Category: Azer News

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation headed by President of the Arab Parliament Mohamed Ahmed Alyammahi on February 11, AzerNEWS reports.

President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan maintains close ties with Arab world countries encompassing political, economic, and other areas, and highlighted the role of his visits to Arab countries and the visits of Arab state leaders to Azerbaijan in expanding these relations.

The head of state touched upon Azerbaijan’s contributions to strengthening Islamic solidarity and emphasized the significance of the Islamic Solidarity Games held in Baku in this regard.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that high-level relations have been established between Azerbaijan and the League of Arab States, and expressed confidence that the visit of the delegation led by Mohamed Ahmed Alyammahi would be productive.

Ahmed Alyammahi first expressed gratitude to the head of state for the reception.

The President of the Arab Parliament conveyed congratulations on the progress made in advancing the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia, highlighting the special role of President Ilham Aliyev in establishing peace in the region and the world, and stated that the world needs leaders like the Azerbaijani leader.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked him for the kind words and congratulations, noting that achieving peace holds great importance for the overall development of the region, and touched upon the special role of the U.S. President in advancing the peace agenda.

Alyammahi expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the Arab people to the head of state for his resolute support on issues on the Arab world’s agenda, including the Palestinian issue.

President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan has always supported the “two-state” solution to the Palestinian issue in line with the unanimous position of the League of Arab States. He recalled with satisfaction his participation in the Middle East Peace Summit held in Sharm el-Sheikh at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, as well as Azerbaijan’s invitation to the Board of Peace, and noted Azerbaijan’s determination to contribute to the peace process.

The head of state stated that the development of relations with Muslim countries, including Arab countries, is one of the priority directions of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy.

The meeting discussed the reconstruction and development projects in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories. President Ilham Aliyev noted that during nearly 30 years of occupation, Armenia had destroyed Azerbaijan’s material and cultural heritage, including Islamic religious monuments and mosques, which are now being restored.

They exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Arab Parliament, the legislative body of the League of Arab States, as well as other issues of mutual interest.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed on Wednesday that the European Union (EU) is “determined” to remove his government from power “by any means necessary”, AzerNEWS reports.

In a post on X, Orban commented on yesterday’s release from Politico, “the Brusselian elite’s official publication,” on the five steps to Ukraine’s admission to the EU by 2027. He argued that “this new plan is an open declaration of war against Hungary,” claiming that Hungarian sovereignty is in jeopardy.

“They want the [opposition] Tisza Party to come to power, because then there would be no more veto, no more resistance, and no more staying out of their conflict,” Orban concluded.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is planning presidential elections in the spring, alongside a peace deal referendum, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing Ukrainian and Western officials familiar with the matter, AzerNEWS reports.

The move allegedly came after pressure from United States President Donald Trump’s administration to hold elections by May 15, or else risk losing US security guarantees. According to the outlet, Zelensky will announce the elections on February 24, the fourth anniversary of the Russian attack.

The plan aligns with a US push, outlined by Volodymyr Zelensky to reporters last Friday, to have all documents signed to bring Europe’s largest conflict since the second world war to an end by June.

‘They say that they want to do everything by June … so that the war ends,’ Ukraine’s president said, citing the White House’s desire to shift its focus to the US midterm elections in November. ‘And they want a clear schedule.’

Holding an election would mark a dramatic political pivot for a president who has repeatedly argued that such votes are impossible while the country remains under martial law, millions of Ukrainians are displaced and about 20 per cent of the country is under Russian occupation.

According to Ukrainian and European officials involved in the planning and others briefed on the matter, Zelensky intends to announce the plan for presidential elections and a referendum on February 24, the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

‘The Ukrainians have this hard idea that it all needs to be bundled with Zelensky’s re-election,’ said one Western official.

Zelensky’s office did not respond to a request for comment. The US embassy in Kyiv declined to comment.

The arts sector continues to flourish, with a strong focus on professional development, audience engagement, and the growth of creative collectives. Supporting artistic talent and enriching cultural life remain key priorities for fostering a vibrant and dynamic cultural landscape.

In 2025, activities in art and concert institutions were significantly expanded and systematically developed. Key priorities included strengthening the work of creative collectives, enhancing professional standards in the arts, and encouraging the public to take a more active role in cultural life.

These remarks were made by Murad Huseynov, Deputy Culture Minister on February 11 during a collegial meeting dedicated to the Ministry’s 2025 activities, AzerNEWS reports, citing Azertag.

The Deputy Minister noted that 107 musical instruments across 56 different types were ordered for artistic collectives in 2025. Several of these instruments have already been delivered to the Uzeyir Hajibayli Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra, the Niyazi State Symphony Orchestra, and the Said Rustamov Folk Instruments Orchestra.

