Category: Azer News

Scientific cooperation between Azerbaijan and China has been discussed during a meeting in Baku between representatives of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and the Hong Kong Core Academy.

The meeting was attended by ANAS President, Academician Isa Habibbayli, and President of the Hong Kong Core Academy, Academician Di Zhang.

Isa Habibbayli said that Azerbaijan-China relations have reached the level of strategic partnership in recent years. He noted that political, economic, scientific and cultural ties between the two countries have also expanded.

He said that ANAS has developed close cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Hebei Academy of Social Sciences, Hong Kong Core Academy, Beijing Foreign Studies University and Hebei Normal University. He also noted that a Chinese Culture Center operates at the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature of ANAS.

Habibbayli congratulated Di Zhang on his election as President of the Hong Kong Core Academy and said the meeting could contribute to further developing scientific cooperation between the two institutions.

Di Zhang said that the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and China provides opportunities for joint scientific work. He stressed the importance of developing cooperation in new areas.

The meeting also included discussions on strengthening contacts between Azerbaijani and Chinese scientists, carrying out joint projects and research, organizing scientific events and publishing academic works.

Di Zhang later presented the diploma and certificate of full membership in the Hong Kong Core Academy to ANAS Academic Secretary, Academician Arif Hashimov.

The delegation also visited Gabala district together with ANAS President Isa Habibbayli. They toured the Gabala Archaeological Center and viewed archaeological excavations being carried out in the area.

The heads of the Gabala archaeological expeditions, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Gafar Jabiyev, and Doctor of Philosophy in History Jeyhun Eminli, provided information about the excavations and the material cultural remains found at the site.

The Chinese delegation also visited the Nij monastery in Gabala district.

Professor Li Lei, a member of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Core Academy, Professor Raymond J. Wu, Executive Deputy Secretary-General, and academy staff member Liu Mei also attended the meetings and visits.

The Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) is the country’s main state scientific institution. Established in 1945 as the Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, it became the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences after Azerbaijan regained independence.

Based in Baku, ANAS brings together research institutes and scientific centers working in areas including natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, earth sciences, information technology and other fields.

Its institutions include the Institute of Manuscripts, Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature, Institute of History and Ethnology, Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology and Institute of Information Technology.

ANAS also carries out work related to the preservation and study of Azerbaijan’s manuscripts, archaeological materials, historical documents and other cultural heritage. The academy maintains scientific ties with universities, academies and research institutions in different countries.

The Hong Kong Core Academy is an international academic organization working in science, technology, education and the humanities. Its full name is the International Core Academy of Sciences and Humanities, also known as CORE Academy.

The academy promotes cooperation among researchers and academics and supports exchanges, joint research and contacts between academic institutions in different countries.

Its membership includes scholars working in various fields, while its activities cover scientific research, technology, education, culture and the humanities.

Academician Di Zhang is the President of the academy. Li Lei serves as a member of its Executive Council, while Raymond J. Wu is Executive Deputy Secretary-General.

Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) saw no change in July compared to the previous month, the country’s official statistical office revealed in a report on Tuesday.

While the construction sector rose 1.3% and the utilities sector increased 1.7% month on month, their gains were offset by decreases in other sectors, making the aggregate figure for goods-producing industries flat.

The services-producing industries aggregate was also unchanged, “as increases across several sectors were offset by declines in retail trade and wholesale trade,” with 10 of 20 industrial sectors expanding in July overall, the statistical office detailed.

The European Union (EU) will provide Slovakia with an additional pound 105 million in compensation for military equipment supplied to Ukraine.

Slovakia’s Ministry of Defence Director General for Defence Policy Robert Bestro said the funds would be allocated from the European Peace Facility and added to previously provided compensation.

It was previously reported that Slovakia, under the former government, supplied Ukraine with MiG-29 fighter jets and S-300 air defence systems. The current government has abandoned the policy of providing military aid from state resources but allows Slovak companies to make commercial supplies to Ukraine.

The current Slovak government has ended the practice of donating weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. However, Slovak companies are permitted to supply weapons to Ukraine on a commercial basis.

At the beginning of September, the Slovak government approved a proposal to join the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine.

On September 29, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked Gianni Infantino for his support for ongoing efforts to develop football at the state level, both globally and in Azerbaijan.

