Category: Azer News

On December 24, a festive celebration for children was held at the Central Botanical Garden at the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, Azernews reports.

The event was organized by the Baku City Executive Power for children living in boarding houses. The festive program featured entertainment activities, games and musical performances, while various gifts were distributed to the participants.

As part of the event, Leyla Aliyeva, together with the children, released ten squirrels bred at the Baku Zoological Park into the Central Botanical Garden under the IDEA Public Union’s ‘urban ecology’ project. The initiative aims to protect and restore fauna species traditionally characteristic of urban environments, while also creating conditions for their natural reproduction within the garden.

In the past, squirrels and other animal species were common in Baku, freely inhabiting parks and green areas. However, environmental challenges at the end of the last century led to a sharp decline in their populations. In recent years, large-scale greening and landscaping efforts across the country, particularly those supported by the IDEA Public Union, have reduced illegal logging and resulted in the planting of numerous trees, helping to create favorable conditions for the gradual return of various fauna species to the city.

On December 24, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev conveyed his congratulations to the head of state on the occasion of his birthday, wishing him good health and new successes in his presidential activities.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the attention and congratulations.

During the phone conversation, the leaders fondly recalled the visits of the President of Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan and the President of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan, as well as their productive discussions.

The heads of state noted that Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan relations are based on the principles of brotherhood, friendship, and alliance, expressed confidence that these relations will continue to develop successfully in all areas in the future, and exchanged views on prospects for cooperation.

Multiculturalism and tolerance, which have historically shaped the Azerbaijani way of life, have today become an integral part of the daily lives of all citizens of Azerbaijan, regardless of their national identity, language, or religion, said Azerbaijan’s Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) Sabina Aliyeva.

As reported by Azernews, speaking at the Second Forum of Religious Figures of Azerbaijan, held in Baku on December 24, Aliyeva emphasised that Azerbaijan not only promotes positive practices in the fields of tolerance, multiculturalism, and interfaith and intercultural dialogue, but also consistently implements important initiatives that bring together representatives of various religious denominations.

She noted that Azerbaijan has hosted dozens of international and regional conferences, forums, and symposiums on these topics in recent years, adding that the discussions and presentations at the current forum are of particular importance for further strengthening interreligious dialogue.

Aliyeva also highlighted that the declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty’ in Azerbaijan has once again underscored the Constitution’s role as the supreme guarantor of human rights and freedoms. According to her, the Constitution clearly enshrines the principles of a secular state, freedom of conscience, equality of religious beliefs before the law, and the inadmissibility of discrimination.

The Ombudsman stressed that state-religion relations in Azerbaijan are implemented positively not only at the legislative level but also in real life. State support for mosques, churches, and synagogues, as well as the promotion of multiculturalism as a value enriching the country’s spiritual heritage, serve as vivid examples of this approach.

Touching upon the fifth anniversary of Victory in the Patriotic War, Aliyeva noted that large-scale restoration and reconstruction efforts are currently underway across Azerbaijan, particularly in Garabagh and East Zangezur, where the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity have been fully restored. At the same time, she recalled that during the occupation period, religious monuments, mosques, and cemeteries belonging to Azerbaijanis were destroyed and desecrated, adding that these facts have been documented in reports by the Ombudsman’s Office and brought to the attention of the international community.

Aliyeva further underlined that, thanks to the attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, the restoration of religious monuments is actively being carried out, reflecting deep respect for the nation’s religious and spiritual values. She also highlighted the special role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, noting that Azerbaijan is widely recognised internationally for its humanitarian initiatives and contributions to the protection and restoration of religious heritage.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has been honored with Italy’s prestigious Laurentum Special Award for the preservation of cultural heritage during the XXXIX edition of the award ceremony in Rome, Azernews reports.

The Laurentum Awards, established in 1981, recognize outstanding contributions in culture, literature, sports, and the promotion of universal values. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation received the Laurentum Special Prize in recognition of its contributions to the preservation of cultural heritage.

The award ceremony took place at Palazzo Montecitorio, the seat of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, where the international activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the fields of cultural heritage protection and intercultural dialogue were given special recognition.

During the event, speakers highlighted Azerbaijan’s tradition of tolerance and its close cooperation with the Vatican, particularly in the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage. Special emphasis was placed on the large-scale restoration and conservation work carried out under the leadership of the Foundation’s President, Mehriban Aliyeva, at St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican catacombs, which were praised as significant contributions to safeguarding global cultural heritage.

In line with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the Great Return to the territories liberated from occupation is continuing.

According to Azernews, the former IDP families resettled in the villages of Sos in Khojavend district and Horovlu in Jabrayil district had previously been living temporarily in various parts of the country, primarily in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

At this stage, 24 families comprising 99 people have been relocated to Sos village in Khojavend district, while 19 families totaling 70 people have moved to Horovlu village in Jabrayil district.

