Category: Azer News

The Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center, operating under the Azerbaijan Embassy in Uzbekistan, has hosted a festive event under the slogan “Culture is Our Strength – Solidarity is Our Unity” to celebrate World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year, Azernews reports.

The event opened with the National Anthems of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Huseyn Guliyev, extended his greetings to participants on the occasion of World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year.

He highlighted the vital role of humanitarian and cultural initiatives in fostering mutual understanding between peoples and underscored that the concept of Azerbaijani identity was established by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and is successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. Ambassador Guliyev also emphasized the solidarity of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Uzbekistan.

Akif Marifli, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center, described World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day as a powerful symbol of national unity. He noted that the strong cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, built on mutual respect and trust, has reached the level of strategic partnership and provides a solid foundation for expanding cultural and humanitarian ties.

The concert program featured performances by renowned Azerbaijani singer Ravan Gachayev and young vocalist Ulkar Abdullayeva, who presented songs celebrating the homeland, national identity, friendship, and solidarity.

Theatrical performances were delivered by the Cultural Center’s “Khari Bulbul” theater troupe, showcasing scenes from Azerbaijani classical drama and musical theater, as well as traditional folk songs.

The choreographic segment featured the “Garabagh Victory” dance ensemble, also affiliated with the Cultural Center. Their performances highlighted Azerbaijan’s historical memory, national pride, and spirit of unity.

The event concluded with awards presented to creative teams and public figures who have actively contributed to promoting Azerbaijani culture in Uzbekistan. Honorees represented fields including theater, national dance, visual arts, television, and media.

A festive event dedicated to December 31 – World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year was held at the Gabala State Historical-Artistic Reserve, Azernews reports.

The event, organized at the Gabala Archaeological Center, was attended by the Reserve’s staff, teachers and students of Chukhur Gabala Village Secondary School, and parents.

In his speech, director of the Gabala State Historical-Artistic Reserve Zahir Karimov noted that December 31 – World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day has become a national holiday celebrated with joy every year.

The formal recognition of this date is associated with the name of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev. He stressed the importance of raising the younger generation with a sense of national and patriotic spirit, preserving our national and spiritual values and traditions, strengthening ties with Azerbaijanis around the world, and increasing unity and solidarity with compatriots living abroad.

It was noted that President Ilham Aliyev has successfully continued the political course of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, working tirelessly for Azerbaijan to become one of the world’s highly developed countries. Today, the unity and solidarity of our people further accelerate the country’s development. The Victory in the 44-day Patriotic War, recorded in our history in golden letters, is a clear example of our solidarity and coming together as one.

During the artistic part of the event, students of Chukhur Gabala Village Secondary School named after A. Mammadov performed poems and compositions dedicated to unity, solidarity, the homeland, the people, and the New Year.

A jury was selected from among the Reserve’s staff to evaluate the students’ New Year-themed drawings. Gifts were presented to the winning students as well as to all other participants by the Reserve’s staff.

Afterwards, the children enthusiastically watched an animated film dedicated to the New Year.

China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress has approved a revised version of the Foreign Trade Law, which will come into effect on March 1, 2026, Azernews reports, citing Xinhua.

The updated law aims to safeguard national sovereignty and development interests while expanding legal tools for implementing countermeasures in the trade sector.

Additionally, the legislation emphasizes strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights and aligning Chinese trade regulations more closely with international standards.

Originally enacted in 1994, the Foreign Trade Law now comprises 11 chapters under the new revision.

An exquisite musical and poetic evening took place in the Philharmonic’s Chamber and Organ Music Hall with 15-year-old pianist and international competition laureate Aydan Nuriyeva as the main star, Azernews reports.

From the very first chords, it became clear that this was not just a young performer, but a fully formed artist with rare talent and a deep sense of music. In her interpretation of works by Joseph Haydn, Frédéric Chopin, Robert Schumann, and Gara Garayev, the pieces sounded in a unique way-sincerely, subtly, and profoundly. It seemed as though the piano came to life in Aydan’s hands, and the keys under her fingers transformed into a living stream of emotions that reached each listener without words. The hall would fall into tense silence, only to erupt moments later in bright, prolonged applause.

The musical fabric of the evening was masterfully complemented by poetry. Between pieces, host Samray Aliyeva delicately introduced the audience to the creative nuances of the composers, revealing their inner world and the intent behind their works. Harmoniously integrated with the music, literary readings added a special emotional and philosophical depth: reader Guseynaga Aslanov delivered the poems of Azerbaijani poets Nusret Kesemenli and Nariman Gasanzade with heartfelt expression.

