience, and a spirit of change. This energy is very close to the heart of Azerbaijani women as well. Women are the strongest bridge connecting continents.’

Gafarova also underlined that one of the strategic priorities of Africa Azerbaijan Cooperation is to strengthen collaboration between African and Azerbaijani women in joint business, social, and development initiatives.

As part of this mission, the 2025 business trips to Ethiopia and Kenya will include:

dedicated meetings with women entrepreneurs,

discussions with leading women’s business associations,

and the signing of key Memorandums of Understanding between women’s entrepreneur unions of the participating countries.

Event organizer Nazrin Sadiqova highlighted the importance of uniting women both nationally and internationally, noting that such platforms create real opportunities for cooperation, growth, and leadership development.

Participants described Rena Gafarova’s presentation and the stories of African women leaders as highly inspirational, empowering, and opening new pathways for future joint projects.

A delegation led by Arif Agayev, Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY), took part in the 2nd China-Europe Express Railway Cooperation Forum, Azernews reports, citing ADY.

The forum serves as one of the key international platforms supporting the sustainable development of freight transportation along the China-Europe route, strengthening transport connectivity between Asia and Europe, and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative.

In his speech, Arif Agayev emphasized that Azerbaijan regards China not only as a strategic trade partner but also as a reliable ally in the field of transport and logistics. He noted that joint implementation of infrastructure and multimodal projects plays a crucial role in strengthening interregional connectivity, accelerating logistics processes, diversifying routes, and boosting the export-import potential of participating countries.

Alongside taking part in the forum, the ADY delegation held high-level meetings with representatives of China’s major companies, including Cosco, Huawei, and CCCC. Discussions focused on cooperation prospects, regional freight transportation, and potential joint steps in digitalization.

Forum discussions centered on enhancing the efficiency of the China-Europe Express corridor, increasing freight volumes, shaping a modern international logistics system, and improving land transport links between East and West. Participants emphasized that establishing safe, sustainable, and competitive multimodal transport routes is vital for the further development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

At the conclusion of the event, the parties signed a document titled ‘Joint Initiative for the High-Quality Development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.’

The agreement covers cooperation in digital data exchange, tariff policy improvements, increased infrastructure investments, and the adoption of green logistics practices.

In line with international trade regulations, the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AFSA) received a request from Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to verify the authenticity of phytosanitary certificates, Azernews reports. Upon examination, the certificates submitted were found to be falsified.

Investigations revealed that the QR codes on these fraudulent documents redirected users to domains created abroad, including e-afsa.com, storage2.me-qr.com, and cdn.qr-code-generator.com. These domains were confirmed to be fake and unrelated to the agency.

AFSA’s Information Technology and Innovative Solutions Department emphasized that the agency’s official domain is e-afsa.gov.az. Certificates issued by AFSA, when scanned via QR code, always redirect exclusively to this official domain.

The discrepancy has been reported to the relevant Israeli authorities, with additional documentation requested to continue the investigation. All materials related to the forgery have been submitted to law enforcement for legal assessment.

In its statement, AFSA declared that such unlawful acts are unacceptable and warned that those engaged in these activities will face the strictest measures under the law. The agency urged exporters, businesses, and farm owners to carefully check that QR codes on official certificates lead to the legitimate domain e-afsa.gov.az.

The strategic partnership between the Azerbaijani and Polish banking associations has been strengthened, Executive Vice President of the Polish Banking Association Wlodzimierz Kicinski said at the 9th International Banking Forum in Baku, Azernews reports.

Kicinski noted that work is actively underway to deepen long-term cooperation between the Azerbaijani Banking Association and its Polish counterpart. He stressed that the ‘existing friendly relations between the two countries, the history of successful economic cooperation and growing bilateral trade create favorable conditions for further strengthening of future cooperation.’

Speaking about Poland’s banking landscape, he stated: ‘The Polish Banking Association represents almost all banks operating in the country. Currently, there are 550 banks in Poland. These include 65 commercial banks and approximately 500 cooperative banks actively operating in agricultural regions. The main challenges of the banking sector are related to geopolitical processes, increasing investment volumes and meeting customer demands at a higher level.’

