Category: Azer News

Sabina Aliyeva has been re-elected as Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsperson) for a new seven-year term.

The relevant decision was adopted during a plenary session of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan’s parliament) on Monday.

Three candidates were nominated for the position: Sabina Aliyeva, Elshana Valiyeva and Jeyhun Garajayev.

Aliyeva secured the highest number of votes and was elected for a seven-year term. Of the MPs who participated in the vote, 100 supported her re-election, one voted against and seven abstained.

Following her re-election, Aliyeva took the oath of office before parliament.

She pledged to perform her duties with honour and dignity, uphold the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and carry out her responsibilities independently and impartially. Aliyeva also expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis and members of parliament for the confidence placed in her.

Aliyeva was first elected Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner on November 29, 2019, from among three candidates nominated by the President of Azerbaijan.

Professional background

Sabina Aliyeva Yashar gizi was born on May 7, 1980, in Baku. She graduated with honours from Baku Secondary School No. 8 in 1996.

Between 1996 and 2000, she studied at the Faculty of Law of Baku State University, completing her bachelor’s degree with honours. She subsequently obtained a master’s degree in law from the same university between 2000 and 2002, also graduating with distinction.

From 2009 to 2012, Aliyeva pursued additional higher education in international relations at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In 2016, she defended her dissertation on the application of international legal standards concerning the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in Azerbaijani legislation, earning a PhD in Law.

Aliyeva began her professional career at the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2000. After holding various positions at the institution, she was appointed Deputy Head of the Constitutional Court’s Administration in 2015. In 2016, she was awarded the third-degree rank of State Councillor.

On November 29, 2019, the Milli Majlis elected her Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan, a position she has held since then.

Her principal responsibilities as Ombudsperson include protecting human and civil rights, investigating alleged violations of rights and freedoms, monitoring compliance with human rights standards by government authorities, and promoting legal awareness.

In her international activities, Aliyeva was elected Vice-President of the Asian Ombudsman Association in 2023. That same year, she became a member of the Board of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Ombudsman Association.

She also serves as a mentor for the Yks?lis competition, established by the President of Azerbaijan, and was a member of the Organising Committee for COP29.

Ombudsperson election procedure and eligibility requirements

Under Azerbaijani legislation, the Human Rights Commissioner is elected for a seven-year term, and the same person may hold the position for a maximum of two terms.

Thirty days before the incumbent’s term expires, the President submits three candidates to the Milli Majlis for consideration. Parliament must adopt a decision on the election of a new Ombudsperson within 15 days.

The Ombudsperson is prohibited from engaging in political activities or belonging to any political party. The officeholder also cannot serve in the management of a non-governmental organisation. Any activities incompatible with the position must be terminated within five working days of election.

On the day of election, the Ombudsperson takes an oath before the Milli Majlis, pledging to uphold the Constitution and laws, discharge official responsibilities with honour and dignity, and act independently and impartially.

A candidate must be an Azerbaijani citizen aged at least 30, hold a higher education degree, have professional experience in human rights protection and demonstrate high moral standards.

Individuals holding dual citizenship, having obligations to another state, or serving in the legislative, executive or judicial branches of government are ineligible. The restriction also applies to individuals engaged in other paid employment, with the exception of scientific, educational and creative activities, as well as those declared legally incapacitated by a court or convicted of serious or particularly serious crimes.

A roundtable discussion titled ‘Teaching Ashig Art in the Modern Era: Challenges and Prospects’ was held at the Azerbaijan National Conservatory on November 3.

The event was preceded by a press conference reviewing the outcomes of the First Kalbajar Ashig Festival.

Kamila Dadashzade, rector of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory and professor, said the festival, held for the first time in Azerbaijan in May this year, had secured a distinctive place in the country’s rich cultural life.

She emphasised that the festival aimed to preserve and develop the traditions of the ancient Azerbaijani ashig art, promote it among wider audiences both domestically and internationally, and support the creative work of young performers.

‘The festival’s objectives are in line with the key provisions of the Azerbaijan Culture – 2040 Concept. One of the concept’s main priorities is to preserve and develop artistic traditions that represent a vivid expression of our national identity,’ Dadashzade added.

Jahangir Selimkhanov, an adviser to the Minister of Culture, highlighted the importance of presenting ashig art through a dedicated festival as a means of promoting and preserving this traditional cultural heritage.

‘Support has been provided to ashig art for many years. However, presenting this art form through a festival carries particular significance. This aspiration and initiative have now become a reality. The festival is expected to be held regularly in the future under the name of Kalbajar,’ he said.

Selimkhanov noted that the location was chosen partly because Kalbajar is home to the cultural legacy of master ashig Shamshir.

‘We believe the festival will bring together ashigs from different regions of Azerbaijan, as well as performers living outside the country,’ he added.

