Category: Azer News

Weather conditions expected in Azerbaijan on September 10 have been forecast.

According to the National Hydrometeorological Service, Baku and the Absheron Peninsula are expected to experience partly cloudy weather, occasionally overcast. Intermittent rain is forecast in some areas during the first half of the day, with a chance of brief thunderstorms in parts of the peninsula. Northerly winds will prevail.

Temperatures in Baku and on the Absheron Peninsula will range from 15 to 19 C at night and 24 to 27 C during the day. Atmospheric pressure will be around 763 millimetres of mercury, while relative humidity will be 70-80 percent at night and 55-65 percent during the day.

Mostly dry weather is expected in Azerbaijan’s regions. However, some areas may see brief showers of a torrential nature and thunderstorms during the day. Fog is expected intermittently in some mountainous areas overnight and in the morning. Light easterly winds will prevail.

Temperatures in the regions will be 13-17 C at night and 25-29 C during the day. In mountainous areas, temperatures will range from 6 to 11 C at night and 15 to 20 C during the day.

The opening ceremony of the MAMA ‘Mother Nature’ international art exhibition was held at the PONS Foundation in Madrid.

The ceremony was attended by Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva, Arzu Aliyeva, members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Spain, representatives of the art community, and members of the local community.

Initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of the IDEA Public Union, the MAMA ‘Mother Nature’ international art exhibition brings together artists from various countries and cultures to highlight the connection between humanity and nature, as well as the importance of environmental protection.

The project was first presented in 2024 at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The exhibition subsequently gained an international dimension and was displayed in Manama, Rome, London, Tbilisi, Berlin, Tirana, Geneva, and Riga.

This time, the exhibition is being presented in Madrid through a joint initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Spain.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Spain Ramiz Hasanov described the MAMA ‘Mother Nature’ project as an international artistic initiative exploring the deep connection between art and humanity. He noted that the project draws attention to contemporary environmental challenges. Expressing gratitude to the project’s initiator, Leyla Aliyeva, for bringing the exhibition to Madrid, the ambassador expressed hope that the exhibition would not only generate greater interest in art but also help foster a stronger sense of responsibility for the environment and care for it among visitors.

Luis Fonseca Sánchez, Director General for North America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Pacific at Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, said that Spain is a country of art, creativity, and culture. He noted that this cultural strength creates new opportunities for dialogue and cooperation with partners such as Azerbaijan.

He also noted that Spain is among the European countries with the largest areas of protected natural land. These areas are accessible to thousands of visitors, demonstrating the development of a society that understands the importance of protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.

In her speech, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of the IDEA Public Union, highlighted the significance of the MAMA ‘Mother Nature’ international project. Recalling that the exhibition was first presented in Baku as part of COP29, Leyla Aliyeva said that it was subsequently displayed in various countries around the world, carrying an important message about nature, the environment, and our shared future.

‘Nature is our mother. It gives us land, water, and air. However, despite all this, we humans continue to harm these gifts that nature bestows. This exhibition is another step toward a better future,’ the Vice-President of the Foundation said.

The exhibition will be open to visitors from September 9 to 18.

The exhibition features works by renowned contemporary artists from Azerbaijan, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Ukraine, Georgia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other countries.

The ratio of US federal debt to gross domestic product (GDP) is at a historically high level.

According to foreign media, the country’s government debt-to-national-income ratio has reached 100 percent for the first time since World War II.

The debt ratio exceeded 100 percent immediately after World War II before entering a steady upward trend following its lows in the 1970s and returning to the 100 percent threshold in the 2020s. In the early 1940s, government debt stood at around 40 percent of GDP, but rose above 100 percent in 1945-1946 as a result of wartime spending, reaching a historic peak.

In the post-war period, rapid economic growth and fiscal discipline gradually reduced the debt ratio, bringing it below 25 percent by the mid-1970s. The ratio remained around 30-40 percent until the 2008 global financial crisis, after which it accelerated due to stimulus measures. However, the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020, coupled with expanded fiscal policies, pushed the debt ratio close to 100 percent. It has remained near that level and continued to rise during the first quarter of this year.