Kicinski also highlighted the role of innovation in Poland’s financial sector.

‘In Poland, there is effective cooperation between private and public banks. The activities of the Banking Technology Forum also play an important role in the implementation of innovative solutions in the sector,’ he said.

He added that more than 50 percent of Polish bank customers use only mobile banking, emphasizing the modern and highly capitalized nature of the country’s banking system:

‘This is also indicated by the fact that 4 Polish banks are among the 34 world’s digital banking leaders.’

The leaders of the Red Crescent Societies from Turkic States convened in Baku for a high-level meeting aimed at strengthening humanitarian cooperation and planning future initiatives.

Azernews reports that representatives from Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan-members of the Red Crescent Network-attended the event, along with observer representatives from Turkmenistan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The main agenda of the meeting included a comprehensive review of the Network’s activities in 2025, an evaluation of achievements in humanitarian collaboration among the member National Societies, and the development of the 2026 Action Plan.

The meeting is set to conclude with the signing of the Turkic Red Crescent Network Declaration, a document reaffirming mutual cooperation and solidarity among the member National Societies.

It is noteworthy that during last year’s meeting in Bishkek, the Red Crescent Societies of Turkic States established the ‘Red Network’ platform, with Kyrgyzstan assuming the chairmanship. At this year’s gathering, the chairmanship has been passed on to the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society.

The state budget for 2026 will allocate 2 billion manat to healthcare, marking an 11 percent increase compared with the 2024 performance indicator. Healthcare spending will account for 4.9 percent of total state budget expenditures.

Azernews reports that Finance Minister Sahil Babayev made this statement during today’s plenary session of the Milli Majlis (Parliament of Azerbaijan), held to discuss the draft law ‘On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026.

According to the minister, the consolidated budget will allocate 3.7 billion manat to healthcare next year – an increase of 227 million manat, or 6.4 percent, compared with 2025.

He also noted that 5.2 billion manat is planned for education and science – key national priorities under the 2030 agenda. This represents a rise of 658 million manat, or 14.3 percent, compared with 2024. By 2026, expenditures in this sector will have grown by 36 percent compared with the medium-term baseline year of 2022.

The 2026 state budget will also allocate 1.2 billion manat to agriculture and food security. Total allocations to agriculture will reach 15 percent of the projected agrarian GDP.

Of these agricultural funds:

42 percent (513 million manat) will support food security initiatives, including subsidies, agricultural machinery and equipment, and irrigation system discounts.

40 percent (490 million manat) will go toward improving land reclamation.

18 percent (219 million manat) will be directed to veterinary and other agricultural programs.

In 2026, 41 percent of state budget expenditures – or 17.1 billion manat – will be devoted to social spending. This accounts for 68 percent of current expenditures and reflects an increase of 2.5 billion manat, or 17 percent, compared with 2024. Social spending will therefore remain one of the country’s key priorities.

Compared with 2022, social expenditures in 2026 will be 5.6 billion manat, or 48 percent, higher.

Next year’s state budget earmarks 4.9 billion manat for strengthening social protection – 121 million manat more than in 2025 and 722 million manat more than in 2024. In the past four years, these expenditures have risen by 41 percent.

A total of 2.8 billion manat will be allocated to social benefits, pensions, and other social payments – an increase of 151 million manat compared with the current year.

Additionally, 285 million manat will be directed toward the social protection of former internally displaced persons, identified as another major policy priority.

On November 18, the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre hosted the premiere of the play “Gulchohra and Asgar”, staged based on the work of the same name by People’s Writer Kamal Abdulla, Azernews reports.

The performance was attended by the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva, as well as Arzu Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva.

The two-part musical drama “Gulchohra and Asgar” is a continuation of the great Uzeyir Hajibayli’s work “The Cloth Peddler”. The composer of the new stage production, Honored Art Worker Javanshir Guliyev, told journalists that the team approached the staging differently:

“Unlike The Cloth Peddler, this work does not end happily. The plot is unpredictable and constantly keeps the audience in suspense. Therefore, it was both an interesting and valuable experience,” the composer added.