The head of state highlighted the high-level preparations underway for the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival, which will be organized for the first time in Azerbaijan next month, as well as for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027. Emphasizing the importance of Azerbaijan’s participation in these sporting events, President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that these initiatives will contribute to the overall development of football across the region.

Gianni Infantino expressed his gratitude to the head of state for the reception.

Touching upon the significance of the first-ever FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival to be held in Azerbaijan, the FIFA President noted that the attention of the global sports community will be focused on the event.

During the meeting, the sides discussed efforts to develop football in Azerbaijan and highlighted recent achievements in this field.

Praising the successful cooperation established between Azerbaijan and FIFA, they discussed prospects for further partnership.

The conversation also hailed the support provided by the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) to FIFA’s activities.

Gianni Infantino presented commemorative gifts to President Ilham Aliyev.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev (pictured left) claimed on Tuesday that the world is now closer to a global conflict than at any time since 1945.

In a post on Telegram marking what would have been former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s (pictured right) 90th birthday, Medvedev accused current European leaders of Russophobia and “doing everything they can to drag Europe into war with Russia.”

The Russian official stressed Berlusconi was “probably no angel. But he wanted the best for his Italy and understood Russia’s place in the world,” adding that his passing in 2022 brought “the era of strong European politicians” to an end.

Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, tourism potential and national values were showcased at the International Culture, Tourism and Education Fair (FICTE 2026).

The event, organized in the Miraflores district of the Peruvian capital as part of World Tourism Day, brought together representatives of 39 countries, including embassies as well as cultural and educational institutions.

Azerbaijan’s stand attracted considerable interest from visitors. Information was provided about the country’s major tourist destinations, rich historical and cultural heritage, and important monuments, including the Maiden Tower and Shusha Fortress. Various promotional materials highlighting Azerbaijan’s tourism opportunities were also presented.

The opening ceremony was attended by the mayor of Miraflores, members of the diplomatic corps and other officials.

The three-day fair was visited by more than 100,000 people and received extensive coverage in the Peruvian media.

The event provided an opportunity to promote Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, tourism opportunities and national values to the South American public.

World Tourism Day is an annual international observance held on September 27. It was established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) to raise awareness of the social, cultural, economic and environmental importance of tourism and its contribution to sustainable development.

The date of September 27 was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Tourism Statutes in 1970. World Tourism Day has been observed since 1980, with a different theme highlighting a particular aspect of tourism each year.

Azerbaijan’s tourism industry has expanded considerably over the past decade, but the country still faces the challenge of turning its diverse natural and cultural assets into sustainable sources of visitor spending. Among the less conventional opportunities is mud volcano tourism, an area where Azerbaijan possesses an unusually large natural advantage but where the economic potential remains only partly developed.

More than 2,000 mud volcanoes are known worldwide, and more than 350 of them are located in eastern Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea basin. The concentration is particularly notable around the Absheron Peninsula, Baku, Gobustan, Shamakhi and southeastern Shirvan. This makes mud volcanoes one of Azerbaijan’s most distinctive geological tourism assets.

The opening of the Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex on June 13, 2024, in the Absheron district near Pirakashkul marked an attempt to turn that natural attraction into a more structured tourism product. President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the complex, which covers 12 hectares. The facility includes a tourism information center, exhibition spaces devoted to minerals and mud volcanoes, workshops and a natural history exhibition, as well as observation areas and a restaurant. The complex also created more than 60 jobs for residents of nearby areas.

The more important question now is whether mud volcanoes can become a meaningful part of Azerbaijan’s broader tourism economy.

The scale of that economy provides some context. Azerbaijan received 2.57 million foreign visitors in 2025. However, in January-August 2026, the country received 1.586 million foreigners and stateless persons from 191 countries, down 7.8% from the same period of 2025. At the same time, arrivals from EU countries increased by 6.6% to 77,800, while arrivals from CIS countries rose by 3.1% to 619,500.

These figures show both the size and volatility of Azerbaijan’s tourism market. The country has a substantial international visitor base, but visitor numbers alone do not determine the economic value of tourism. Spending, length of stay and the geographical distribution of that spending are equally important.

