Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan’s latest discussions with China’s Xinjiang Joinworld Co., Ltd. should be viewed as more than an effort to expand aluminum production. The country already has an established aluminum industry and, through Azeraluminium, remains the South Caucasus’ only producer of primary aluminum. The real opportunity lies beyond simply producing more metal. It is about using foreign technology, investment and expertise to take Azerbaijan’s aluminum industry to the next level, transforming existing industrial capacity into higher-value production and positioning the country further up the global industrial value chain.

This is what makes the recent Azerbaijan-China talks particularly interesting. Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said discussions with Xinjiang Joinworld focused on joint projects, modern technologies, innovative solutions, know-how and the transfer of expertise. The company specializes in aluminum and metallurgical technologies. The discussions therefore appear to be about expanding industrial capabilities rather than simply creating another source of basic aluminum production.

That distinction matters for Azerbaijan’s economic strategy. Producing primary aluminum is valuable, but the greatest economic opportunity comes when raw or semi-processed materials are transformed into products with substantially higher added value. Aluminum sheets, rolled products, profiles, components and specialized alloys can generate considerably more industrial value than exporting basic metal alone.

Azerbaijan already has a foundation on which such an expansion can be built. Azeraluminium is the country’s primary aluminum producer, while previous modernization plans have targeted increased production capacity and the development of rolled aluminum products. Earlier cooperation with German technology partners also envisaged major investments in expanding aluminum production and processing capacity.

The emerging cooperation with Chinese companies should therefore be viewed as part of a broader industrial transformation. In January, Azerbaijan also held discussions with Chinese companies Wanji and Sunstone about potential joint projects in aluminum production. Sunstone, for example, specializes in carbon materials used in the aluminum industry. This indicates that Azerbaijan is exploring cooperation with different parts of the Chinese industrial ecosystem rather than focusing on a single investment project.

For Azerbaijan, the potential benefit is not limited to foreign capital. Technology may be even more important. Modern metallurgical production requires sophisticated equipment, process management, energy efficiency, automation and continuous technological upgrading. Partnerships with experienced international companies can shorten the time required to develop these capabilities domestically.

There is also an important export dimension. Azerbaijan has already demonstrated that aluminum can be a significant non-oil export product. In January-November 2022, the country exported more than 40,500 tons of aluminum worth $114 million. More recently, Azerbaijan has been seeking to increase production and shift toward higher-value processed products.

This strategy fits Azerbaijan’s broader effort to diversify its economy. The objective is not necessarily to replace the country’s energy sector, but to use existing advantages in energy, infrastructure, logistics and industrial policy to create new sources of export revenue.

Energy is particularly relevant. Aluminum production is energy-intensive, and Azerbaijan’s energy resources and infrastructure can provide an important competitive advantage. If energy can be converted into industrial products rather than being exported only in raw or primary forms, the country can capture a greater share of the value created along the production chain.

Location adds another advantage. Azerbaijan sits along the Middle Corridor linking China with Europe. A competitive aluminum-processing industry could therefore serve not only the domestic market but also regional markets in Trkiye, Central Asia and Europe. The combination of industrial production and logistics connectivity could make Azerbaijan more attractive as a regional manufacturing platform.

The development of the Western Industrial Park also points in this direction. Azerbaijan has increasingly emphasized deeper processing, stronger links between raw-material extraction and manufacturing, and the development of high-value-added metal products. These priorities suggest that metallurgy is being considered as a broader industrial ecosystem rather than a collection of individual factories.

There is, however, an important difference between discussing cooperation and delivering a project. The latest talks with Xinjiang Joinworld do not yet provide details on investment size, production capacity, ownership structure or construction timelines. The real economic significance will become clearer only if the discussions lead to a concrete joint venture, financing agreement and defined production plan.

If that happens, the strategic value could be substantial. Azerbaijan would not simply be producing more aluminum; it could be developing a deeper industrial chain around aluminum and metallurgy, attracting technology, creating skilled employment, expanding non-oil exports and strengthening its position as a manufacturing and logistics hub between Asia and Europe.

The real opportunity, therefore, is not to ask why Azerbaijan needs China if Azerbaijan already produces aluminum. The better question is how Azerbaijan can combine its existing industrial base with international technology and investment to produce better, more sophisticated and more valuable products. That is where the next stage of the country’s aluminum story may lie.