He also highlighted that within the framework of international collaboration, joint events involving foreign specialists were held, contributing to the enrichment of the local creative environment and strengthening the overall arts ecosystem.

Azerbaijan’s cultural sector is entering a new era of growth and transformation, marked by increasing public participation, international collaboration, and the revitalization of historical and liberated regions. Strategic programs and visionary policies are driving the expansion of cultural infrastructure while fostering education, artistic expression, and national identity.

The Azerbaijan Culture is spearheading initiatives that strengthen both the human and institutional capacities necessary to sustain this vibrant cultural ecosystem.

Strengthening Cultural Capacity

Significant progress was made last year in enhancing the human resource potential within the cultural sector, one of the country’s most vital domains. Numerous decisions were adopted, diverse initiatives were implemented, and the sector itself was further strengthened to ensure its sustainable development.

This was highlighted by Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli during a collegial meeting , dedicated to the Ministry’s plans for 2025, AzerNEWS reports citing Azertag.

The Minister emphasized the importance of the newly adopted “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Concept, describing it as a landmark document. According to him, the Concept will serve as a roadmap for upcoming reforms, outline strategic directions, and provide the rationale for the necessary measures to be undertaken in the coming years.

He also noted that the concept of culture carries multiple meanings and stressed the significance of cultivating a proper understanding of culture within society.

Cultural Days as a Bridge for National and International Collaboration

Organizing cultural days both at home and abroad holds special significance. This initiative plays a crucial role in strengthening bilateral relations between countries. Ensuring that these events are conducted in a more professional, comprehensive, and large-scale manner remains one of the Ministry’s top priorities. Through this platform, authorities aim to foster collaboration in a more effective and purposeful way.

The Minister also highlighted that annual city days are held in regions liberated from occupation. Such events contribute to the revival of cultural life in these areas, the restoration of historical and cultural heritage, and the enhancement of social and cultural engagement. Performances by artists, exhibitions, concerts, and a variety of cultural projects are organized, all of which make a significant contribution to the social and cultural development of these regions.

Record Cultural Engagement

In 2025, cultural institutions in Azerbaijan welcomed 6,734,300 visitors. This figure includes audiences attending film screenings, theatre performances, concerts, museum exhibitions, and circus shows. Overall, a positive growth trend in visitor numbers has been observed across the years, reflecting the increasing public engagement with the country’s cultural life.

Adil Karimli emphasized that increasing participation in cultural events remains a key objective each year. One of the core directions of the “Azerbaijani Culture – 2040” Concept is to engage people through culture, encouraging them to participate in educational and awareness-raising activities, as well as other initiatives that foster learning and personal development.

Reviving Cultural Life in Liberated Regions: Great Return Program

Under the “Great Return” Program, the Culture Ministry has been carrying out a wide-ranging and systematic set of activities. Priority is given to the restoration of cultural infrastructure in territories liberated from occupation, the creation of new cultural centers, and the preservation of the nation’s cultural heritage.

Adil Karimli noted that 2025 saw the implementation of major projects in this area, including the construction of new cultural complexes and large-scale restoration of existing facilities. The Minister added that it is expected to witness the tangible results of these ongoing projects this year.

Laos is taking significant steps to boost the quality and sustainability of its coffee and tea sectors by promoting climate-resilient, community-based agroecological systems. These efforts aim to strengthen export capacity, generate national revenue, and improve rural livelihoods, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

The Green CUP Project, which supports a green economy through climate-resilient, high-quality, and inclusive value chains, held its annual technical steering committee meeting in Vientiane on Tuesday. According to the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the meeting set the direction for the sustainable development of Laos’ coffee and tea sectors.

The initiative focuses on developing sustainable coffee and tea value chains, particularly in northern Laos, targeting 3,000 to 4,000 smallholder households and benefiting up to 25,000 people. The project emphasizes climate-resilient production methods, improved governance, and inclusive economic opportunities, with a special focus on empowering women and youth.

Speaking at the meeting, Bounchan Kombounyasith, director general of the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, highlighted the government’s commitment to building sustainable and climate-resilient coffee and tea value chains. He stressed that these efforts are designed to improve farmers’ livelihoods while protecting natural resources for future generations.

Coffee and tea are strategic agricultural sectors for Laos, contributing to sustainable economic growth, climate resilience, and rural development. The Ministry has designated coffee as a key export crop to generate national revenue and enhance living standards. Currently, more than 80 domestic and foreign companies are involved in coffee production, processing, and export, with annual export earnings estimated at around $100 million.

