Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan continues to advance its agenda of economic diversification, export expansion, and customs modernization, Presidential Aide and Head of the Department for Economic Affairs and Innovative Development Policy of the Presidential Administration, Shahmar Movsumov, said at the ‘Customs-Business Forum 2025: Dialogue and Trust’ held in Baku, Azernews reports.

According to Movsumov, diversification remains one of the most important challenges facing the national economy, yet the progress achieved in recent years is already visible.

‘Between 2021 and 2024, the non-oil sector grew by an average of 6.7 percent annually, raising its share in the economy to 68 percent. Over the past six years, non-oil exports have nearly doubled, reflecting the country’s strengthened competitiveness. At the same time, thanks to public-private partnership mechanisms and ongoing reforms, the private sector’s share in the economy has reached 81.4 percent,’ he said.

Movsumov highlighted that Azerbaijan has signed free trade agreements with ten countries as part of efforts to expand economic integration and create broader export opportunities.

‘The removal of tariffs, along with the simplification and digitalization of customs procedures, accelerates export operations, reduces costs, and increases the competitiveness of the processing and non-oil sectors. These measures also help attract transit cargo and enhance the use of regional transport corridors in both the Europe-Asia and North-South directions. As a result, Azerbaijan is strengthening its role not only as an exporting nation but also as a transit-logistics hub and regional trade gateway,’ he noted.

The presidential aide also emphasized the new ‘Trusted Partner’ concept signed by President Ilham Aliyev, describing it as a significant step toward improving customs-business cooperation and aligning the country’s foreign economic activity with modern international trade supply chain requirements.

‘The concept aims to improve governance, facilitate trade, protect the interests of business entities, increase revenue opportunities, and modernize customs services. It introduces more flexible export mechanisms, supports the promotion of the ‘Made in Azerbaijan’ brand on global trading platforms, and positions national carriers as reliable partners for international companies,’ Movsumov said.

He added that the model applies to economic operators that fully comply with regulatory requirements and take advantage of state-granted opportunities.

‘This initiative strengthens business confidence and encourages the development of self-assessment systems. As part of the concept, trusted partners will be allowed to pay customs fees in installments, benefit from tailored support programs, receive professional training, and participate in awareness-raising activities. Its implementation will enhance the competitiveness of Azerbaijani businesses, expand export potential, and further consolidate Azerbaijan’s reputation as a reliable partner in the global supply chain,’ he stressed.

On December 8, a meeting was held between Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Supreme Chairman of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Azernews reports that Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who expressed his satisfaction with participating in the “Presentation of the Artificial Intelligence Index in the Islamic World” conference held in Baku, emphasised the importance of events on artificial intelligence and expanding cooperation in this field, and spoke about the importance of programs and projects implemented in the educational and social fields.

Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva, highlighted the importance of cooperation prospects between the two institutions.

Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum once again congratulated the Heydar Aliyev Foundation on being awarded the “Hamdan-ICESCO” award for educational and social support projects in the Islamic world and other countries.

Leyla Aliyeva noted that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has always attached importance to education and social spheres during its activity, and expressed her gratitude for the Foundation being awarded the “Hamdan-ICESCO” award.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on December 8, Azernews reports.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan and Iran share a long history of relations, and the centuries-long coexistence of the two peoples gives special significance to these ties. Expressing satisfaction with the recent intensification of bilateral relations, the head of state emphasized that the visit of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian to Azerbaijan, as well as reciprocal visits by other high-ranking officials, contribute to the further expansion of cooperation.

President Ilham Aliyev stated that the bilateral agenda is broad and covers numerous areas, adding that concrete roadmaps exist for all issues.

Highlighting the highly effective work of the intergovernmental commission, the head of state pointed to cooperation in economic, trade, transport, energy, and other fields.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the visit of the Iranian delegation would be successful and productive.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Seyed Abbas Araghchi first conveyed the greetings of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian to the head of state. He noted that the Iranian leader holds great respect for President Ilham Aliyev and for Azerbaijan. The Foreign Minister added that after being elected President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian instructed the government to further strengthen relations with Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for the greetings and asked that his own greetings be conveyed to Masoud Pezeshkian.

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in turn, emphasized the deep-rooted nature of Azerbaijan-Iran relations and stressed the importance of further deepening these ties.

During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in the Slovak Republic for an official visit on December 8.

A guard of honor was lined up for the President of Azerbaijan at Bratislava’s Milan Štefánik International Airport.

President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by Peter Vodráška, Chief of Staff of the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic, and other officials.

At the opening ceremony of the “OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025”, Tarig Ali Bakheet, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs and Special Envoy of the OIC Secretary General on Afghanistan, highlighted the significance of Azerbaijan’s role in hosting such a distinguished event, Azernews reports.

He emphasised that today, Baku is not only a political and cultural centre but also one of the capitals that unites the creative spirit of the Islamic world.

Tarig Ali Bakheet expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his unwavering support in strengthening Islamic solidarity, stressing that this firm and strategic approach will make a serious contribution to elevating cooperation within the Islamic world to a new stage.

He underlined that the festival brings participants together on an important platform, turning into a true embodiment of unity, dialogue, and cultural convergence. Tarig Ali Bakheet added that the support of the OIC Secretariat and all participants in deepening cultural ties has a significant impact on further strengthening mutual dialogue.

