Category: Azer News

Competitions in four sports will take place on October 7 as part of the CIS Games in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The national teams of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan will face off for the gold medal in chovqan in Shaki. Rhythmic gymnastics competitions are also scheduled for today.

The winners in fencing as well as medalists in Greco-Roman wrestling will be announced in Ganja Sports Palace.

Azerbaijan is hosting the third Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Games from September 28 to October 8, 2025, marking a significant event in the region’s sports calendar.

This multi-sport competition brings together athletes from CIS member states and invited countries, aiming to promote friendship, cooperation, and athletic excellence.

For the first time in the history of the CIS Games, competitions are being held across seven cities in Azerbaijan: Ganja, Mingachevir, Gabala, Shaki, Goygol, Yevlakh, and Khankandi.

Each city hosts events in different sports, with the second-largest city, Ganja, serving as the main hub and officially designated the CIS Sports Capital for 2025.

Around 23 sports are being contested across 12 venues, highlighting a broad and inclusive athletic program.

A total of 1,624 athletes from 13 countries are participating in the third CIS Games. Event mascots Babir and Leyla are helping to generate enthusiasm among young fans.

On October 7, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed the heads of state and government participating in the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held in Gabala, Azernews reports.

The heads of state and government posed for a group photograph.

‘The initialing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia two months ago at the White House in Washington is set to transform the South Caucasus into a region of peace,’ said President Ilham Aliyev during his address at the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States, Azernews reports.

The head of state noted that, following the joint call to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group and related structures during the Washington summit, the decision made by the OSCE on 1 September also ended these remnants of the former conflict.

A jubilee medal will be established to mark the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of Azerbaijan (1995-2025), Azernews reports.

A relevant draft law has been submitted to the Milli Majlis.

The proposed amendment to the law ‘On the Establishment of Orders and Medals of the Republic of Azerbaijan’ envisions the creation of the jubilee medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan titled ’30th Anniversary of the Constitution of Azerbaijan (1995-2025).’

The draft has been included in the agenda of the plenary session of the parliament scheduled for October 10.

In the first three quarters of the year, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security of Azerbaijan identified 650 cyberattack indicators as a result of its cyber threat analysis activities.

Azernews reports, according to a statement released by the Service, the identified indicators were used to detect and block targeted Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) aimed at Azerbaijani government institutions. These preemptive measures successfully prevented the attacks before they could cause damage.

Out of the 650 cyber threat indicators:

216 were identified through internal investigations

434 were detected in response to requests from government agencies

The State Service continues its efforts to enhance cybersecurity resilience and protect the nation’s critical information infrastructure against evolving cyber threats.

On October 7, in Gabala, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and other heads of state and government participating in the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) attended a ceremony to lay, in an online format, the foundation stone for a mosque to be built by Turkmenistan in Fuzuli, Azernews reports.

The mosque complex to be constructed in Fuzuli by Turkmenistan will cover an area of over one hectare. The building will feature two 40-meter-high minarets and a main dome reaching 30 meters in height. The mosque will accommodate up to 500 worshippers at a time.

Member and observer states of the OTS are also contributing to the restoration efforts in Karabakh and East Zangezur initiated by the Azerbaijani state. These contributions include the construction of this mosque in Fuzuli by Turkmenistan, the Mirzo Ulugbek School built by Uzbekistan in Fuzuli, the Kurmangazy Children’s Creativity Center constructed by Kazakhstan in Fuzuli, the Manas School built by Kyrgyzstan in Aghdam, the school building under construction in Jabrayil by Hungary, as well as the participation of Turkish companies in the construction of numerous tunnels, bridges, and roads.

Azerbaijan’s trade turnover with the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) approached 6 billion US dollars in the first eight months of 2025, Azernews reports.

This was stated by First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev during his speech at the Azerbaijan Halal Business (AZHAB) Forum held in Baku.

Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan is one of the most active members of the OIC, giving priority to political, economic, and cultural relations with its member states.

‘Azerbaijan has made great contributions to the establishment of multiculturalism, intercultural and intercivilizational dialogue, and the promotion of Islamic values in the world,’ he said. ‘The prestige gained by our country in the Islamic world was reflected in the declaration of Baku in 2009 and Nakhchivan in 2018 as the capitals of Islamic culture. The events held in 2017 within the framework of the Year of Islamic Solidarity also contributed to strengthening cooperation between Muslim countries.’

Speaking about the growing scope of economic ties, Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan’s trade and investment cooperation with OIC countries aims to further facilitate trade, strengthen customs cooperation, and encourage mutual investments.

‘In January-August 2025, the trade turnover between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the OIC countries amounted to about 6 billion US dollars. Moreover, around 11,000 companies from OIC member states operate in our country. This demonstrates the depth of economic relations and mutual interest, reaffirming Azerbaijan’s role as an important and proactive economic partner in the OIC space,’ he added.

The AZHAB Forum gathered representatives of government bodies, business circles, and international organizations to discuss halal industry standards, export potential, and Azerbaijan’s position as a growing hub for Islamic business and sustainable trade.

Azerpost LLC has launched a new collaboration with the international e-commerce platform Temu as part of its efforts to expand digital logistics solutions, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

A meeting was held between representatives of Azerpost and Temu, leading to a formal agreement. As a result, Azerpost’s parcel delivery brand, Postcargo, will now work directly with Temu to handle international shipments for customers in Azerbaijan. This partnership is expected to significantly improve the speed and convenience of deliveries, especially for users in regional areas, where packages will be delivered directly by couriers.