Tea also plays a vital role in the national economy, providing crucial income for rural households in both northern and southern provinces. Predominantly produced by smallholder families, Lao tea has strong potential to become a premium export product. Recent years have seen increased investment and growing demand from regional and international markets, strengthening the sector and positioning Laos as a rising player in the global specialty coffee and tea markets.

Notably, the Green CUP Project’s approach of combining sustainability, inclusivity, and climate resilience could serve as a model for other developing countries seeking to modernize agricultural sectors while protecting their environment.

The Azerbaijan national judo team has unveiled its preliminary squad for the Tashkent Grand Slam 2026 set to take place in Uzbekistan, AzerNEWS reports.

The country is expected to be represented by 20 judokas (13 men and 7 women) across 10 weight categories at the prestigious event.

The squad features Olympic champions Hidayat Heydarov and Zelim Kotsoyev, adding significant strength and experience to the team.

In the men’s competition, Yusif Ahmadov, Balabay Aghayev, and Turan Bayramov (all 60 kg), Nizami Imranov (66 kg), Kamran Suleymanov and Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg), Zelim Tckaev and Omar Rajabli (81 kg), as well as Murad Fatiyev and Zelim Kotsoiev (90 kg) will compete on the tatami.

In the women’s division, Konul Aliyeva, Shafag Hamidova, and Leyla Aliyeva (all 48 kg), Aydan Valiyeva (52 kg), Fidan Alizada (57 kg), Sudaba Aghayeva (70 kg), and Madina Khaysinova (+78 kg) are set to represent the team.

The tournament is scheduled to run from February 27 to March 1, bringing together top judokas from around the world for one of the season’s most anticipated competitions.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art worldwide.

The President of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation is Rashad Nabiyev, who also serves as the Minister of Digital Development and Transportation.

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, Zelim Kotsoev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), led by Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport of Abu Dhabi, is on an official visit to Baku.

As reported by AzerNEWS, citing the Baku City Executive Authority, the delegation met on February 11 with the Head of the Baku City Executive Authority, Eldar Azizov.

During the meeting, Azizov emphasized that the strong friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UAE are the result of the successful policies pursued by the leaders of both countries. He highlighted President Ilham Aliyev’s recent working visit to the UAE on February 4, during which he was awarded the ‘Zayed Award for Human Fraternity,’ describing it as a high recognition of the Azerbaijani president’s effective leadership and international engagement. Azizov noted that such developments create a solid foundation for expanding cooperation between the capitals of Baku and Abu Dhabi.

Providing an overview of Baku’s development, Azizov stated that under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, the city has reached a qualitatively new level of progress, with modernization efforts continuing successfully.

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa underscored the longstanding friendly relations between Azerbaijan and the UAE, noting that his country attaches special importance to strengthening ties with Azerbaijan. ‘This is my first visit to your city, and based on what I have seen, I am confident it will not be the last,’ he said. Praising Baku’s rapid development and effective urban management, Al Shorafa expressed hope that the two capitals would benefit from mutual exchange of experience and best practices.

The visit concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing sister-city relations between Baku and Abu Dhabi.

As a gesture of goodwill, Azizov presented the guest with the Arabic edition of the book ‘The History of the Patriotic War: The Factor of Personality,’ dedicated to Azerbaijan’s historic victory and published in 11 languages.

The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has long said that he founded SpaceX in 2002 primarily to help humanity settle Mars. The company’s website prominently highlights the Red Planet as the ideal target for human exploration and expansion, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

Until recently, Musk had largely dismissed the Moon as a viable destination. Just 13 months ago, he insisted SpaceX would go ‘straight to Mars,’ calling Earth’s natural satellite ‘a distraction.’

However, over the past weekend, Musk surprised the public by announcing that SpaceX is now focusing on establishing a lunar settlement-at least in the short term.

‘For those unaware, SpaceX has shifted its focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon,’ Musk wrote on February 8 via X, the social media platform he acquired in 2022. ‘We could potentially achieve this in under 10 years, whereas a Mars city would take more than 20 years.’

He added: ‘The mission of SpaceX remains the same: extend consciousness and life as we know it to the stars. Trips to Mars are limited to planetary alignment every 26 months, taking six months each way, while lunar missions can be launched every 10 days with a two-day trip. This allows us to iterate and grow a moon city much faster than a Mars city.’

Musk hinted at this shift last week while outlining SpaceX’s plan to operate a million-strong constellation of data-center satellites in Earth orbit. The Starship, SpaceX’s fully reusable megarocket, will launch all of these satellites-and is central to the company’s lunar ambitions.

‘Thanks to in-space propellant transfer, Starship will be able to land massive amounts of cargo on the Moon,’ Musk explained. ‘Once there, we can establish a permanent presence for scientific and manufacturing purposes. Lunar factories could produce satellites and deploy them deeper into space. Using electromagnetic mass drivers and lunar manufacturing, we could send hundreds to thousands of terawatts of AI satellites into deep space, advancing humanity along the Kardashev scale and harnessing a meaningful portion of the Sun’s power.’