The continued increase in US government debt remains a major source of pressure on global capital markets and Treasury bond yields. Budget deficits and rising long-term borrowing costs are increasing the US government’s debt-servicing expenses, contributing to volatility in global markets.

Markets continue to closely monitor the sustainability of US fiscal policy and ongoing discussions over the debt ceiling.

According to Politiken, Denmark’s worst-ever results in the international PISA assessment are not simply disappointing – they represent a serious wake-up call for the country’s education system.

The newspaper sees the results as a consequence of what it describes as the ‘inherent danger of a starved and overly instrumental school system.’ According to Politiken, when students are taught knowledge and skills without understanding their practical value or connection to everyday life, education can quickly become boring, repetitive, and meaningless.

‘Teaching needs to be revitalized, with the teacher at the center of attention,’ the newspaper argues. It says schools should place greater emphasis on curiosity and student engagement. These should not be treated as secondary ‘soft values,’ but rather as essential conditions for effective learning.

Politiken also argues that policymakers should resist the temptation to respond to declining results by simply introducing more targets, inspections, and paperwork. Instead, greater attention should be given to the quality of teaching and the resources available to schools.

The newspaper also highlights the lack of resources in primary education. Although rebuilding and strengthening the system would be expensive, it argues that such investment is necessary. It also calls for Denmark’s 10th grade to be preserved rather than gradually phased out.

Meanwhile, Kristeligt Dagblad describes the PISA results as both a tragedy and a scandal. The newspaper stresses that there is no single explanation for the decline. Danish schools are facing rising costs associated with educating children with special needs, a shortage of qualified teachers, and insufficient basic teaching materials.

However, the newspaper is particularly critical of digitalization and the growing role of technology in education. It argues that excessive use of digital devices may weaken students’ curiosity, engagement, and ability to concentrate – all of which are crucial for successful learning.

Jyllands-Posten also points to technology as one possible factor behind declining academic performance in several countries. The newspaper highlights the growing amount of time young people spend on social media and in front of screens, as well as declining concentration and interest in studying. In a particularly blunt assessment, it concludes: ‘Humanity is simply becoming stupider.’

The newspaper also emphasizes the importance of teachers in a democratic society. It argues that Denmark needs to restore trust in the teaching profession and make it more attractive and prestigious. Better teacher training, improved working conditions, and greater respect for educators should become national priorities.

At the same time, Jyllands-Posten says parents also have an important role to play. Danish families, it argues, need to take greater responsibility for their children’s education by reading with them, practicing mathematics, encouraging regular attendance, and taking truancy more seriously.

The debate has gained particular attention because PISA is not simply a test of academic knowledge. It measures how 15-year-old students in different countries apply their reading, mathematics, and science skills to real-world problems. As a result, Denmark’s declining performance has sparked a much broader discussion about what schools should teach, how technology should be used in classrooms, and how much responsibility should be shared between teachers, parents, and policymakers.

The controversy also reflects a larger international debate: as artificial intelligence and digital technologies become increasingly important, education systems are being forced to decide whether students need more technology – or, in some cases, more time learning without it.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the state independence of Tajikistan.

According to AzerNEWS, the letter reads:

“Dear Emomali Sharifovich,

On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the state independence of the Republic of Tajikistan, I extend my most sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and, through you, to the entire Tajik people, both on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan.

Over the past thirty-five years, thanks to your visionary and resolute leadership, Tajikistan has made remarkable progress in state-building, internal stability, and socio-economic development, while steadily raising its authority and standing on the global stage. The history of Tajikistan’s independence and all of its achievements are inextricably linked to your name.

It is gratifying that the bond of friendship and brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, rooted in shared religious, cultural, and historical ties, continues to strengthen and be enriched with new substance day by day. Active high-level dialogue, regular contacts, and close cooperation undoubtedly help to further accelerate and deepen these ties.

I am confident that the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, built on mutual trust and support, will continue its upward trajectory and grow stronger through our joint efforts.

