Category: Azer News

Urban planning and construction regulations will be analyzed in Azerbaijan, taking into account the green construction and green building approaches to mitigate the climate change impacts in cities, Azernews reports.

Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the State Urban Planning and Architecture Committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Health and the Center for Legal Expertise and Legislative Initiatives, must analyze urban planning and construction legislation taking into account the “green construction” and “green building” approaches to reduce the impacts of climate change in cities, study international experience and submit proposals for improving regulatory legal acts to the Cabinet of Ministers within four months.

International Mugham Center has hosted a magnificent concert featuring Azerbaijan’s traditional folk instruments as part of the project “Azerbaijani mugham”, Azernews reports.

The concert aimed to fuse classical performance traditions with modern interpretations, highlighting the rich heritage of Azerbaijan’s musical culture through a contemporary lens.

The concert program included performances by artists playing traditional instruments such as the tar, kamancha, saz, and qanun.

This initiative, dedicated to preserving and passing down the art of Azerbaijani folk music, also contributes to the development of instrumental performance. The project is set to present concerts once a month, offering music lovers a chance to experience this vibrant cultural heritage.

Honored Artists Farida Malikova,Ilham Najafov, and their students, as well as instrumentalists Ramin Rzayev, Rufat Hasanov, Natavan Hasanova, Mirhuseyn Asadullayev, Mehta Mehammadalizade, Aygul Gadirova, Gelbinur Ibrahimli, Vagif Tahmazov, and Mirnofel Hasanov delighted the audience with their performances.

Accompanying the musicians were Svetlana Ahmedova, Rena Zakiyeva, Lale Ahmadova, Orkhan Sultanov, Eldar Zerbaliyev, Ruhulla Dadasov, and Vefadar Ramizzade.

The next concert in the series will take place on February 23.

Founded on the initiative of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, the Mugham Center was established in accordance with a presidential decree dated April 6, 2005.

Construction of the center began the same year, and the building, recognized today as one of Baku’s most distinctive architectural landmarks, officially opened in 2008.

Since then, the Mugham Center has consistently hosted large-scale music festivals and concerts featuring prominent and internationally renowned cultural figures. Alongside its concert activities, the center actively works to strengthen cultural cooperation with countries such as Turkiye, Poland, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Morocco, and others.

Committed to the preservation and global promotion of Azerbaijani musical heritage, the International Mugham Center continues to expand its activities. Numerous projects are underway aimed at researching, safeguarding, and popularizing the art of mugham.

A landmark achievement was reached in 2025, when the Mugham Center became the first cultural institution in Azerbaijan to receive international status through legislation. This designation has also played a significant role in improving the social and financial conditions of the center’s staff, reinforcing its position as one of Baku’s leading concert venues.

In recent years, and particularly over the past year, the International Mugham Center has experienced a noticeable increase in interest, especially among tourists attending mugham and ethno-music concerts. During the 9th Mugham Television Contest, the center hosted numerous performances that attracted a wide and diverse audience.

Regular monthly events appeal to both professional musicians and general music lovers. Promotional banners placed around the venue help draw the attention of tourists, many of whom stop during the day to admire the center’s impressive architecture while anticipating evening performances.

This growing international appeal was especially evident during the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, when numerous racing fans and visitors to Baku also took part in the International Mugham Center’s rich musical program.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) welcomed representatives from Uzbekneftegaz JSC, KazMunayGaz JSC, and Tatneft PJSC at its Carbamide Plant on February 4, continuing efforts to exchange best practices in industrial safety, labor protection, and emergency management.

Azernews reports that the visit was part of ongoing cooperation under the Memorandum of Cooperation signed on March 4, 2025, between SOCAR and the partner companies. According to SOCAR Downstream, the memorandum facilitated a successful exchange of expertise throughout 2025, with all planned events implemented.

During the visit, guests received an overview of the plant’s operations and were presented with advanced practices in digital solutions, industrial and environmental safety, labor protection, and health. Discussions focused on sharing knowledge and experiences, with the parties highlighting the importance of further strengthening cooperation in industrial safety and labor protection.

This initiative reflects SOCAR’s commitment to regional collaboration, promoting safety standards and technological exchange across the energy sector in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Trkiye’s leading defense company ASELSAN has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Excalibur International, a Czech defense firm that is part of the CSG Group, to establish a Europe-based joint venture and introduce the KORKUT Air Defense System integrated onto the Tatra Force 6×6 wheeled platform.

According to a statement from CSG, the partnership aims to expand joint defense capabilities for both European and global markets.