(For context, the Kardashev scale classifies civilizations by energy use: Type I harnesses all power on its planet, Type II captures all of its star’s energy, and Type III commands an entire galaxy. Humanity hasn’t reached Type I yet.)

Musk emphasized that the off-Earth data-center plan is a ‘bonus’ element of the Moon-focused strategy. ‘The priority shift is due to the risk that a natural or manmade disaster could prevent resupply from Earth, causing a colony to fail,’ he wrote on February 9. ‘We can make a self-growing Moon city in under 10 years, while Mars takes 20+ years because of the 26-month alignment cycle. That is what matters most.’

SpaceX has not abandoned Mars. Musk clarified that lunar development will precede but run in parallel with Mars plans. ‘Mars missions will start in five or six years, but the Moon is the initial focus,’ he said, adding that a crewed Mars flight could happen as early as 2031.

SpaceX has been preparing for a crewed lunar mission for roughly five years. In April 2021, NASA selected Starship as the first crewed lander for the Artemis program, which aims to establish a permanent human presence on and around the Moon by around 2030.

If all goes according to plan, Starship will deliver astronauts to the lunar surface on Artemis 3, currently scheduled for 2028-pending the success of Artemis 2, which will orbit the Moon with four astronauts next month.

However, Starship still faces major hurdles. It has flown 11 suborbital test missions, but it has yet to complete an orbital flight or demonstrate off-Earth refueling, essential for lunar missions. Each Moon-bound Starship will require up to a dozen tanker flights to fill its fuel tanks.

Competition also looms. Last fall, then-NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy threatened to open SpaceX’s lunar contract to rivals like Blue Origin, though Duffy’s departure may have eased that pressure. Nonetheless, Blue Origin recently paused its suborbital space tourism flights for at least two years to focus on Moon missions, keeping the space race very much alive.

Musk’s pivot to the Moon highlights a subtle but important strategy-learning to build self-sufficient cities quickly in low-gravity environments. By starting on the Moon, humanity could develop the technology, logistics, and economic models needed for eventual Mars colonization, essentially using Earth’s nearest neighbor as a ‘training ground for interplanetary civilization.’

On the 10th, the 13th session of the Islamic World Heritage Committee of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) commenced in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as part of an ongoing festival, AzerNEWS reports citing the Culture Ministry.

The session reviewed nominations submitted for inclusion in the Islamic World Heritage List and the Islamic World Heritage Tentative List.

During the session, a decision was adopted to inscribe the Aghdam Imarat Historical and Architectural Museum Complex and the Shusha State Historical and Architectural Reserve, both nominated by Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, on the ICESCO Islamic World Heritage List.

This marks the first time that monuments in Aghdam have been included in international cultural heritage lists.

The 18th-century Imarat complex, regarded as sacred by Azerbaijanis, is of profound historical and cultural significance. Alongside the Imarat Palace of Panah Ali Khan, founder of the Karabakh Khanate, the site encompasses the mausoleums of Panah Ali Khan himself, Ibrahim Khalil Khan, and his son Mehdi Gulu Khan, who ruled the khanate in different periods. It is also the final resting place of Khurshidbanu Natavan, daughter of Mehdi Gulu Khan and a distinguished Azerbaijani poet, as well as other prominent representatives of the Karabakh khans’ lineage.

The establishment of the Imarat Historical and Architectural Museum Complex in the city of Aghdam, decreed by President Ilham Aliyev on February 20, 2025, stands as a vivid example of the special state-level attention being devoted to the revival of cultural heritage and the restoration of historical and cultural values in the Karabakh region.

President Ilham Aliyev attended the official reopening of the restored Aghdam Imarat Complex on September 19, 2024. Spanning 3.3 hectares, the complex includes facilities designed for ceremonial events, mausoleums, a historic cemetery, an equestrian complex for the presentation of Karabakh horses, and a visitor center. The Aghdam Imarat Complex is now open to visitors.

The inclusion of Shusha widely regarded as the cultural cradle of Azerbaijan on the ICESCO Heritage List serves as a powerful testament to the value placed on the revival of this reserve city’s rich historical and cultural legacy.

The session will continue through the 13th as part of the festival’s program.

With its rich cultural legacy, Azerbaijan joined the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) in 1991.

Since then, Azerbaijan has actively promoted the preservation of its Islamic cultural heritage.

The country successfully collaborates closely with various organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Islamic Development Bank, the Islamic Conference of Parliamentary Union, and the Islamic Conference of Youth Forum.