Category: Azer News

Azerbaijani athletes have achieved impressive results at Prague European Open 2025, Azernews reports.

Mehram Imamverdiyev (81 kg) won a gold medal, while Konul Aliyeva (48 kg) and Gultaj Mammadaliyeva (52 kg) secured bronze medals.

Earlier, Islam Rahimov (66 kg) won a gold medal, Nazir Talibov (66 kg) took silver, and Hseyn Allahyarov and Murad Muradli (both 60 kg) earned bronze medals.

In total, Azerbaijan achieved 2 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals, securing second place in the overall team ranking and first place in the men’s competition.

The Prague European Open 2025 is a professional judo competition, part of the European Judo Union’s continental tour.

Some 405 judokas from 35 countries participated in Prague European Open 2025.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art across the country. Since 2015, the Federation has been led by Rovnag Abdullayev.

The country’s modern judo history was laid by Mehman Azizov, who won a silver medal at the Old World Championship in 1998.

A year later, the winner of the World Youth Games in Moscow, Rasul Salimov, grabbed the bronze medal at the European Championship in Slovakia. Another national judoka, Elchin Ismayilov, became the European champion in 2000 in Wroclaw.

However, the achievements of Azerbaijani judo fighters did not stop there. Elnur Mammadli was named the best at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 73 kg division.

The list of the country’s top judo fighters includes Rustam Orujov, Irina Kindzerskaya, Mammadali Mehdiyev, Elmar Gasimov, Hidayat Heydarov, Zelym Kotsoiev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.

At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, judokas Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg) and Zelym Kotsoiev (100 kg) earned gold medals for Azerbaijan.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is actively supporting Azerbaijan in implementing climate initiatives within the agricultural sector, said Viorel Gutu, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, during his speech at Baku Climate Action Week, Azernews reports.

He praised Azerbaijan’s leadership in climate action, particularly in agriculture and food security, and associated Baku with the success of COP29, one of the most impactful climate summits in recent years. Gutu highlighted the launch of the ‘Baku Harmony Climate Initiative for Farmers’-a joint effort between COP29 and FAO-as a major step in engaging farmers and rural communities in climate resilience.

This initiative has become a flagship program under the FAST Partnership (Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation), aimed at expanding climate finance for food and agriculture systems.

FAO is also working closely with Azerbaijan to modernize agricultural value chains, enhance digitalization, strengthen laboratories and certification systems, and pilot farm-level monitoring tools to track sustainability.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, FAO is also implementing projects focused on biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, combating land degradation, and responsible pesticide use.

Azerbaijan is preparing a comprehensive ‘National Strategy for the Efficient Use of Water Resources’ aimed at establishing modern water management and water sustainability systems across the country. The primary goal of this strategy is to ensure the efficient, sustainable management, monitoring, and protection of Azerbaijan’s water resources.

Azernews reports that this was announced by Aliaga Azizov, Deputy Head of the Strategy, International Cooperation and Research Department and Head of the Science and Innovation Sector at the State Agency for Water Resources of Azerbaijan (SAWR), during his speech at Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW2025).

Azizov outlined the key principles and objectives of the strategy, emphasizing that effective water resource management begins with accurate assessment. ‘This involves conducting hydrological and hydrogeological research, collecting data from studies, and implementing sensors and automated technologies to gather real-time information,’ he stated.

The official further explained the next step as adopting an efficient water management model: ‘This means integrated management of all Azerbaijan’s water basins, including both trans-boundary and internal rivers. Basin-based planning and management are core principles, especially critical for the proper allocation of water to agriculture, which remains the country’s largest water consumer.’

Azizov also highlighted efforts to improve water use efficiency and reduce losses: ‘Currently, there are water losses and leakages in drinking and irrigation systems in Azerbaijan. One of the strategy’s goals is to minimize these losses by 2040. Additionally, 100% installation of water meters in drinking water systems will be ensured.’

Addressing regional water potential, he noted, ‘The efficient use of water resources in the Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur regions holds strategic importance. Numerous projects are underway to ensure water security in these areas.’

All principles and targets of the strategy are long-term, with implementation planned through 2040.

Trampoline gymnastics competitions have started Shaki as part of third CIS Games in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

Around 45 athletes from 7 countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan) are competing at the event, which is being held at the Shaki Olympic Sports Complex.

The qualification round for the women’s individual event has already concluded.

Some 22 female gymnasts competed for a spot in the finals. Three female athletes from Azerbaijan – Seljan Mahsudova, Shafiqa Humbatova, and Vafa Alisultanova, represented the country in the qualification phase.

For the first time in the history of the CIS Games, competitions are being held across seven cities in Azerbaijan: Ganja, Mingachevir, Gabala, Shaki, Goygol, Yevlakh, and Khankandi.

Each city hosts events in different sports, with the second-largest city, Ganja, serving as the main hub and officially designated the CIS Sports Capital for 2025.

Around 23 sports are being contested across 12 venues, highlighting a broad and inclusive athletic program.

A total of 1,624 athletes from 13 countries had confirmed participation. Event mascots Babir and Leyla are helping to generate enthusiasm among young fans.

Azerbaijan is preparing a new climate plan – its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) – which will serve as a roadmap for building the country’s future energy system, COP29 President and Special Envoy of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Change Mukhtar Babayev said during his speech at Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW2025), Azernews reports.