Dear Emomali Sharifovich, on this festive day, I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your responsible duties, and the brotherly people of Tajikistan constant peace, well-being, and prosperity.”

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Turkiye is holding meetings across the country to explain to citizens the ‘Century of Turkiye’ vision put forward by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Speaking at a press conference in Corum, Bayraktar said the meetings focus on explaining the ambitions and targets outlined under the Century of Turkiye vision, while also gathering citizens’ views and assessments.

‘The Century of Turkiye vision is important in terms of demonstrating how what our AK Party has accomplished in Turkiye, with the last 24 years under our government, will evolve in the Century of Turkiye and what we want to achieve. Under the leadership of our President, Turkiye has truly accomplished nearly a century’s worth of work over the past 24 years,’ Bayraktar said.

He emphasized that as Turkiye seeks to build a larger and stronger country, it is focusing on three key areas under the Century of Turkiye vision: the defense industry, a self-sufficient Turkiye in food, and energy independence.

‘We have identified these three goals as our main objectives for the Century of Turkiye. Therefore, God willing, a Turkiye that has achieved these goals will become a much stronger and larger country with a greater voice in the world. That is the short summary of the Century of Turkiye,’ Bayraktar said.

Referring to the ‘Terror-Free Turkiye’ process, Bayraktar said lawmakers had taken a historic step.

‘Indeed, our members of parliament have achieved a historic milestone here. In fact, during this period, we took a very important step in the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye with the law that received 467 ‘yes’ votes,’ he said.

Bayraktar described Corum as one of the most important provinces in Turkiye’s fight against terrorism.

‘We suffered very heavy losses and lost martyrs. But thanks to those martyrs, today we are able to discuss the National Unity and Fraternity Project here. I believe that with a ‘Terror-Free Turkiye,’ Turkiye will move to a very different point,’ he said.

Bayraktar also discussed oil production in Gabar, in southeastern Turkiye.

‘In September 2021, we made the largest oil discovery in the history of the Republic of Turkiye. That oil was beneath the mountains. It had been there for millions of years. But if you cannot go there, if you do not search and conduct drilling operations there, you have no chance of finding that oil,’ he said.

‘Therefore, once that region was cleared of terrorism, we began seismic and drilling activities in 2019-2020, and we are currently producing 83,000-84,000 barrels per day. There is currently a major energy crisis in the world. In an environment where there is such an energy crisis, every barrel of oil and every cubic meter of natural gas produced by Turkiye is extremely valuable to us.’

Bayraktar said nearly 700 kilometers of roads had also been built in Sirnak and hundreds of wells had been drilled.

‘Thousands of our brothers and sisters, most of them from that region, have now gained employment opportunities. Therefore, the children and young people there have begun looking toward the future with greater hope,’ he said.

‘Previously, perhaps the only option available to them was terrorism and going to the mountains. That is how the separatist organization presented it to them. But now things have reached a different point. There is now economic activity in that region. There are jobs and employment there.’

He said the oil and economic activity in Gabar represented a small example of what a terrorism-free region could look like.

‘This is a small glimpse of a terrorism-free region that we have created in Sirnak and Gabar. God willing, when we extend this across the entire region, meaning Turkiye and the wider region, you will all be able to see how significant its impact can be, including its effects on prosperity, social peace and development,’ Bayraktar said.

The minister concluded by emphasizing the importance of the ‘Terror-Free Turkiye’ process.

‘Therefore, we believe in the following: ‘Terror-Free Turkiye,’ and God willing, a terror-free region, is one of the most important projects of the Century of Turkiye, one of the projects that will crown it. I see that there is broad consensus on this among our entire nation,’ Bayraktar said.

A United States MQ-1 Predator drone was detected and shot down over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated Fars News Agency reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the operation was carried out by the air defense forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, the country’s regular military, in southeastern Iran. US officials have not yet confirmed or denied the incident.

In late August, the IRGC claimed it intercepted and destroyed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone east of the Strait of Hormuz using “advanced” defense systems.