The accommodation sector illustrates the point. In January-June 2026, hotels and similar establishments generated 279 million manats in revenue, 3.8% less than a year earlier. Foreigners accounted for 59.2% of hotel nights, while 40.8% were generated by Azerbaijani citizens. At the same time, 81.9% of foreign visitors’ hotel nights were recorded in Baku, showing how heavily tourism activity remains concentrated in the capital.

This is where mud volcano tourism could have a role. In the first eight months of 2026, the Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex recorded 28,979 ticketed visitors. Of these, 26,235 were foreign tourists and 2,744 were Azerbaijani citizens. Foreign visitors represented more than 150 countries, with tourists from China, Russia, Trkiye, India, Poland, Germany, Italy, Bahrain and the United States among the groups specifically identified by the State Tourism Agency.

The 26,235 foreign visitors represent roughly 1.7% of all foreign arrivals to Azerbaijan during the first eight months of 2026. That is still a relatively small share, but it is significant for a specialized attraction that has operated for just over two years.

The economic potential could increase if mud volcanoes were incorporated into broader tourism itineraries rather than marketed as a standalone destination. The location is particularly relevant. The complex is roughly 100 kilometers from Baku and close to Gobustan, allowing geological tourism to be combined with cultural and archaeological attractions.

Such packages could increase visitor spending on transport, restaurants, guides, entrance fees and other services. They could also help shift some tourism-related economic activity away from Baku and toward surrounding communities.

There are, however, practical limitations. The complex currently lacks dedicated public transport, and reaching attractions outside the main tourism routes can be more difficult for independent travelers. Murad Agabayli, Chairman of the Board of the State Tourism Agency’s Reserve Management Center, has acknowledged that organizing dedicated transport for individual tourism products is not straightforward.

Infrastructure therefore remains as important as promotion. Regular shuttle services, organized excursions from Baku, multilingual information, trained geological and nature guides and stronger cooperation between hotels, tour operators and nearby attractions could determine whether mud volcanoes remain a niche attraction or become a more established component of Azerbaijan’s tourism offering.

The numbers suggest that the market already exists. Nearly 29,000 ticketed visits in eight months, more than 26,000 foreign visitors and tourists from over 150 countries provide evidence of international interest. But these figures should also be kept in perspective: mud volcano tourism currently represents only a small fraction of Azerbaijan’s overall tourism activity.

Its value may therefore lie less in becoming a mass tourism product and more in adding another distinctive reason for international visitors to spend an additional day, make another excursion and spend more money outside the capital. For a tourism economy seeking greater regional diversification, that could be a more realistic measure of the sector’s long-term potential.

There is a specific kind of dependency that forms between neighbours who have no choice regarding their geography, and the growing Iran-Azerbaijan relationship falls in that category. On September 28th in Tehran, the head of Iran’s state power utility TAVANIR, Mohammad Allahdad, met Azerbaijan’s deputy energy minister Elnur Soltanov, and he stated that Iran needed more electricity from Azerbaijan, and it needed it immediately before winter. “Cooperation has been established between them in the electricity sector,” Allahdad said with an obvious note of dependency, which could only be found in a diplomatic statement of someone who really needs something.

The figures speak for themselves. Azerbaijan supplied 72.2m kWh of electricity in January and February, with Iran being its main buyer, and it was expected to achieve the highest figures ever seen in bilateral transfers during summer 2026. And how neat the complementarity is: while Azerbaijani generation of hydro and thermal electricity goes steadily throughout all the seasons of the year, Iranian peak usage comes during summers in the cooling period and, in a different way, during winter in the heating period – the kind of dependency that Allahdad’s appeal for increased imports in the cold season attempts to solve. For Baku, the trade carries a second, quieter benefit, perhaps. Every kilowatt-hour of electricity substituted for gas-fired domestic generation frees up gas for the considerably more lucrative European market via the Southern Gas Corridor, where Azerbaijan is contracted to nearly double exports by 2027.

