Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Fariz Rzayev visited New York from July 13 to 17 to participate in the ministerial segment of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During his address at the ministerial session, Rzayev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and outlined the country’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He highlighted the implementation of the Great Return Program, under which smart and green cities and villages are being developed in the territories liberated from occupation, while the phased return of former internally displaced persons is underway. Rzayev stressed that humanitarian demining remains a key prerequisite for sustainable development in these areas.

The deputy foreign minister also emphasized Azerbaijan’s contributions to global sustainable development through hosting COP29 and the 13th World Urban Forum, as well as through humanitarian assistance and technical cooperation initiatives.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly’s informal ministerial meeting on the “Review of the State of Play of the Pact for the Future,” Rzayev underscored the importance of translating the pact into practical implementation based on national priorities and measurable results. He also stressed the need for increased financing, technology transfer, and multilateral cooperation founded on equal partnerships for developing countries.

Rzayev further presented Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable partner in the fields of energy security and regional connectivity.

During the forum, he addressed an event organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), where he emphasized the organization’s contribution, along with the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), to promoting sustainable development and regional economic cooperation. As Chair of ESCAP’s 82nd session, he said Azerbaijan would continue supporting these efforts, particularly by strengthening practical cooperation in transport, trade, digitalization, energy, and innovation.

At a separate event titled “National SDGs: Explosive Ordnance/Mine Action and Accelerating the 2030 Agenda Through International Legal Mechanisms,” Rzayev noted that Azerbaijan has designated humanitarian demining as its 18th National Sustainable Development Goal. He spoke about the continued threat posed by landmines in the liberated territories and their impact on reconstruction efforts and the safe return of displaced people.

During his visit to New York, the deputy foreign minister also held bilateral meetings with deputy foreign ministers and permanent representatives of several countries to the United Nations, and participated in roundtable discussions with representatives of research institutions.

Azerbaijan’s national boxing team claimed 13 medals at the U-17 International Boxing Tournament held in Gori, Georgia, AzerNEWS reports.

Competing against athletes from five countries, the Azerbaijani team finished the tournament with an impressive haul of five gold, six silver, and two bronze medals.

The gold medalists were Hasrat Mammadov (46 kg), Ismayil Nasirzade (52 kg), Ali Abasli (60 kg), Yusif Hasanli (66 kg), and Shukar Aliyev (80 kg), all of whom defeated every opponent on their way to the top of the podium.

Silver medals were won by Vagif Mahammadli (50 kg), Gardash Rahimov (54 kg), Ali Jamalzade (57 kg), Yusif Agakishiyev (75 kg), Saleh Farajov (80 kg), and Mehran Rasulov (+80 kg).

Aydin Shahbazov (46 kg) and Sabir Rustamov (60 kg) completed Azerbaijan’s medal tally by earning bronze medals.

American researchers have identified two naturally occurring molecules that may help slow the progression of the most common form of lung cancer, AzerNEWS reports.

The findings were published in the scientific journal FASEB BioAdvances.

The researchers studied non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and found that restoring the levels of two microRNAs-microRNA-15a (miR-15a) and microRNA-16 (miR-16)-reduced the production of proteins that tumors need for rapid growth.

According to the study, these small molecules play a crucial role in regulating gene activity and help control the processes of cell growth and division. By restoring their normal levels, scientists believe it may be possible to inhibit tumor development and open new avenues for targeted cancer therapies.

The researchers noted that further studies will be needed to evaluate the clinical potential of this approach before it can be translated into treatments for patients.

International credit rating agency Moody’s Ratings has reaffirmed the Baa3 long-term issuer rating of Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company (SOCAR), AzerNEWS reports.

In its latest report, the agency said the rating reflects SOCAR’s baseline credit assessment (BCA) of ba2, Azerbaijan’s Baa3 foreign-currency sovereign rating, the government’s full ownership of the company, the strong financial interdependence between SOCAR and the state, and the high likelihood of government support should the company encounter financial difficulties.