He also described the inclusion of ashig art on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009 as a significant milestone.

However, he stressed that preserving this heritage requires more than simply having it listed by UNESCO or discussing its importance. The art form must be kept alive through continuous practice and, above all, passed on to younger generations.

Drawing a parallel with mugham, Selimkhanov also underlined the importance of supporting young performers in the ashig tradition.

Maharram Gasimli, chairman of the Azerbaijan Ashigs Union and professor, spoke about the need to support young performers and preserve the traditional dastan storytelling heritage to ensure the continued development of ashig art.

He emphasised that dastans are an integral part of the tradition.

‘Without mugham, the art of mugham singing would lose its essence. Similarly, when ashig art is separated from dastan storytelling, it becomes limited to playing the saz,’ Gasimli said.

He stressed the importance of documenting dastans and passing new examples of ashig art on to future generations.

Kamala Gasimova, a member of the Ashig Shamshir Cultural Centre Public Union and granddaughter of master performer Ashig Shamshir, said she felt particularly happy and proud that the festival bears her grandfather’s name.

Russia is preparing to launch new “massive” strikes on Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and Dnipro in central Ukraine, as reported by Ukrainian media on Tuesday.

Russian forces have allegedly amassed as many as 20 ballistic missiles, including Iskander M, S-400, and hypersonic Zircons, in the Bryansk and Kursk regions near the borders with Ukraine, for the attack, which may be launched in the near future.

Once again, power plants are expected to be the main targets. Meanwhile, major cities across Ukraine, including Kyiv, have begun experiencing power and water supply problems as a result of damage from Russian attacks on local energy infrastructure.

Global natural gas demand is expected to fall by approximately 1.5%, or 65 billion cubic meters, in 2026 compared with the previous year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This would mark the third annual decline in global gas consumption since 2020.

The forecast was published in the IEA’s Global Gas Security Review 2026.

According to preliminary IEA data, global natural gas consumption fell by more than 1%, or over 35 billion cubic meters, in January-September 2026 compared with the same period last year. The agency said lower consumption in the Middle East, along with high prices in major LNG-importing markets in Asia and Europe, had contributed to the decline in gas demand.

In particular, rising gas prices prompted several Asian countries to switch from gas to coal for electricity generation. Higher prices also reduced gas consumption in energy-intensive industries, including fertilizer production.

In 2026, the decline in global gas demand is expected to be concentrated mainly in the power generation, energy and industrial sectors. Together, these three sectors are projected to account for 90% of the overall decrease.

The impact of the conflict in the Middle East on gas markets varies significantly across regions. In the countries most directly affected by the conflict, damage to domestic gas production and processing facilities has led to a sharp decline in output across energy-intensive industries.

The IEA also forecasts a 1.5% drop in natural gas demand in the Asia-Pacific region in 2026.

“Limited LNG availability and high prices will encourage a shift towards coal in power generation and reduce capacity utilization at energy-intensive industrial facilities,” the report said.

In Europe, natural gas consumption is expected to decline by 3% over the year. The agency attributes this to lower industrial gas use amid high prices, as well as reduced gas consumption in the power sector due to increased electricity generation from renewable energy sources.

The impact of the conflict has been limited in regions that are less dependent on LNG imports.

Azerbaijan is showcasing its tourism potential and business events capabilities at the China International MICE Exchange (CIMX 2026), which has opened in Beijing.

The Azerbaijan Tourism Board, three companies representing the country’s tourism sector, and national airline Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) are jointly participating in the international exhibition, presenting Azerbaijan’s tourism opportunities, its capacity to host international events, and prospects for cooperation with the Chinese market.

CIMX 2026 is an international platform specialising in the MICE industry, covering meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. The event brings together tourism authorities, professional buyers, event organisers, travel companies, and representatives of the aviation industry from around the world.

A key objective of Azerbaijan’s participation is to strengthen the country’s profile as an international MICE destination, establish new partnerships in the Chinese tourism market, and promote business ties between tourism industry representatives from the two countries.

During the exhibition, international participants are being introduced to Azerbaijan’s rich historical and cultural heritage, modern tourism infrastructure, high-end hotels, conference and event venues, as well as its extensive opportunities for corporate events and incentive travel programmes.

The Azerbaijan Tourism Board and its partner companies are also holding business-to-business (B2B) meetings with representatives of the Chinese market. Discussions focus on developing new tourism products, attracting corporate groups, hosting international events, and exploring opportunities for long-term cooperation.

An event dedicated to promoting Azerbaijan’s ancient national and cultural heritage has been held at the National NGO Forum, jointly organised by the Mirvarid Dilbazi Poetry Assembly Public Union and the Kelaghayi House-Museum.

The event opened with the national anthem, followed by a minute of silence in memory of Azerbaijani martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the homeland.