With more than 800 service branches and pickup points across the country, Postcargo is well-positioned to support this expanded service. The collaboration also aims to strengthen Azerbaijan’s role in global e-commerce and promote national logistics capabilities. By integrating Temu’s global product range into the local market, the partnership will make international goods more accessible and affordable for Azerbaijani consumers.

Temu, which operates in over 90 markets, connects millions of manufacturers and brands with customers worldwide, focusing on offering high-quality products at competitive prices.

12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held in GabalaThe meeting underscored the evolution of the OTS from a platform for cultural collaboration into a significant geopolitical and economic actor. Leaders emphasized that shared historical roots, languages, and cultural values provide a strong foundation for coordinated action, fostering stability and growth across member states.

During his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted Gabala’s historical significance, noting that it served as the capital of Caucasian Albania from the 4th century BC to the 8th century AD. Aliyev also expressed gratitude to the Kyrgyz Republic for its leadership in presiding over the OTS and acknowledged Azerbaijan’s contribution of 2 million U.S. dollars to the OTS Secretariat to support its initiatives.

The President underscored the Organization’s transformation from a cultural platform into a geopolitical center of influence, emphasizing that shared history, language, and values unite the member states as a regional family. He stressed that peace and security are the foundations of development, recalling the Nakhchivan Agreement and the recent Garabagh Declaration as key instruments guiding the Organization’s mission.

Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s military and defense cooperation within the OTS, including over 25 bilateral and multinational exercises with Trkiye in the past year. He proposed hosting joint military exercises in Azerbaijan in 2026 for member states, emphasizing that military strength safeguards independence and territorial integrity.

Reflecting on Azerbaijan’s recent historical achievements, Aliyev reiterated the significance of the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020 and the 2023 counter-terrorism operations that ended decades of occupation, restoring the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also highlighted the peace agreement with Armenia, initialed in Washington, framing it as a turning point for the South Caucasus toward lasting stability.

Discussions at the summit highlighted regional connectivity and transport projects as central to the OTS’s agenda. Azerbaijan’s strategic location, along with infrastructure such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the International Trade Port of Alat, and the Middle Corridor, positions the Turkic states to strengthen trade links between Central Asia, Trkiye, and Europe. The opening of the Zangazur Corridor further enhances this regional connectivity, serving as a second artery within both the North-South and East-West transport corridors. Since 2022, cargo traffic along the Middle Corridor has risen significantly, and the recent opening of the Zangazur Corridor adds a new artery for regional trade.

In addition to logistics, energy security remains a cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s regional strategy. The President outlined the country’s role in supplying natural gas to 14 countries, its position as a strategic link between the Caspian region and international markets, and ongoing investments in renewable energy, aiming for around 40% of energy production from renewables by 2030. Azerbaijan has also established joint investment funds with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, collectively facilitating projects across the Turkic world totaling over 20 billion U.S. dollars.

Beyond politics and economics, the summit emphasized cultural and educational cooperation. Aliyev proposed marking the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress in 1926, highlighting the historical continuity and identity shared across Turkic nations. He also acknowledged the contributions of member states to the reconstruction of liberated territories in Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur, citing schools, mosques, and infrastructure projects built with the support of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, Turkmenistan, and Trkiye.

In a broader perspective, the OTS is evolving as a model of regional integration. From coordinated infrastructure projects to joint diplomatic initiatives, the Organization is steadily asserting its presence on the global stage, leveraging the diverse strengths of its member states: Kazakhstan’s energy resources, Uzbekistan’s industrial potential, Trkiye’s geopolitical influence, and Azerbaijan’s strategic location and economic dynamism. The Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor, in particular, exemplifies the OTS’s commitment to economic sovereignty and logistical independence, reducing reliance on external powers.

The summit reaffirmed that the strength of the Turkic States Organization lies in unity, shared identity, and actionable cooperation. Under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, the focus has been on economic integration, security collaboration, cultural exchange, and sustainable development, highlighting the country’s leadership role in shaping the organization’s trajectory.

In conclusion, the 12th OTS Summit showcased the Organization as a dynamic regional force, strengthening bonds among Turkic nations, promoting peace and security, and advancing initiatives that have both local and global impact. United, the Turkic world rises!

Azerbaijan’s national chovqan team has been crowned the champion, Azernews reports.

In the final, the national team faced off against the team from Uzbekistan.

Before the start of the match, the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were played.

In an exciting game, our national team secured a 3-0 victory. With this result, our team became the champion of the third CIS Games.

Within the framework of the third CIS Games, the chovqan tournament was held from September 28 to October 7, with the participation of teams from six countries, including Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkiye, and Kuwait.

The Azerbaijani team took first place in the chovqan tournament, the Uzbek team came in second, and the Kyrgyz team placed third.

Chovqan is a traditional equestrian sport played between two teams riding Garabagh horses, a breed native to Azerbaijan. Considered the ancestor of modern polo, chovqan was historically played during festive celebrations and holidays.

Each team consists of five riders-two defenders (fullbacks) and three attackers (forwards).

The match begins at the center of the field, where players use wooden mallets to strike a small ball made of leather or wood, aiming to score goals against the opposing team. A standard game lasts for 30 minutes.

In recognition of its cultural significance, UNESCO inscribed chovqan on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2013.