A new stage is taking shape in Azerbaijan’s energy sector, whose exports have been largely associated with oil and natural gas for many years. Currently, another important direction is being added to Azerbaijan’s energy potential: green energy. Recent indicators show that this sector is beginning to manifest itself in real electricity production.

The rapid growth observed in wind energy is particularly noteworthy. In January-June 2026, 475.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity were produced at wind power plants in Azerbaijan. This is an increase of 454.7 million kilowatt-hours compared to the same period last year. In other words, an extremely large leap has been recorded in wind energy production.

What is more interesting is that the growth is expected to continue in the second half of the year. According to the statement of the Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan, Parviz Shahbazov, by the end of 2026, wind energy production is expected to increase by about six times, and solar energy production by more than 26 percent.

These figures show that Azerbaijan’s renewable energy strategy is starting to yield practical results.

Solar energy also plays an important role in this process. In the first six months of 2026, 282.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity were produced at solar power plants. Taking into account hydroelectric power plants, the total electricity production from renewable energy sources amounted to 2.7937 billion kilowatt-hours.

This dynamic creates a greater opportunity for Azerbaijan. The country can prepare to satisfy only part of its domestic electricity demand from renewable sources and export part of the green electricity it produces to foreign markets in the future.

This is where Azerbaijan’s 2030 targets are of particular importance. In the coming years, the country plans to implement new projects in solar and wind energy, increase generation capacity, expand the electricity grid, and create energy storage capabilities. This process creates the basis for turning Azerbaijan’s large renewable energy potential into an exportable product.

The European direction is one of the most important parts of this strategy. The planned electricity connections to export Azerbaijan’s green electricity to the European market via Georgia and the Black Sea could open up new export opportunities for the country. In particular, the creation of a roughly 3-gigawatt transmission facility forms an important infrastructure base for Azerbaijan to supply larger volumes of energy to the European electricity market in the future.

It is possible to talk about the expansion of Azerbaijan’s energy export model. For a long time, the main export products in the country’s energy sector have been oil and gas. In the future, green electricity may also be added to this list.

This could create a number of important economic advantages for Azerbaijan. First of all, diversifying energy exports would strengthen the long-term sustainability of the country’s energy sector. Second, new wind and solar projects would encourage foreign investment, the introduction of new technologies to the country, and the development of energy infrastructure. Third, Azerbaijan could strengthen its position as a new partner in Europe’s energy transition.

One of the most important points is that Azerbaijan has great natural advantages for this process. The Caspian Sea is distinguished by its particularly strong wind potential. There are also extensive opportunities for using solar energy in various regions of the country. Combining these resources with modern technologies, a strong electricity grid, and energy storage systems could enable Azerbaijan to generate large amounts of green electricity.

In this regard, the breakthrough in wind energy production in 2026 can be seen as the beginning of a larger process. The nearly six-fold increase in wind energy production and the expectation of a more than 26 percent increase in solar energy indicate that Azerbaijan’s green energy sector is growing rapidly.

If this dynamic continues in the coming years, 2030 could mark the beginning of a new stage in Azerbaijan’s energy history. While remaining a traditional energy exporter, the country could also become a green electricity exporter.

For decades, pipelines have defined Azerbaijan’s energy map. The energy map of the future may gradually be defined by power cables.

The main opportunity for Azerbaijan lies precisely in this: converting the wind of the Caspian and the country’s sun into electricity and exporting it to regional and European markets. This is not just a new energy project, but the formation of the future model of Azerbaijan’s energy exports.

The feature film ’44’, dedicated to the 44-day Patriotic War, will premiere on October 1, 2026, at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku.

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Anar Alakbarov announced this in a post on his Instagram page.

In his post, Anar Alakbarov wrote:

“Dear friends!

The long-awaited premiere of the feature film ’44’ will take place at the Heydar Aliyev Center on October 1, 2026. Screenings of the film will then continue in cinemas across the country.