Residents returning to their native lands expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support provided to them. They also conveyed their appreciation to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, its heroic soldiers and officers who liberated the country’s territories, and paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives along this path.

It should be noted that more than 50,000 people currently live in Garabagh and East Zangezur. This figure includes former internally displaced persons resettled in the region, as well as individuals involved in the implementation of reconstruction projects, employees of local branches of state institutions, and staff working in healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy facilities that have resumed operations.

On December 24, Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, made a phone call to Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The Russian President congratulated the head of state on his birthday, wishing him success in his presidential duties and robust health.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the attention and congratulations.

During the telephone conversation, the parties touched upon issues discussed at the recent meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia, exchanged views on the prospects for bilateral cooperation, and discussed regional matters.

Moscow is discussing the possibility of sending fertilizers to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Overchuk said, Azernews reports.

Overchuk described the first shipment of Russian grain to Armenia via Azerbaijan as a significant milestone. ‘An important event has occurred – the first train carrying Russian grain was delivered to Armenia through Azerbaijan and Georgia. This is the first time such a shipment has taken place since Armenia and Azerbaijan gained independence,’ he said.

He added that Kazakh grain subsequently followed the same route. ‘We are also exploring the possibility of transporting other types of cargo along this line, such as fertilizers,’ Overchuk noted.

According to the deputy prime minister, Moscow and Yerevan are discussing expanding bilateral supplies from Armenia through imports: ‘This involves providing reverse shipments from Armenia to Russia via Azerbaijani territory. All of these are changes that until recently seemed impossible.’

Russia’s diplomatic presence in Poland has effectively come to an end after Warsaw ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in the city of Gdansk, the last remaining Russian consular office in the country, Azernews reports.

Poland’s foreign ministry instructed the consulate to cease operations by December 23, following accusations that Russian agents were involved in the sabotage of a railway line last month. Under the order, consulate employees were required to leave Polish territory. However, Moscow has refused to fully vacate the premises, insisting on leaving one ‘administrative and technical employee’ behind to ‘ensure the inviolability’ of the building.

The dispute centers on a villa located on Batorego Street, which has housed Kremlin diplomats since 1951. Russian officials argue that the property was transferred to the Soviet Union in the early 1950s as compensation for assets lost during World War II. ‘We believe this is our property,’ Andrei Ordash, chargé d’affaires of the Russian embassy in Warsaw, told broadcaster TVN.

Polish authorities strongly reject this claim. Gdansk city hall has described Russia’s position as ‘incomprehensible,’ noting that available documentation does not support Moscow’s assertions. According to Poland’s land and mortgage registers, the building belongs to the Polish state treasury.

The city also recalls that in 2013 it began charging usage fees for the property, which the Russian consulate refused to pay. Unpaid fees for the period between 2013 and 2023 are estimated at around 5.5 million zloty, with interest adding a further 3 million zloty.

Historically, Russia and later the Soviet Union had operated a consulate in Gdansk since the era of Tsar Peter the Great. That earlier facility was seized by Nazi Germany in 1941 and destroyed in 1945 during the Red Army’s advance.

Despite Russia’s objections, recent video footage confirms that the consulate in Gdansk has been shut down, marking the complete expulsion of Russian consular institutions from Poland.

Garabagh’s transformation was on full display during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit on December 23, as the head of state reviewed projects spanning settlement restoration, education, industry, and power supply. The visit reflected a broader policy focus on turning liberated territories into economically active and socially viable regions.

The visit brought together key elements of this process, including resettlement, education, energy security, industrial development, and private investment, all within a single day’s agenda.

The head of state first visited the Karkijahan settlement in Khankendi, where renovation works that began in May this year are gradually transforming the area into a livable community for returning residents. The settlement consists of dozens of apartment buildings and over a thousand individual houses, many of which suffered extensive damage during the years of occupation. Restoration efforts are now translating into concrete outcomes. Several dozen homes have already been fully renovated, enabling the first group of families to return to their ancestral lands after long years of displacement. Alongside housing, essential infrastructure has been restored, including water, gas, electricity, telecommunications, street lighting, and internal roads, reinforcing the principle that resettlement must be accompanied by dignified living conditions.

Renovation of the settlement began in May this year and covers 33 apartment buildings and 1,037 individual houses. Of these, 247 houses were deemed uninhabitable and 790 partially habitable. By the end of this year, 40 houses are planned to be repaired, with a further 280 scheduled for renovation in 2026. So far, renovation has been completed in 30 houses, enabling the return of 30 families, comprising 115 residents, to their ancestral homes after years of displacement.

Social infrastructure featured prominently during the visit. President Aliyev attended the opening of the newly renovated Secondary School No. 1 in Karkijahan, a modern educational facility designed to serve hundreds of students. Equipped with laboratories, STEAM and IT rooms, sports facilities, and spaces for extracurricular activities, the school reflects a broader policy emphasis on rebuilding education systems in liberated areas as a foundation for sustainable return and long-term development.