According to him, such events are not only a showcase of creativity and culture but also create a unified cultural platform that strategically strengthens the organisation and consolidates shared values. The formation of such a platform naturally serves closer coordination of future activities, mutual understanding, and cooperation.

Tarig Ali Bakheet outlined that creativity is not limited to art but is a fundamental quality directed toward human development.

Societies that support creativity, he said, primarily invest in the potential of their youth. Young people who embrace positive values and safeguard cultural and spiritual heritage become ambassadors of culture, building bridges between societies.

In this regard, Tarig Ali Bakheet stressed that the festival in Baku is not merely an event of today but the foundation of a shared vision of culture, creativity, and development for tomorrow.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini visited Devin Castle in Bratislava on December 8.

The President of Azerbaijan was provided with information about the ancient castle located at the confluence of the Morava and Danube rivers.

It was noted that Devin Castle, one of Slovakia’s symbols, is included in the list of the country’s national cultural monuments. The name Devin first appears in written sources in chronicles dating back to 864. The castle played an important role in the history of Great Moravia, which existed from 822 to 907. In the 13th century, Devin became a royal and border castle of the Hungarians. In 1809, Napoleon’s army mined and destroyed the castle. In 1896, a monument was erected here to symbolize the castle’s destruction. After World War I, the first caves were discovered in the mountain massif where the castle ruins are located. Archaeological research has been conducted in the area, with interruptions, for more than a century. For millennia, Devin Castle served as a settlement for ancient peoples and as a gathering place for merchants and warriors.

The World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25), held in Baku from 17-28 November, concluded with outstanding results, setting new records in participation and high-level representation.

As reported by Azernews, according to the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, a total of 2,572 participants registered for WTDC-25 – the highest number among all WTDC events in recent years. For comparison, WTDC-2017 gathered 1,360 in-person participants, while WTDC-2022 hosted 1,763.

The 2025 conference also stood out for attracting an unprecedented number of high-level guests. A total of 196 senior officials took part, significantly surpassing the figures from WTDC-2022 and underscoring the event’s growing international importance.

Baku’s role as host city received high praise for its organization, participant services, protocol arrangements, and media and communications support. The conference was widely lauded for its smooth logistics and the strong engagement of international partners.

One of the key achievements of WTDC-25 was the adoption of the Baku Action Plan – a comprehensive roadmap for global digital development covering the years 2026-2029. The plan outlines strategic priorities for human-centric and inclusive digital progress, with particular focus on developing nations and communities lacking access to essential digital services.

This commitment addresses a pressing global challenge: more than two billion people worldwide still lack internet access. The Baku Action Plan aims to help close this digital divide by promoting universal, affordable connectivity and ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy are shared across all societies.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini visited the Gate of Freedom Memorial in Bratislava on December 8.

First, the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Slovakia were played.

President Ilham Aliyev and President Peter Pellegrini laid wreaths at the memorial.

The memorial is dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives while trying to escape from the former Czechoslovakia between 1948 and 1989.

Speaking at the inauguration of the OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025 in Baku, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, said that his country, as a brotherly nation, took pride in Azerbaijan’s role as host of the landmark event, Azernews reports.

“Pakistan, as a brotherly country, is truly proud that Azerbaijan is hosting this important event. Today, Baku has become a cultural, creative, and intellectual meeting platform of the Islamic world, giving new impetus to our mutual cooperation,” he said.

He noted that Pakistan is always ready to actively participate in such initiatives that serve to strengthen Islamic solidarity and promote our common cultural values:

“We see this platform not merely as a festival, but as an important opportunity for cultural rapprochement, creative exchange, and strategic cooperation within the Islamic world. This event once again demonstrates that our shared history, cultural roots, and religious unity bind us together not only symbolically but in the spirit of genuine partnership. To ensure the continued strengthening of this unity, Pakistan wishes to emphasize its commitment to cooperation at all levels.”

Aurangzeb Khan Khichi added that Azerbaijan’s steps in the field of cultural diplomacy, as well as its contribution to cultural cooperation on both regional and global scales, were commendable, and that they believed this fruitful activity would continue and would serve to further strengthen the cultural identity of the Islamic world:

“Azerbaijan’s steps in the field of cultural diplomacy, as well as its contribution to cultural cooperation on both regional and global scales, are commendable. We believe that this fruitful activity will continue and will serve to further strengthen the cultural identity of the Islamic world,” he said.

Following the official opening ceremony of the OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week – 2025, a conceptual visual composition built around the words of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi – “Get out of the circle of time and enter the circle of love” has been presented to the audience, Azernews reports.

The illustrative section of the project was based on the works of artist Leyla Aliyeva. The visual concept was authored by Honoured Artist and founder of Atesh Hub, Sabina Shikhlinskaya, while the musical arrangement was prepared by Orkhan Aghayev, known as DJ Pancho.

The artistic program continued with the performance of the Azerbaijani national dance “Yayliq”, accompanied by musicians Ibrahim Babayev on the tar, Parviz Mammadov on the piano, and Vefadar Ramiz on percussion. Their live performance brought traditional rhythms and melodies to life, enriching the cultural atmosphere of the festival.

The final presentation of the evening was the composition “Shusha” by Azerbaijani composer Kubra Karimli.

This piece was performed by singer Aisel (Aysel Mammadova), accompanied by the soulful sound of the balaban played by Fagan Alasgarli, offering a powerful and emotional conclusion to the ceremony’s artistic program.