Now, from the looks of it, the point of discussion is more than mere volume of exports. According to Mohammad Allahdad, there are three parallel issues: first, electricity imports; second, development and modernization of joint hydro-electric power stations; third, swap deals for the delivery of electricity for gas. Such deals enable Iran to trade gas deliveries against electricity deliveries through a kind of deal that does not carry any diplomatic complications associated with payment for the latter, especially for Iran, which is dealing with the problem of sanctions applied to most of its banks. There already is some grid cooperation in various places along the common border, including Nakhchivan, while another cooperation agreement signed in February addresses the project of synchronization of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russian power grids. This trilateral initiative will be unique for Baku – the switchboard between two sanctioned and isolated countries and the rest of the world.

In the same window, Azerbaijan’s deputy prime minister, Shahin Mustafayev, met Iran’s transport minister, Farzaneh Sadegh, to push forward the International North-South Transport Corridor, the 7,200km multimodal route linking Russia, the Caspian states and India to the Persian Gulf. The numbers here are considerably larger than the electricity trade. Mustafayev has stated that INSTC capacity is being expanded in phases toward 15m tonnes annually, with an interim target of 5m tonnes from January 2028 under agreements reached with Russia. Container shipments along the corridor’s western route through Astara rose 58.3% in the first ten months of the most recent reporting year, and Iran and Azerbaijan’s bilateral trade has reached roughly $650m over the past two years on an upward trend, according to Sadegh’s own figures.

In the case of the physical constriction, it continues to be the Rasht-Astara railway in Iran, known as the “missing link” in Sadegh’s own words, which cannot allow the corridor to operate at its full potential. The project has finally seen progress, which is expected to kick off right after the Novruz holiday, while the Astara terminal facility constructed by Azerbaijan Railways is scheduled to be completed during the first quarter of 2026. Moreover, along with this, the Kalaleh-Aghband road bridge, the Astara Bridge, and the Kalaleh-Jolfa road widening are among the infrastructure projects that have been promised to be expedited.

Both energy and transport corridors have their roots in a ten-sector cooperation agreement made in Baku in February, when the seventeenth meeting of the Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Economic Committee took place. This is an important framework, since Baku-Tehran ties have traditionally been vulnerable to occasional political disputes. That would be disputes about Israel, about Armenia, about religion, the sort of disputes that have in the past caused disruptions to cross-border cooperation in short order. By establishing regular meetings of commissions, technical working groups examining grid connections, and long-term infrastructure projects in electricity and freight, the two governments are creating a framework that will make it difficult for disputes to reach their pipelines and power lines.

However, indispensability, as stated above, does not imply agreement. First of all, the energy security of Iran is limited by the simple fact that the current internal consumption of Iran already accounts for no less than 94% of the total energy production in the country, implying that Tehran cannot make much use of the situation without additional energy supplies or transport arteries – and sanctions have considerably reduced the number of willing and capable neighbours of Iran in this respect. Azerbaijan, which has both additional hydroelectric and thermal power potential, as well as the grid interconnection and one of the few open transit paths between Russia and the Persian Gulf, becomes one of the few remaining solutions to the problem.

On September 29, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, met with Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

The meeting highlighted the Vatican’s appreciation of the projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and its long-standing support. The importance of cooperation with the Holy See’s Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, particularly in the field of pediatrics, was also emphasized.

The sides also discussed the restoration of the Basilica of St. Paul and its monuments, as well as ways to further expand work in this area.

Sister Raffaella Petrini conveyed her greetings to First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and expressed her wish to visit Azerbaijan in the near future.

An explosion reported today on the section of a gas pipeline between the Al-Shula area and Deir ez-Zor in Syria was caused by sabotage.

According to the Syrian News Agency, citing the country’s state oil company, the incident disrupted the flow of gas from the Jebsa gas processing facility to power generation plants.

Firefighting teams have surrounded the site, while efforts to fully extinguish the fire are ongoing.

The cause of the fire, the extent of the damage to the gas pipeline, and the possible impact of the incident on gas supplies have not yet been established. Syrian authorities have not yet commented on the incident.

Deir ez-Zor province is one of Syria’s main oil and gas-producing regions. During the years of armed conflict, its energy infrastructure was repeatedly damaged. Syrian authorities are currently working to restore oil and gas fields, pipelines and other energy facilities.

Before the 2011-2024 civil war, which ravaged the country’s infrastructure, Syria produced 30 million cubic metres of gas per day for electricity generation, according to Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir.

Today, production has dropped to 8.5 million, while demand ranges between 22 and 25 million cubic metres, according to al-Bashir.