Pakistan’s Independence Day was marked in Baku with a ceremony at the Baku office of the Embassy of Pakistan, bringing together officials, diplomats and members of the Pakistani and Azerbaijani communities to commemorate the country’s 79 years of independence. Opening the ceremony, Ambassador of Pakistan to Azerbaijan Qasim Mohiuddin reflected on the country’s long struggle for independence, the sacrifices of its forefathers and the achievements Pakistan has made since 14 August 1947.

Pakistan’s independence was not granted easily. It was achieved through a determined political struggle and immense sacrifices by those who envisioned a sovereign homeland. Seventy-nine years later, Independence Day offers an opportunity not only to remember that struggle, but also to consider how Pakistan has sought to translate independence into economic resilience, national security and a greater role in international affairs.

One of the most important developments in recent years has been the government’s efforts to achieve economic stability and move Pakistan towards a more developed economy. The journey remains demanding, but economic stabilisation provides an essential foundation for sustainable growth, investment and improved living standards.

National security remains equally central to Pakistan’s experience. The country’s Armed Forces have demonstrated unwavering resolve in defending Pakistan against external threats. For a state located in one of the world’s most complex geopolitical environments, maintaining security is closely linked to preserving the conditions necessary for economic development and national progress.

Yet Pakistan’s strategic role extends beyond security. Today, Islamabad presents itself as a strong advocate of peace and continues to seek a constructive role amid an increasingly complicated regional environment. Its ambition is to act as a responsible nation and a stabilising force, contributing to global peace, regional cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Trkiye is an important expression of this evolving strategic role. Beyond its security dimension, the agreement reflects Pakistan’s growing engagement with key regional partners and its emerging strategic weight in a changing geopolitical landscape.

Pakistan’s foreign policy, however, also remains shaped by longstanding questions of justice and self-determination. Islamabad continues to express unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating its principled support for their rights.

For Pakistan, lasting peace in South Asia remains inseparable from a diplomatic resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Whatever the broader geopolitical shifts, Islamabad continues to regard diplomacy and international law as essential to resolving the dispute.

This is also where Pakistan’s relationship with Azerbaijan carries particular significance. Baku has consistently demonstrated strong solidarity with Pakistan on issues of concern, including Jammu and Kashmir. The depth of this relationship goes beyond conventional diplomatic ties, reflecting a broader sense of political trust and mutual support between two brotherly countries.

Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day therefore carries a meaning that extends beyond commemoration. It is a reflection on a country that emerged from a historic struggle, has faced repeated economic and security challenges, and continues to seek a stronger role in regional and global affairs.

For Pakistan and Azerbaijan alike, the years ahead offer an opportunity to build on that friendship through closer political coordination, stronger economic ties and continued support for peace and regional cooperation. The enduring message of Pakistan’s Independence Day is ultimately not only about the past, but about the country’s continuing effort to shape its future.

The 2026/27 Azerbaijan Premier League season kicks off on August 14, AzerNEWS reports.

Turan Tovuz will face Gabala in the opening match of the season. The game will kick off at 19:30.

The other matches of the opening round will be played over the following days.

On August 15, Araz-Nakhchivan will face Imishli, while Sabah will take on Kapaz. On August 16, Sumgayit will play Neftchi, and Zira will face Safa.

The final match of the opening round will take place on August 17, with Qarabag hosting Shamakhi at the Tofig Bahramov Republican Stadium.

The 2026/27 Azerbaijan Premier League season will kick off on August 14, with 12 teams set to compete for the country’s top-flight football title.

The championship, officially known as the Misli Premier League for sponsorship purposes, will be played over three rounds. Each team will play 33 matches during the season. According to the regulations of the Professional Football League (PFL), three points are awarded for a win and one point for a draw.

The opening round will take place from August 14 to 17. The first match of the new season will see Turan Tovuz host Gabala on August 14.

The remaining opening-round fixtures are scheduled as follows: Araz-Nakhchivan vs Imishli and Sabah vs Kapaz on August 15; Sumgayit vs Neftchi and Zira vs Shafa on August 16; and Qarabag vs Shamakhi on August 17. The official AFFA calendar confirms the fixture dates for the 2026/27 season.