According to Babayev, the new framework envisions an energy system that will be cleaner, smarter, and more resilient.

‘It outlines how we will diversify beyond oil and gas, how we will scale up renewable energy, and how we will integrate energy efficiency and innovation into our economy,’ he emphasized.

Babayev stressed that NDCs are both international commitments under the Paris Agreement and national priorities for Azerbaijan.

‘These documents are the cornerstones of the global fight against climate change. At the same time, they provide a ‘green light’ for green investments, define timelines and targets, identify national priority sectors, and demonstrate the government’s commitment to concrete action,’ he added.

The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland – Johann Wadephul, Jean-Noel Barrot, and Radoslaw Sikorski – called on Russia on Monday to cease its violations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) members’ airspace, Azernews reports.

Speaking at a meeting with Ukrainian chief diplomat Andrii Sybiha amid their joint appearance at the Warsaw Security Forum, Wadephul pressed for closer defense cooperation between European countries. He also insisted that “no member state will be left alone with this threat.”

Previously, at the same event, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed that his country, Poland, and their allies create a joint defense shield against Russian air threats.

On September 30, an official reception was hosted by Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in honor of Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic.

Masdar, the UAE’s leading renewable energy company, plans to introduce its experience in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production to Azerbaijan.

Azernews reports, the announcement was made by Murad Sadiqov, Head of Masdar’s Azerbaijan office, during his speech at the Baku Climate Action Week 2025.

According to Sadiqov, Azerbaijan’s renewable energy development strategy extends beyond export-oriented projects – it is also aimed at enhancing the reliability and resilience of the national energy system.

‘Our main goal is not just to fix current gaps in the energy grid but to build a more sustainable and dependable system,’ he said, adding: ‘Unstable energy holds no value – stability is everything.’

He emphasized the importance of energy storage systems, grid balancing mechanisms, and a diversified mix of renewable sources. Sadiqov also highlighted the growing significance of offshore wind and green hydrogen, noting that Masdar is actively investing in green hydrogen production and has already launched a pilot project for sustainable aviation fuel in the UAE. The company now aims to replicate that success in Azerbaijan.

He also pointed out that the Azerbaijani government is investing heavily in modernizing the national grid. Recently, two major energy storage systems were announced to help manage energy flow and frequency, which are expected to significantly boost the grid’s stability and performance.

Sadiqov underscored that Azerbaijan’s green energy ambitions are not limited to Europe-bound exports.

‘We’ve also witnessed agreements being signed with Central Asian countries. This marks a step toward building a large, stable energy network across the region,’ he said. ‘Azerbaijan is becoming the heart of an emerging energy hub – one that will play a critical role in the energy transition not only for the Caucasus but for the entire Eurasian region.’

A one-on-one meeting between President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Italy Sergio Mattarella has kicked off in Baku, Azernews reports.

On September 30, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, held an expanded meeting with Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic.

Addressing the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev said:

– Dear Mr. President,

Distinguished guests,

I sincerely welcome you to Azerbaijan. We attach great importance to your visit. This is a manifestation of the relations of friendship and partnership between Italy and Azerbaijan.

We meet quite often in Rome. At the same time, this is your second official visit to Azerbaijan. During our meeting last year, I invited you to Azerbaijan, so I thank you for accepting my invitation. Today, the development of Italian-Azerbaijani relations is evident. We have already discussed several important issues. Our cooperation is multifaceted. We can state that it covers many areas, from energy to industrial production. Currently, our collaboration, which also covers the education sector, is of truly strategic importance, and I can say that the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed five years ago, is being fully implemented.

Our relations are also crucial for the development of the region in which we are located and have a positive impact on our relations with the European Union. Italy has always supported our efforts to build closer relations with the European Union, and we are grateful to you for that.

Of course, there are many significant results in the energy sector. We have already talked about this. We will now continue this discussion in a broader format. Of course, we can rightly congratulate each other on the results already achieved. But our plans are broader. The implementation of new projects in the energy sector, both in a bilateral format with Italy and with the European Union as a whole, is very important, and we are successfully working on these issues.

Tomorrow there will also be a wonderful event – we will jointly participate in the opening of the new building of the Italy-Azerbaijan University. This is, in fact, our friendship project. Only three years have passed from the start of the project to its implementation. In 2022, I issued a relevant Order, and hundreds of students are already involved in education. Of course, they will become ambassadors of Italian-Azerbaijani friendship. They will both receive a wonderful education and further strengthen the friendship between us.

I greet you once again and say ‘Welcome!”

X X X

Italian President Sergio Mattarella said:

– Thank you, Mr. President. As I mentioned during our meeting, I am pleased to be visiting Baku again. I am truly delighted to see you in Baku again after seven years. This is evidence of the deep friendship that binds our countries together and of the multifaceted strategic partnership between us.

Your visit to Rome is another vivid example of our friendly relations. We attach great importance, in particular, to the strategic partnership between our countries. These relations continue to expand, cover multiple areas and are of great importance for the future.

It is a great honor for me to participate in the opening of the new university campus together with you tomorrow. This once again proves that the partnership between our countries is not limited to the economic sphere. This is also an example of the high level of cultural relations between us and the fact that they will open new horizons for the cooperation between our young people in the future.

Let me express my sincere gratitude to you for your invitation. This is also an occasion for more meetings in the future.