Aydan Nuriyeva’s musical journey began in early childhood. She took her first lessons at the age of four from her grandmother, Nazira Jangirova, an honored education worker of Russia. By the age of six, the young pianist had already confidently begun to make her mark on competition stages. Despite her young age, Aydan has won Grand Prix and numerous prestigious international competitions in Azerbaijan, Russia, the USA, and Italy. The geography of her performances is impressive: Carnegie Hall in the USA, Duomo di San Lorenzo in Italy, Rachmaninov Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory named after P.I. Tchaikovsky, Gradsky Hall Concert Hall, the State Museum ‘Tsarskoye Selo’ hall, the ‘Azerbaijan’ pavilion at VDNKh, and other iconic stages.

Aydan constantly hones her craft by attending masterclasses with leading musicians in Russia, Georgia, Montenegro, and Italy, discovering new facets of her talent. Since 2022, she has been studying at the Bulbul Specialized Secondary Music School, where her artistic development continues to gain professional depth and stage maturity.

This evening once again demonstrated that Aydan Nuriyeva’s path in the world of great art promises new brilliant discoveries and creative heights.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.

This regulation is outlined in a decision by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health governing the sale and distribution of energy drinks in the country. The measure is part of a broader strategy aimed at protecting public health and minimizing the risks linked to excessive consumption of these beverages, Azernews reports.

According to the decision, the maximum recommended daily intake is limited to two cans per person, and the caffeine content in a single can must not exceed 80 milligrams.

Furthermore, the sale and distribution of energy drinks are prohibited in restaurants, cafés, retail shops, mobile food outlets, self-service kiosks, and through delivery services.

Energy drinks may only be sold through cooperative societies and informal markets, and only with official permission and under strict supervision by the relevant authorities. Interestingly, Kuwait is among a growing number of countries taking a firm stance on energy drink consumption, reflecting increasing global concern over their impact on young people’s health.

Thailand and Cambodia have signed a joint document to restore a ceasefire along their shared border following 20 days of intense fighting, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

According to Thailand’s state broadcaster Thai PBS, the agreement was signed by Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Nakphanit and Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seyha. The ceasefire is set to take effect from December 27.

Earlier, authorities from both countries announced that they had reached an understanding on the terms of a temporary ceasefire, expected to initially last 72 hours starting Saturday. Any extension of the ceasefire will require approval from Thailand’s National Security Council.

Clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces resumed on December 8. Several days later, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the two sides had agreed to halt military operations and return to the peace agreement signed in October. Negotiations on restoring the ceasefire formally began on December 24.

The latest agreement is seen as a key step toward de-escalating tensions and stabilizing the situation along the Thailand-Cambodia border.

Members of Azerbaijan’s women’s national football team paid a visit to the Children’s Shelter and Reintegration Center operated by the Azerbaijan Children Public Union ahead of the New Year.

As reported by Azernews, citing the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA), the visit was attended by Head of the Women’s Football Department Zumrud Aghayeva, national team head coach Siyasat Asgarov, founder of the children’s shelter Kamala Aghazade, and the national team players.

The main aim of the event was to show care and attention to children, while also highlighting the active involvement of women footballers in social responsibility and charitable initiatives.

A festive event was held at the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Uzbekistan, under the motto ‘Our Strength is Culture – Our Unity is Solidarity’, to mark World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year, Azernews reports.

The celebration began with the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Huseyn Guliyev, congratulated attendees on the occasion, highlighting the role of humanitarian and cultural initiatives in strengthening mutual understanding between peoples. He noted that the idea of Azerbaijani unity was founded by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and is successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. The ambassador also noted the Azerbaijani diaspora in Uzbekistan as an integral part of this solidarity.

Akif Marifli, director of the Cultural Center, described World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day as a clear expression of national unity and solidarity. He highlighted that the collaboration between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, built on mutual respect and trust between the two countries’ presidents, has reached an allied level, providing a strong foundation for expanding humanitarian and cultural ties.

The concert program featured performances by renowned Azerbaijani singer Ravan Qachayev and young vocalist Ulker Abdullayeva, who performed songs celebrating patriotism, national identity, friendship, and solidarity.

Theater performances were presented by the Cultural Center’s ‘Khari Bulbul’ Theater Troupe, showcasing scenes from Azerbaijani classical drama and musical theater, as well as traditional folk songs.

In the choreography segment, the ‘Garabagh Victory’ dance ensemble, operating under the Cultural Center, performed national dances reflecting the Azerbaijani people’s historical memory, pride, and spirit of unity.

The event concluded with the awarding of creative teams and public activists who actively promote Azerbaijani culture in Uzbekistan. Honorees represented the fields of theater, national dance, visual arts, television, and media.

Azerbaijan is taking concrete steps to advance the redevelopment project of the Bahar and Gum-Deniz oil and gas fields under the Initial Development Plan.