Higher education also stood at the center of the visit. The president laid the foundation stone for the Engineering Faculty building of Garabagh University and attended the opening of the new Faculty of Business and Economics building. These developments are shaping Garabagh University into a full-fledged academic hub, aimed at training specialists in engineering, economics, management, and technology. With modern campuses, research facilities, and innovation-oriented curricula, the university is positioned not only as an educational institution but also as a driver of human capital formation for the region’s economic revival.

Energy security, a prerequisite for both social life and industrial activity, was another major focus. The President attended the opening of the 110/35/10 kV Khankendi-1 substation, the first closed-type 110 kV substation in the liberated territories. Built in line with urban grid standards, the facility ensures an uninterrupted electricity supply to Khankendi, as well as the Aghdara, Khojaly, and Khojavend districts. Over the past five years, approximately 1,000 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines and 12 substations have been constructed across Garabagh and East Zangazur, forming a ring-type power supply network and marking the largest modernization of the region’s power system to date.

The visit also reflected the growing role of private investment and industrial activity in the liberated territories. In the Khojaly district, President Aliyev attended the opening of an office furniture and accessories production facility, an enterprise equipped with advanced foreign technologies and oriented toward both domestic and export markets. The project has already created permanent jobs and is expected to expand employment further in subsequent stages, benefiting from state incentives designed to encourage entrepreneurship in Garabagh.

The economic dimension of reconstruction was reflected in multiple industrial openings. In the Khojaly district, President Aliyev attended the opening of an office furniture and accessories production facility owned by Accurate Az LLC. The enterprise, valued at 20 million manats [approximately 11.8 million USD], is expected to produce 240,000 units of office furniture and four million accessories annually, with 60 percent of output destined for export. The facility has already created 80 permanent jobs, with plans to expand employment to 450 in later stages.

In Aghdam Industrial Park, the president opened a metal electric pole production facility with an annual capacity of 7,200 tons, employing 32 people, and laid the foundation stone for another furniture production enterprise with a projected investment of 8 million manats [around 4.7 million USD]. The Industrial Park itself now hosts 32 resident companies with total planned investments exceeding 312 million manats [about 183.5 million USD], nearly 970 permanent jobs, and production valued at 945 million manats [around 555.9 million USD], including exports worth 39.5 million manats [about 23.2 million USD].

Industrial development continued in Aghdam, where the president attended the opening of a metal electric pole production facility at the Aghdam Industrial Park and laid the foundation stone for a new furniture manufacturing enterprise. These projects illustrate the gradual emergence of Aghdam as an industrial center, supported by tax and customs incentives, preferential financing, and state-backed infrastructure. The industrial park has already attracted multiple investors, generating jobs for local residents and contributing to regional economic diversification.

Tourism and services were not left out of the day’s agenda. President Aliyev attended the opening of the Hilton Garden Inn Aghdam hotel, a large-scale hospitality project located near key transport and cultural facilities. The hotel adds a new dimension to Aghdam’s urban landscape, supporting both business activity and tourism while creating new employment opportunities. The 287-bed facility includes 127 rooms and has created 120 permanent jobs, reinforcing Aghdam’s re-emergence as a regional service and transport hub.

Taken together, the President’s visits present a cohesive picture of Garabagh’s transformation. Housing reconstruction, education, energy infrastructure, industry, and tourism are being developed in parallel, reinforcing one another. The emphasis on modern standards, institutional presence, and private sector participation signals that the restoration of Garabagh is not limited to physical rebuilding, but is aimed at establishing a sustainable socio-economic ecosystem capable of supporting long-term peace, return, and development.

On December 23, participants of the international conference ‘Protecting Children in the Digital Environment: Modern Tools and International Cooperation,’ visited the Heydar Aliyev Center.

Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of IDEA Public Union, accompanied the guests during their visit to the ‘My Seas, My Oceans’ exhibition, which calls attention to the urgent need for preserving the world’s water resources.

Organized on the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and IDEA, the exhibition features works by contemporary artists reflecting a range of global challenges – from pollution and overfishing to the loss of biodiversity. In these artworks, water is portrayed as a source of life, renewal, and imagination.

Painters, sculptors, multimedia artists, and multidisciplinary creators address themes such as water conservation, climate change, sustainability, and marine biodiversity, using their artistic expressions to advocate for the protection of our seas, oceans, and shared future.

Following the exhibition tour, Leyla Aliyeva held a bilateral meeting with Zahra Pezeshkian, Head of the Iranian Delegation and daughter of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

During the event, the guests presented Leyla Aliyeva with a gift, and she, in turn, reciprocated by presenting gifts to the attendees.