The agreement represents a significant step toward strengthening defense cooperation not only in Central and Eastern Europe but also worldwide. The newly established joint venture will focus on technical collaboration in key areas such as air defense, electronic warfare, smart munitions and border security. As part of localization efforts, production is planned to be transferred to CSG facilities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

One of the first tangible outcomes of the partnership will be the integration of the KORKUT Air Defense System onto the Tatra Force 6×6 wheeled platform. Designed for both European customers and the global market, the system is positioned as a fully capable alternative to comparable European-made air defense solutions.

Amid modern battlefield developments that underscore the growing importance of highly mobile and effective defenses against unmanned aerial vehicles, the KORKUT system-integrated onto the proven Tatra platform-is expected to quickly attract customer interest and secure a strong position in international markets.

Commenting on the agreement, Excalibur International CEO Milos Sivara said the KORKUT system offers a modern and highly effective air defense solution, particularly against hostile drones. ‘The system uses high-precision programmable ammunition, which in practice means that the cost of neutralizing a single UAV is comparable to the cost of the UAV itself. This level of cost-effectiveness cannot be achieved with traditional missile-based air defense systems,’ Sivara said.

ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol said the partnership with Excalibur International and the CSG Group strengthens ASELSAN’s industrial presence in Europe and globally, while enabling the company to deliver combat-proven air defense solutions tailored to the needs of European and allied armed forces. ‘The integration of the KORKUT system onto the Tatra platform combines advanced sensor and fire-control technologies with a highly mobile and reliable vehicle, creating a flexible solution for today’s dynamic battlefield environment,’ Akyol said.

The ongoing trial of Armenian citizens accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity as a result of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan continues at the Baku Military Court, with verdicts being announced for the defendants.

Azernews reports, the court has sentenced David Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Manukyan to life imprisonment. Prosecutors representing the state had also requested life sentences for the accused.

The defendants are charged with committing a wide range of serious offenses, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism and financing of terrorism, violent seizure and retention of power, and other crimes. The trial proceedings are ongoing as the court continues delivering verdicts.

At the invitation of the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan’s non-resident ambassador to the country, Elchin Huseynli, paid a visit to the capital Colombo on February 4 to attend events marking Sri Lanka’s national holiday-Independence Day, Azernews reports, citing the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in India.

The visit included participation in a military parade and an official reception held in Colombo.

During the visit, Ambassador Huseynli held meetings with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, as well as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra, Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja, and other senior officials.

The meetings highlighted a strong mutual interest in expanding bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka in political, economic and trade relations, as well as in the fields of energy, tourism, air connectivity and education.

The importance of enhancing cooperation and exchanges in multilateral formats was also emphasized, particularly during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and in the context of the 13th Session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to be held in Baku on May 17-22, 2026.

Sri Lankan officials expressed deep gratitude to the leadership and people of Azerbaijan for providing humanitarian assistance following the country’s recent natural disaster, as well as for offering opportunities for Sri Lankan citizens to participate in Azerbaijan’s state education grant programs.

Footage from the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ceremony in Abu Dhabi was posted on President Ilham Aliyev’s social media accounts, Azernews reports.

The post reads:

Presentation of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity to President Ilham Aliyev in Abu Dhabi (04.02.2026)

Three years after the devastating earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaras on February 6, Trkiye has made significant progress in one of the largest reconstruction efforts in its history, covering 11 provinces. Hundreds of thousands of homes, workplaces and public facilities have been completed as part of the rebuilding process.

According to official data, public spending on reconstruction exceeded 3.6 trillion Turkish lira at 2025 prices, equivalent to nearly $90 billion. The first housing projects were launched just 15 days after the disaster, underscoring the speed of the response. Across the 11 affected provinces, a total of 455,000 independent units have been completed and delivered. Nearly 200,000 people were employed in the reconstruction effort, with housing built at an average pace of 23 units per hour, or roughly 550 per day. The first village houses were handed over to their owners within 45 days.

Economic recovery programs were also introduced to revive industry and employment. Financial support amounting to 23 billion lira was provided to organized industrial zones and industrial estates in earthquake-hit provinces. A total of 936 workplaces were completed in Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep and Malatya, while more than 1,800 new workplaces are planned for construction in 2026.

In the labor market, support mechanisms such as short-time work allowances and cash wage assistance provided nearly 40 billion lira in aid. The number of insured employees, which stood at 1.889 million before the earthquake, rose to 2.004 million by August 2025.

Major investments were made in education infrastructure, with 72 billion lira allocated for the construction of 13,321 classrooms and 6.9 billion lira spent on strengthening 2,776 classrooms. Universities received 5.1 billion lira for reconstruction, reinforcement and campus infrastructure, while an additional 2.4 billion lira was earmarked under the 2026 investment program.