The 2026/27 campaign features 12 clubs. At the end of the season, the team finishing first will qualify for the UEFA Champions League qualifying stage, while the second- and third-placed teams will earn places in the UEFA Conference League qualifying stage. The winner of the Azerbaijan Cup will qualify for the UEFA Europa League qualifying stage, subject to the competition’s qualification rules.

The team finishing last in the league will be relegated, while the 11th-placed side will play a relegation play-off against the second-placed team from the Azerbaijan First League for a place in the Premier League.

The new campaign follows the 2025/26 season, in which Sabah won its first Azerbaijan Premier League title.

The upcoming season is therefore set to begin with a new championship race involving 12 clubs competing for domestic honours and qualification for UEFA competitions.

Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev received Lu Mei, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Aliyev welcomed the ambassador and highlighted the traditional friendly and partnership relations between Azerbaijan and China, as well as the development of business ties across various fields. He also spoke about cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries.

Kamran Aliyev stressed that China has supported Azerbaijan’s legitimate position and political initiatives on various international platforms for many years. He said that, thanks to the political will of the two countries’ leaders and their regular contacts, Azerbaijan-China relations have developed dynamically in recent years and reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

He particularly emphasized Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s two visits to China in 2025 and the signing in April of that year of the Joint Statement on the Establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the People’s Republic of China with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The high level of bilateral relations has also had a positive impact on ties between the prosecution authorities of Azerbaijan and China, creating favorable conditions for expanding cooperation and exchanging experience on issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, the sides also noted that a meeting held in April in Shanghai between Aliyev and Ying Yong, Prosecutor General of China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate, had made a significant contribution to strengthening institutional relations.

The parties exchanged views on combating various forms of crime, practical cooperation and prospects for expanding legal and institutional ties. They also reached agreements on a number of areas of cooperation.

Ambassador Lu Mei thanked the prosecutor general for the warm reception and, speaking about bilateral relations, emphasized that the People’s Republic of China attaches great importance to ties with Azerbaijan and that relations between the two countries are developing successfully at a high level.

A major transport and logistics hub worth approximately $60.4 million has been launched in Kazakhstan’s Almaty Region, AzerNEWS reports.

The Kusto Logistics multimodal complex is located in the Ili District and covers an area of more than 26.5 hectares. The facility includes railway infrastructure, a container terminal, two warehouses, loading and unloading areas, road logistics facilities, and an administrative center.

The complex is designed to handle up to 100,000 containers per year and more than 111,000 tons of cargo per month. A 45-ton-capacity crane has also been installed on the site, allowing the facility to process up to 25 containers per hour.

The project is expected to create around 100 new jobs. At the same time, construction is underway on a grain terminal capable of storing up to 14,000 tons of agricultural products, which will further expand the hub’s capabilities.

According to Kanat Kopbaev, co-founder of Kusto Group, approximately 80% of Kazakhstan’s container traffic passes through the Almaty transport hub. The new facility is therefore expected to become an important link between the northern and southern parts of the country while strengthening Kazakhstan’s connections with neighboring states.

The terminal officially began operations with the departure of its first container train, marking the start of what could become a significant new chapter for regional freight transportation.

The project is particularly important because Kazakhstan is located along key routes connecting China, Central Asia, Russia and Europe. The development of modern multimodal terminals could help the country strengthen its role as a major transit hub and take greater advantage of the growing trade between China and European markets.

On Caspian Sea Day, an environmental and inclusive programme titled Caspian Senses Observatory was held at the Sea Breeze Resort in Baku, AzerNEWS reports.

The programme was organized by Sea Breeze in cooperation with the socio-environmental centre EcoSphere.

Caspian Senses Observatory is a pilot public observation initiative focused on the Caspian Sea, combining environmental research, citizen science and an inclusive approach, according to the organisers. The programme is based on the idea that everyone, regardless of age, developmental characteristics or individual ways of perceiving the world around them, can become an observer, researcher and protector of the Caspian Sea.

The first participants in the programme were young Sea Breeze residents and invited children with different developmental needs. At interactive research stations, the children explored the Caspian through different sensory channels – sight, hearing, touch and smell. They carried out simple measurements, learned about the biodiversity of the coastline, practised identifying and recording signs of pollution, and explored the accessibility of the beach environment.