Speaking at the gathering, Gullu Eldar Tomarli, chairperson of the Public Union, director of the Kelaghayi House-Museum, and researcher and writer, highlighted the importance of preserving Azerbaijan’s national and spiritual values and passing them on to future generations.

The event also featured presentations of her books, Kelaghayi Holiday and Kelaghayi Is Our National Treasure.

In a significant step towards promoting Azerbaijani kelaghayi internationally, the book Kelaghayi Is Our National Treasure was presented in Georgian, translated by Imir Mammadli, and in Russian, translated by Ilahe Faziyeva.

Speakers emphasised that the kelaghayi, Azerbaijan’s traditional silk headscarf, is a symbol of national identity and feminine elegance. They noted that efforts to promote this cultural heritage had gained wider momentum following its inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014.

As part of the event, visitors viewed an extensive exhibition featuring centuries-old kelaghayis from the Kelaghayi House-Museum collection alongside contemporary creations by skilled artisans. Guests also had the opportunity to explore publications dedicated to the traditional craft and watch a themed video presentation.

The event officially launched the 2026 programme of activities under the Kelaghayi Holiday initiative.

The US dollar has surpassed the psychologically significant 50-lira threshold in Turkiye’s free foreign exchange market, as the Turkish currency continues to weaken against the greenback.

The dollar’s selling rate climbed to 50.0021 lira in the morning hours of November 3, while its buying rate stood at 49.9892 lira.

The latest movement pushed the dollar’s selling price above the 50-lira mark. Meanwhile, the euro was trading at approximately 56 lira.

The Turkish lira has depreciated significantly against the US dollar over the past year. In November 2025, the dollar was trading at around 42 lira, compared with approximately 50 lira currently. This represents an increase of roughly 19% in the dollar’s exchange rate over the 12-month period.

The latest currency movement comes amid interest rate cuts by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye.

On October 22, the Turkish central bank cut its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points, from 37% to 36%.

Although the regulator reported signs of easing in underlying inflation trends, it warned that elevated energy prices and geopolitical tensions continued to pose risks to price stability.

US President Donald Trump described the $30 billion spent by Washington on its military operation against Iran as “mere pittance.”

He made the remarks in an interview with Fox News.

“I heard some stupid congressman on Fox, talking about the $30 billion spent on the war with Iran. It’s a mere pittance, because in Venezuela alone we’ve earned many times more,” Trump said.

Commenting on the military campaign in Iran, Trump described it as a “beautiful period” during which his administration had achieved what he called its “best numbers.”

He stressed that the operations in Iran and Venezuela had helped the White House attract hundreds of billions of dollars to the United States. Trump added that the country had also managed to accomplish “a lot of things.”

In late June, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought told a congressional hearing that the US military operation against Iran had cost approximately $30 billion.

Five newly constructed bridges have been opened to traffic in Baku’s Garadagh district as part of ongoing efforts to modernise and upgrade the region’s road infrastructure.

The Azerbaijan State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads told AZERTAC that the bridges had been completed and commissioned over the past few months.

Three of the bridges are located in the Gobustan settlement, at the 55th kilometre of the Baku-Alat-Gazakh highway. The remaining two have been built on the Sangachal-Chayildag and Lokbatan-Guzdak roads.

The third bridge opened in Gobustan is 45.2 metres long, with a carriageway width of 10 metres.

Meanwhile, the existing fourth bridge in the same area is also scheduled for reconstruction. Its demolition and replacement with a new structure are expected to begin in the coming days.

The projects are part of broader efforts to improve road connectivity, enhance traffic safety and upgrade transport infrastructure across Garadagh district.

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Greece exceeded $715.7 million in January-September 2026, marking an 8.7% increase compared with the corresponding period of 2025, according to the State Customs Committee.

Greece accounted for 1.92% of Azerbaijan’s total foreign trade turnover during the reporting period.

The latest figures indicate continued growth in bilateral trade over the past three years.

In January-September 2025, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Greece amounted to $658.6 million, representing an increase of 38.6% compared with the same period of 2024.

In the first nine months of 2024, bilateral trade stood at $475.27 million, according to figures published by Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Greece. Of this amount, Azerbaijani exports accounted for $429.57 million, while imports from Greece totalled $45.70 million.

Consequently, Azerbaijan’s trade turnover with Greece increased by approximately $240.4 million, or 50.6%, between the first nine months of 2024 and the corresponding period of 2026.

The three-year figures show a continued expansion in bilateral trade, although the annual growth rate moderated from 38.6% in 2025 to 8.7% in 2026.

Energy products remain an important component of trade relations between the two countries, with Azerbaijani natural gas and crude oil among the main commodities exported to Greece.

For the full year of 2025, Azerbaijan-Greece trade turnover exceeded $872.8 million, an increase of 27.6% compared with 2024, according to the State Customs Committee.