As reported by Azernews, citing Bahar Energy Operating Company Limited (BEOC), the project is being implemented in line with SOCAR’s corporate strategy pursued in recent years, which focuses on reassessing the potential and operational efficiency of existing oil and gas fields.

Within this framework, a contract has been signed between BEOC and SLB for the redevelopment of the Bahar and Gum-Deniz fields under the Initial Development Plan. By January 2026, the parties plan to prepare static and dynamic models for the Bahar field, as well as a comprehensive field development plan that includes drilling and well-completion programs. The work will also involve identifying optimal areas for field development.

In addition, the agreement covers the selection of initial development wells, the preparation of conceptual engineering designs for drilling and well completion, and the finalization of the scope of work, timelines, and budget for the project’s “define” and “execute” phases.

As part of the project, modern infrastructure compliant with advanced technological standards will be established, new production and exploration wells will be drilled, and production and transportation systems will be modernized. These measures are expected to enable the first oil production by late 2027 or early 2028.

It is worth noting that changes have been made to the ownership structure of the Bahar and Gum-Deniz fields. As of August 15, 2025, SOCAR acquired 100 percent of the shares in Bahar Energy Operating Company Ltd (BEOC). Consequently, the project is now managed by SOCAR under a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

SOCAR has also developed a strategic roadmap for the partial transfer of shares (60-70 per cent) in the Bahar field and is continuing efforts to attract investors in the first quarter of 2026.

If a country is chosen to host global sports events and international competitions, it reflects the trust and confidence the international community places in it. Azerbaijan’s recent achievements in sports demonstrate not only the country’s growing athletic capabilities but also its increasing standing on the global stage. Hosting major competitions, from Formula 1 to the third CIS Games, signals that Azerbaijan has established itself as a reliable and attractive destination for world-class sporting events.

Sport is a universal language that unites people, and Azerbaijan has leveraged this principle to strengthen its international image. As President Ilham Aliyev noted during the 2025 Sports Awards Ceremony, ‘Every time our athletes raise the National Flag at international competitions, each of us feels a sense of pride. Over the past five years, our flag has been raised in international arenas as the flag of a victorious country.’ This highlights how sporting success contributes to national pride and enhances Azerbaijan’s global reputation.

A key aspect of Azerbaijan’s approach is the decentralization of sporting events. Competitions are not limited to the capital, Baku, but are held across regional cities such as Ganja, Yevlakh, and Khankendi. By hosting events in multiple regions, Azerbaijan demonstrates its nationwide infrastructure capabilities. The completion of two new Olympic Sports Centers in Ganja and Yevlakh in 2025, bringing the total to 46 across the regions, ensures that young people have access to high-quality training environments outside the capital.

This nationwide approach strengthens grassroots sports development, cultivates talent, and promotes inclusivity.

Sporting events also serve as a catalyst for economic development, particularly in tourism and the service sector. The 2025 Formula 1 race in Baku, for example, attracted 20,000 spectators on-site and a global television audience of half a billion, showcasing Azerbaijan’s urban beauty and infrastructure. Similarly, hosting the CIS Games in regional cities introduced thousands of foreign guests to local culture and hospitality, generating immediate economic benefits. As the president emphasized, ‘While any sports competition can be held in Baku, organizing the CIS Games in the regions with the participation of thousands of foreign guests clearly demonstrated our potential.’

Azerbaijan has hosted hundreds of international sports competitions, and even more are expected in the coming years. A major upcoming event is the Ski World Cup, which Azerbaijan will host for the first time in Gusar at the Shahdagh Ski Resort. This will be the first World Cup-level event held at Shahdagh since its establishment, placing Azerbaijan and the resort on the international ski calendar. The development of the resort, including new tracks, slopes, and hotels, not only elevates Azerbaijan’s sporting profile but also stimulates tourism and creates thousands of local jobs.

Azerbaijan’s strategic investment in sports infrastructure reflects a broader vision of sustainable national development. Promoting sports among the youth is not only about winning medals but also about fostering a healthy, patriotic, and socially responsible generation. By embedding physical education and sporting excellence into public policy, Azerbaijan ensures that sports contribute to long-term human capital development, essential for the country’s overall growth.

Moreover, hosting international events such as UFC tournaments, Formula 1 races, and regional games positions Azerbaijan as a center of global attention. Recognition as the ‘Sports Capital of the World’ further validates these achievements, highlighting the country’s growing influence in global sports governance and event management.

In a nutshell, Azerbaijan’s sports policy is more than a program to support athletes; it is a comprehensive national strategy that fosters youth development, boosts tourism, stimulates economic growth, and enhances the country’s global image. By investing in sports infrastructure, hosting world-class events, and promoting regional engagement, Azerbaijan shows that a thriving sports culture can be a powerful driver of national progress and international recognition.