“We start from a very simple idea: anyone can become an observer of the Caspian. One person may be better at noticing visual changes, while another perceives the environment through sound, touch or smell. Our task is to translate these different ways of perception into clear and comparable observations that can be recorded and brought together,” said Firuza Sultanzade, head of the EcoSphere socio-environmental centre.

This approach offers a new perspective on inclusion: it is not only about ensuring access to environmental activities, but also about enabling people with different ways of perceiving the world to participate in environmental observation and contribute to building knowledge about their surroundings.

The programme’s honorary guest was Mahir Aliyev, Regional Coordinator for Europe at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Head of the Secretariat of the Tehran Convention. His participation highlighted the connection between the local initiative involving children and the broader international effort to protect the Caspian Sea, develop environmental monitoring and engage society in safeguarding its future.

Aliyev noted that initiatives of this kind give children an opportunity to participate in environmental observation and develop a sense of personal responsibility for protecting the Caspian Sea.

“We are all part of the Caspian ecosystem. The Caspian belongs to all of us, and we all share responsibility for it. Developing this awareness at such a young age will help raise a generation to whom we can entrust the preservation of the unique environment of the Caspian Sea,” he stressed.

Caspian Senses Observatory is seen as a first step towards creating a permanent model of inclusive citizen-science monitoring of the Caspian Sea, in which observations made by people with different ways of perceiving their surroundings can be brought together in a shared platform for environmental data and public participation. The pilot programme for children provides an opportunity to test the methodology directly on the coast and develop it further for a broader audience.

Holding the programme at Sea Breeze is also connected with the resort city’s broader environmental agenda. Sea Breeze aims to consistently improve the project’s environmental sustainability at every stage of its development. Environmental assessments are conducted, water and soil quality are monitored, and the operation of engineering infrastructure is overseen.

Since 2024, Sea Breeze has been connected to centralised water supply and sewerage systems. Drinking water is supplied from centralised sources, while wastewater is directed to the city’s wastewater collection and treatment system, preventing its direct discharge into the Caspian Sea.

More than 11 million trees and plants have been planted across the Sea Breeze territory, with landscaping efforts continuing. One of the key urban-planning decisions was the creation of a broad public coastal zone: in some areas, the main development line has been set back 400-500 metres from the shoreline. The area along the sea is intended for landscaping, walking routes, public infrastructure and free public access to the coast.

Thus, Caspian Senses Observatory extends this concept to the level of public participation: the Caspian is not only part of the landscape, but also an environment that people can observe, explore and help preserve together.

The 42nd Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships are being held in Frankfurt, Germany, from August 12 to 16, AzerNEWS reports.

Nearly 300 gymnasts from various countries are taking part in the prestigious competition, which is included in the World Gymnastics calendar. The championships are being held at Frankfurt’s renowned Festhalle arena.

Azerbaijan is represented in the individual programme by Fidan Gurbanli.

Competing with the hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon, the Azerbaijani gymnast scored a total of 75.350 points in the all-around competition. Gurbanli finished 43rd in the final all-around standings.

Azerbaijani gymnasts have achieved notable results in international competitions in recent years, winning medals at European and world-level events in several disciplines.

These achievements reflect the steady development of gymnastics in the country and the work of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) in supporting national teams and preparing athletes for major international competitions.

Founded in 1956, the Azerbaijani Gymnastics Federation comprises seven gymnastics disciplines recognised by the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG).

The federation has been experiencing a revival since 2002. The restructured federation has brought gymnastics to a completely new level. The high-level organisation of the gymnastics events did not go unnoticed.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has included the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation (AGF) in the list of meritorious federations.

For many years, the AGF has been included in the FIG list of the Top 10 gymnastics federations.

In line with an instruction from President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s Great Return program to the territories liberated from occupation continues, AzerNEWS reports.

Today, 22 families comprising 102 people are being relocated to the city of Khankendi.

Residents departing for their ancestral homeland expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support provided to them. They also expressed their appreciation to the Azerbaijani Army, as well as to the soldiers and officers who liberated the country’s territories from occupation, and paid tribute to the martyrs who lost their lives in the struggle.

The families returning to their ancestral homes had previously been temporarily settled in different parts of Azerbaijan, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums and administrative buildings.