Samedzade Hasiyev, laureate of the President’s Award and performer of the role of Asgar in both “The Cloth Peddler” and “Gulchohra and Asgar”, emphasized the distinct nature of the two roles. Noting that the creative team had worked on the production for a long time, he said:

“Asgar’s cheerful and romantic side in the musical comedy and his dramatic fate in the new work give me, as an actor, broad opportunities for expression. Working on this role is both responsible and creatively significant. Asgar and Gulchohra create the image of an entire era against the backdrop of the turmoil they experienced in the dark and harsh periods of history. Asgar’s years of suffering in Siberia and Gulchohra’s desperate wait for him are not only a story of tragic love but also an artistic chronicle that reflects the memory, fighting spirit, and steadfastness of the people.”

Elnara Nagdaliyeva, who played Telli in the two-part musical drama, noted that her character is a compassionate and cheerful woman:

“I tried to convey to the audience the inner strength and gentle nature of the heroine. Telli is distinguished by her loyalty to her master and mistress. Despite all tensions, dangers, and hardships, she does not leave them alone and sets out with them on a difficult journey that stretches to Iran, Istanbul, and then France,” the actress added.

Maryam Alizade, Honored Art Worker and an audience member at the production, shared her impressions:

“The play masterfully reflects the political and social events that took place during the period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, especially the bitter consequences of the material and moral blows inflicted on our country by the Bolsheviks. The difficult fate of Glchöhr? and Asker is presented with high artistic skill and makes a strong emotional impression on viewers.”

The director of the production is Asgar Asgarov, the conductor is Fakhraddin Atayev, the choreographer is Nigar Shakhmuradova, and the choir master is Vagif Mastanov.

The cast includes Honored Artists Azizaga Azizov and Ilgar Salamov; President’s Award laureates Samedzade Hasiyev, Mehriban Zaliyeva, and Atilla Mammadov; as well as actors Faig Mirzoyev, Gultaj Alili, Gulnara Abdullayeva, Elnara Nagdaliyeva, Ibrahim Alizade, Elchin Imanov, Elkhan Ismailov, Ali Karimov, Orkhan Huseynov, Kamil Jafarov, Nijat Habibov, and members of the choir and ballet company.

Azerbaijan’s public debt service expenditures for 2026 are projected at 2.5 billion manats. The proposed upper limit for domestic borrowing is 2 billion manats, for external borrowing 6 billion manats, and for state guarantees 3 billion manats.

As reported by Azernews, Finance Minister Sahil Babayev presented the figures during today’s plenary session of the Milli Majlis (Parliament of Azerbaijan) as part of discussions on the draft law ‘On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026.’

The minister noted that Azerbaijan remains among the countries with the lowest public debt-to-GDP ratios. He highlighted that external public debt accounts for 32.8% of the overall debt portfolio, reducing the country’s exposure to currency and international market risks.

Babayev also pointed to significant improvements in debt management:

‘Thanks to the measures implemented this year, the average maturity of government bonds has increased 2.4 times to 3.5 years, while the share of 7- and 10-year bonds in the portfolio has grown by 30 percentage points. This helps optimize refinancing needs and overall debt servicing obligations.’

The minister emphasized that these steps strengthen fiscal stability and improve the resilience of Azerbaijan’s debt portfolio.

The Minister also said that in 2026, 41 percent of state budget expenditures and 68 percent of current expenditures, or 17.1 billion manat, will be directed to social expenditures. This is 2.5 billion manat or 17 percent more than the performance indicator for 2024. Thus, social expenditures will also be among the main priorities in 2026.

Compared to the medium-term budget period, that is, 2022, social expenditures will be 5.6 billion manat or 48 percent more, he added.

Next year’s state budget includes 4.9 billion manat for expenditures serving to strengthen the social protection of the population. This is 121 million manat more than in 2025 and 722 million manat more than in 2024. Compared to the medium-term budget period, that is, in just 4 years, these expenditures have increased by 41 percent.

2.8 billion manat will be spent on social benefits, pensions and other social payments, which are projected to increase by 151 million manat compared to the current year.

As another important direction of social policy, expenses related to the social protection of former internally displaced persons are projected to be 285 million manat in the next year.