Twelve teasers have been prepared ahead of the premiere, and we will share them with you over the coming weeks.

Today, we are pleased to present a series of the film’s official posters.

The first teaser will be released tomorrow!”

The US Department of Labor’s announcement of the number of non-farm payrolls in the country on September 4 was eagerly awaited around the world, including Azerbaijan.

In detail, central banks around the world were expected to lower interest rates in 2025. Several central banks, including the Azerbaijani central bank, also lowered interest rates in 2025.

This trend was expected to continue in 2026. However, as a result of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and the war in the Middle East, some experts began to doubt the possibility of lowering interest rates.

In June 2026, first the European Central Bank raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage points to 2.25, and then the Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised its policy rate by 0.25 percentage points to 1% from 0.75%, overturning these expectations.

Inflation in the US also exceeded the Fed’s expectations. Inflation in the US also remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. The annual CPI in July was 3.4%. The latest speech by Fed Governor Christopher J. Waller weakened expectations that interest rates would be cut soon. Thus, Mr Waller said, ‘If this continues in the data due over the next two weeks, I would be inclined to support holding the target for the federal funds rate at its current setting.’ Mr Waller also added, ‘If the incoming data for August show this improvement has been fleeting, then it may be appropriate to raise the policy rate when the FOMC meets on September 15 and 16.’

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today that nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent. Inflation above the Fed’s target and labor market gains that were significantly stronger than expected have dampened expectations of a slowdown in the U.S. economy.

These indicators increase the likelihood that the Fed will keep interest rates at their current levels at best, or raise them in a more severe scenario.

A Fed rate hike could boost the yields on U.S. dollar-denominated assets, making the dollar more attractive to investors and increasing capital flows into the U.S., which could put pressure on emerging market currencies and financial markets.

An unexpected increase in U.S. interest rates linked to monetary policy could also raise long-term interest rates in emerging market economies, dampen capital flows, and depreciate local currencies against the dollar. As a result, central banks may be forced to raise or maintain interest rates at high levels to protect the national currency and price stability. On the other hand, not raising interest rates and allowing the national currency to weaken could result in higher import prices and stronger inflationary pressures.

As for Azerbaijan, the situation may differ somewhat from other emerging markets. Azerbaijan’s large foreign exchange revenues from energy exports and high foreign exchange reserves create an important buffer against financial shocks.

Thus, the continued high energy prices against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war and ongoing tensions in the Middle East could support Azerbaijan’s foreign exchange inflows and partially offset potential pressures on global financial markets. The 2026 state budget assumes an oil price of $65 per barrel, while prices are hovering $90-100 per barrel.

On the other hand, rising natural gas prices in Europe could also be an additional positive factor in terms of Azerbaijan’s revenues from energy exports. The increase in the price of futures for October at the TTF gas hub in the Netherlands to 69.9 euros per megawatt-hour also indicates that prices in the European gas market remain high.

Furthermore, the official foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan amounted to $13.77 billion as of July 31. This is the highest figure since 2015. The reserves have increased by $2.2 billion or 19.5% since the beginning of the year.

Moreover, the volume of deposits in the banking sector also remains high. As of August 1, the total deposit portfolio of banks amounted to ?44.5 billion (approximately $26.2 billion). Of this, approximately ?22.2 billion ($13.1 billion) is held by companies, ?17.9 billion ($10.5 billion) by households, and ?4.4 billion ($2.6 billion) by financial institutions. This indicates that a fairly large domestic financing base has been formed in the banking sector.

However, this does not mean that Azerbaijan is completely isolated from global inflationary processes. Rising global food and raw material prices, rising logistics costs, and price increases in major trading partners may put pressure on domestic prices through import inflation.

Therefore, in a scenario where the Fed raises interest rates, the initial impact on Azerbaijan may be limited compared with that on more vulnerable emerging markets. However, if monetary tightening in the United States continues for an extended period, strengthening the dollar and further tightening global financial conditions, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan may also adopt a tighter monetary policy in response to rising risks to inflation, the foreign exchange market, and financial stability.