Years of longing for their homeland, painful memories and the hardships of displacement have now given way to tears of joy. The dreams of thousands of internally displaced people who endured years of hardship while preserving their love for their homeland are becoming a reality.

Among those returning to Khankendi is former internally displaced person and martyr’s mother Aziz? Mirzayeva. Speaking about her emotions as she departed from Baku for her hometown, she described the return as not only a geographical homecoming but also a restoration of a deep spiritual connection.

“I am experiencing very mixed emotions. As a displaced person, I lived in 11 different places at different times. Thank God, we are finally returning to our homeland,” Mirzayeva said.

During this emotional moment, she remembered with gratitude the Azerbaijani martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, prayed for the souls of those who died, and wished good health to the wounded veterans.

On August 15, the weather in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula is expected to be variably cloudy and mostly dry, AzerNEWS reports citing the National Hydrometeorological Service.

Brief rain is possible in some areas in the morning. Moderate northwesterly winds will occasionally strengthen during the day.

Temperatures will range from 22-25°C at night to 29-32°C during the day. Atmospheric pressure will be 759 mmHg, while relative humidity will be 70-75 percent at night and 50-55 percent during the day.

In the regions of Azerbaijan, occasional rain is expected in some areas. In isolated areas, the rain may be intense and short-lived, accompanied by thunderstorms and hail.

Precipitation is likely to intensify somewhat in mountainous and foothill areas during the night and morning. Fog is also expected intermittently in some mountainous areas during the night and morning. Moderate easterly winds will prevail.

Temperatures in the regions will range from 22-26°C at night to 32-37°C during the day, while in mountainous areas, temperatures will be 12-17°C at night and 20-25°C during the day.

An electronic information database dedicated to prominent Azerbaijani poet Afzaladdin Khagani Shirvani has been presented to users at the Azerbaijan National Library, AzerNEWS reports.

The database includes a presidential decree on the celebration of the 900th anniversary of Khagani Shirvani, as well as sections titled Afzaladdin Khagani Shirvani, A Life That Became History, Publications About the Poet, Examples of His Works, Khagani’s Literary Work and Legacy, Shirvani Heritage in University Libraries Around the World, Views on Khagani Shirvani, Commemoration of His Legacy, Khagani in Art and Video Gallery.

The electronic database brings together, in an organised format, editions of Khagani Shirvani’s works published in different years, including full-text electronic versions, as well as monographs, academic articles, dissertations and periodical press materials devoted to the poet. It also contains photographic and video materials.

The resource is intended for a broad readership, researchers, teachers, students and anyone interested in Khagani Shirvani’s literary heritage. It is expected to serve as a reliable source of information while contributing to the study and promotion of Azerbaijan’s classical literary heritage.

Khagani Shirvani, whose full name was Afzal al-Din Badil ibn Ali ibn Uthman, was born in Shirvan around 1127 and became one of the major poets and prose writers of the 12th century. He spent much of his life in Shamakhi, the capital of the Shirvanshah state, and was closely associated with the court of the Shirvanshah rulers.

His literary legacy includes a substantial Divan, the narrative poem Tuhfat al-Iraqayn (Gift of the Two Iraqs), and a collection of letters. His poetry is particularly known for its sophisticated imagery, intellectual depth and extensive references to philosophy, science, religion and the cultural life of his era. His qasidas are regarded as an important part of his literary legacy.

Khagani’s poetic name is associated with the title Khagan used by the Shirvanshah rulers. His works contain numerous references to the rulers, scholars and cultural figures of his time and provide valuable insight into the intellectual and social environment of 12th-century Shirvan and the wider region.

The year 2026 marks the 900th anniversary of Khagani Shirvani’s birth. On January 28, 2026, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the celebration of the anniversary, instructing the Ministry of Culture, together with the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, to prepare and implement a programme of commemorative events dedicated to the poet.

The presidential decree describes Khagani as one of the outstanding figures of Azerbaijan’s literary and cultural heritage, highlighting the richness of his works and their themes of justice, human dignity, intellectual freedom, moral values and the power of human understanding. It also notes the influence of his literary innovations on the development of literary and philosophical thought in the Near and Middle East.

The new electronic database at the National Library provides readers with a consolidated digital resource through which Khagani Shirvani’s works, scholarship about his life and literary legacy, and materials related to his enduring place in Azerbaijani culture can be explored.