The agency said SOCAR’s baseline credit profile is supported by the company’s strategic role in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sector and its importance to the national economy. Moody’s also highlighted the company’s solid financial performance, strong credit metrics, and close ties with the Azerbaijani government, which maintains substantial financial reserves and has the capacity to provide support if necessary.

At the same time, Moody’s pointed to several factors that constrain SOCAR’s credit profile. These include declining hydrocarbon production, the company’s growing mergers and acquisitions activity, corporate governance considerations, exposure to fluctuations in global oil prices, and the high concentration of its operations in Azerbaijan.

Several guests who attended a reception hosted by the French Embassy in Armenia to mark France’s National Day on July 14 have reportedly been hospitalized, AzerNEWS reports.

According to local media, many attendees of the Bastille Day celebration sought medical assistance after the event and were diagnosed with an intestinal infection.

In a statement issued on July 18, the French Embassy in Armenia confirmed that a number of guests who attended the July 14 reception had reported symptoms consistent with food poisoning.

“Guests who attended the reception held at the Embassy of France on the occasion of the National Day on July 14, 2026, have informed us that they experienced symptoms of food poisoning,” the embassy said.

The embassy expressed its sincere apologies to those affected and stated that it hopes the cause of the illness will be identified. It added that the matter has been referred to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia.

Among the attendees at the reception was Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, along with other government officials and diplomatic representatives.

The exact cause of the reported food poisoning has not yet been determined, and Armenian health authorities are expected to investigate the incident.

The United States has officially closed its Consulate General in Peshawar, Pakistan, AzerNEWS reports.

The announcement was made in a statement published on the diplomatic mission’s official X account.

According to the statement, responsibility for diplomatic engagement with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province has been transferred to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs Unit (KPU) at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.

The U.S. Department of State first announced plans to gradually close the Peshawar Consulate in early May. The decision was made with consideration for the safety of diplomatic personnel and the need to allocate resources more efficiently.

The closure marks the end of the consulate’s operations, with its responsibilities now being handled through the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan’s capital.

As a result of consular measures by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Ukraine, the body of Samad Nasrullayev, captain of the “Atlas Bey” vessel, was repatriated to Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s post on X.

“The body of Samad Nasrullayev, captain of the “Atlas Bey” vessel, was sent to our country on July 17 as a result of the relevant consular measures and coordination efforts undertaken by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Ukraine,” the ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry once again expressed its deepest condolences to the captain’s family and loved ones.

“May he rest in peace,” the statement added.

A new international organization dedicated to advancing global cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) will be headquartered in Shanghai, following the signing of a founding agreement by representatives of 29 founding member states, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the new World Organization for AI Cooperation will operate as an independent intergovernmental international organization in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

The ministry said the organization will be guided by the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, while placing human interests at the center of its work. Its mission will be to promote international cooperation and global governance in the field of artificial intelligence, ensuring the technology develops in a healthy, orderly, secure, and equitable manner for the benefit of all humanity.

The founding agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who signed the document on behalf of the Chinese government.

The 29 founding members include Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, Indonesia, Laos, and 24 other countries.

The signing ceremony was also attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, along with representatives of several governments and international organizations.

Two U.S. service members were killed in Jordan on July 17, AzerNEWS reports.

“On July 17, two U.S. service members in Jordan were killed in action as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks,” CENTCOM said in a social media post.

According to CENTCOM, one additional U.S. service member remains missing following the incident.

The command also said that four other U.S. troops were evacuated to hospitals in Jordan for medical treatment. They have since been discharged, while other personnel who sustained minor injuries have returned to duty with their units.

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck the Battalgazi district of Trkiye’s Malatya province, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the earthquake occurred at 06:20 local time.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located at a depth of 15.59 kilometers.

The tremor was felt in the neighboring provinces of Elazig, Adiyaman, Tunceli, and Sanliurfa.

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum said on Turkish social media platform NSosyal: “Following the earthquake in Battalgazi, there have been no adverse findings so far, but we are evaluating all reports.”

There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage resulting from the quake.