In the healthcare sector, investments totaling 40.8 billion lira led to the completion of 109 healthcare facilities with a combined capacity of 5,123 beds. Public hospital bed capacity increased by 16 percent to 27,503. In addition, 12 emergency hospitals with a total capacity of 2,096 beds were rapidly brought into service.

Regarding transportation infrastructure, authorities announced that 98 percent of the 9,176-kilometer road network remained undamaged. Repair and reinforcement works are ongoing on damaged sections under a program worth 98 billion lira.

In agriculture and livestock farming, breeders who lost animals during the earthquakes received free livestock and beehives financed by a 909 million lira budget. In 2025 alone, total agricultural support payments across the 11 provinces reached 17.4 billion lira.

In the fields of youth, sports and cultural heritage, funding of 2.066 billion lira was allocated for 338 facilities. Inspections were carried out on 5,119 registered cultural assets, revealing that hundreds of structures had collapsed or suffered severe damage. Separate allocations of 1.5 billion lira were planned for both 2025 and 2026 for restoration and reconstruction works.

In Hatay province, the February 6, 2023 earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 7.6 claimed 24,147 lives and caused the collapse of more than 90,000 buildings. In the third year since the disaster, aerial images captured by drones were used to compare the scale of destruction with current reconstruction progress. New buildings have risen in Antakya’s Cumhuriyet Square, Rstem Tmer Pasha Street and Atatrk Street, as well as along the Asi River.

Historic landmarks, including the former parliament building and Habib-i Neccar Mosque-Anatolia’s first mosque-have been restored in line with their original architecture and reopened for use. Kurtulus Street and the Antakya-Reyhanli highway at the Demirköpr junction have been reopened, while new residential areas have replaced the former 600 Evler housing complex. The Iskenderun coastal strip has also been renewed and strengthened with new social amenities.

Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatli stated that more than 194,000 independent units in the province have either been completed or are under construction, and that 13,500 social housing projects have been launched. Describing the city’s recovery, Masatli said Hatay has been ‘reborn from its ashes, like the phoenix.’

On February 4, 2026, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, articulated the country’s position on the Taiwan issue during an interview with Global Times, Azernews reports.

Responding to a question about the enduring support between China and Azerbaijan in safeguarding core interests, sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, Bayramov reiterated Azerbaijan’s firm stance.

‘Azerbaijan’s position on Taiwan is clear, consistent, and firmly grounded in international law,’ Bayramov stated. He emphasized that Azerbaijan does not recognize Taiwan’s independence and was one of the first nations to condemn the elections held in Taiwan in January 2024.

The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s strong commitment to the “One China” principle, asserting that any actions that destabilize the regional order are harmful and counterproductive. ‘Provocations, unilateral actions, or attempts to alter the status quo through external interference only heighten the risk of conflict and undermine international trust,’ Bayramov said.

Bayramov further highlighted that Azerbaijan’s support for China on the Taiwan issue aligns with the country’s broader foreign policy principles, including adherence to international law, respect for the sovereign equality of states, and the mutual trust that underpins the comprehensive strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China.

The Foreign Minister’s comments underscore Azerbaijan’s commitment to regional stability and its ongoing strategic partnership with China, which continues to play a significant role in shaping the two nations’ diplomatic relations.

Thailand will impose a temporary nationwide ban on alcohol sales in connection with the upcoming early parliamentary elections, Azernews reports.

The ban will take effect on Saturday, February 7, from 18:00 local time (15:00 Baku time) and will last throughout the day. “According to Thai law, the sale and distribution of all types of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited nationwide during the election period. This applies to minimarkets, supermarkets, restaurants, entertainment venues, nightclubs, and any events involving the sale or distribution of alcohol,” authorities said.

Thai police warned that violators “will be subject to legal penalties, including imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to 10,000 baht ($314), or both.” They urged both citizens and tourists to cooperate, stating: “We ask everyone to show understanding so that the elections can be conducted smoothly, transparently, and fairly.”

The Election Commission of Thailand has scheduled early elections for the House of Representatives (lower house) of the National Assembly) on February 8, 2026. This followed approval by King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) of Prime Minister Anutin Chanvirakul’s request to dissolve the lower house in order to “return power to the people.” The move comes after a period of minority government led by the Phumchaithai Party (‘Pride of Thailand’), which struggled to act independently due to political pressure from the People’s Party coalition.

In addition to parliamentary elections, Thailand will also hold a referendum on drafting a new constitution, marking a significant moment in the country’s political landscape.

Election-day alcohol bans are common in Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations, intended to maintain public order and reduce election-day disturbances. Analysts note that such measures can also influence voter turnout, as many Thais traditionally socialize in bars and restaurants. The combination of early elections and a constitutional referendum makes February 8 one of the most politically significant days in Thailand in recent years, with both domestic and international observers closely monitoring the process.