Category: Azer News

Namibian politician Adolf Hitler Uunona has retained his seat in his small northern constituency yet again despite his controversial name, Azernews reports via Euronews.

A local politician in Namibia who shares his name with Nazi Germany’s notorious leader has retained his seat for the fifth time in a row, after reportedly winning the Wednesday local elections in his constituency.

Adolf Hitler Uunona has represented Ompundja in the Oshana region since 2004 as a member of the South West Africa People’s Organisation, or SWAPO.

While Namibia’s Electoral Commission has yet to release the official vote count, Uunona won by a large margin, according to multiple reports.

The 59-year-old has been a popular figure in the small northern constituency of less than 5,000 residents despite his namesake’s legacy, winning the election with 85% of the vote in 2020.

As regional councilor, he has been lauded for his grassroots work and anti-apartheid efforts, domestic media reported.

In an interview with German newspaper Bild in 2020 – when he won his fourth mandate – Uunona said he had ‘nothing to do’ with Nazi ideology.

He also rejected any notion of world domination.

“It wasn’t until I was growing up that I realised: This man wanted to subjugate the whole world,” Uunona said. ‘I have nothing to do with any of these things.”

He explained that his father named him after the notorious Nazi leader responsible for the Holocaust. However, Uunona pointed out that ‘he probably did not understand’ what it meant.

“As a child I saw it as a totally normal name,” Uunona insisted. ‘It does not mean I have Adolf Hitler’s character or resemble that of Adolf Hitler of Germany,’ he told Namibian press in a separate interview.

He goes by the name Adolf Uunona in his daily life, but he maintains he has no plans to change it, as it is ‘too late for that’.

The centre-left SWAPO party originated in the Namibian liberation movement. It campaigns on anti-colonial politics, including the rejection of white-minority governance. In recent years, the party has shifted towards the centre and market-oriented policies.

Namibia was once a German colony and part of German South West Africa, and Germanic names like Adolf remain common.

Azerbaijan and Slovenia are in talks to sign an agreement that would allow the establishment of direct air connections between the two countries, Azernews reports.

According to ‘Ex-Yu Aviation News,’ Slovenian Minister of Economy, Tourism, and Sports Matyaj Han stated that direct flights would be a significant step toward expanding economic cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties.

Minister Han highlighted that relations between the two countries are developing positively and that in recent years, collaboration has increased actively, particularly in logistics, transport routes, energy, digitalization, and the pharmaceutical sector.

He also noted that there are currently no regular flights between Slovenia and Azerbaijan, but negotiations on the relevant agreement are ongoing. ‘Regular air connections will help reinforce economic relations between our countries,’ Han said.

In addition, tourist traffic remains relatively low. Between January and August 2025, only 553 Slovenian tourists visited Azerbaijan. In this context, the minister proposed that the tourism authorities of both countries explore closer cooperation, including organizing familiarization trips for journalists, influencers, and tour operators.

Azerbaijan and Georgia have agreed to establish a joint Working Group to define priority areas of cooperation in the agricultural sector.

Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Agriculture, that the agreement was reached during a meeting between Azerbaijan’s Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov and Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture David Songulashvili as part of Mammadov’s visit to Georgia.

The ministers discussed opportunities to increase the trade turnover of agricultural and food products, enhance the exchange of modern technologies, promote digitalisation across the sector, support the training of qualified personnel, and strengthen cooperation between business communities. Both sides also reviewed additional directions where future collaboration could be expanded.

David Songulashvili noted that Georgia is particularly interested in studying Azerbaijan’s experience in agricultural digitalisation, the smart village model, and greenhouse development, stressing that cooperation in these fields could contribute to mutual progress.

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to prepare a detailed action plan outlining the next steps based on the issues discussed.

Azerbaijan Table Tennis Cup has kicked off at Shua Sports Complex held in Baku, Azernews reports.

The tournament brought together athletes aged 14 and 18 from Baku, as well as from various cities and districts.

At the opening ceremony, Vice-President of Azerbaijan Table Tennis Federation Elmar Islam and Secretary General Konul Mikayilova hailed the achievements of the athletes at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games and congratulated the bronze medalists Adil Ahmadzade, Merziyya Nurmatova, Zemfira Mikayilova, and Aylin Asgarova. The Azerbaijan Cup was then officially declared open.

The four-day tournament will determine the winners and medalists in team, individual, doubles, and mixed doubles events. Successful athletes will be awarded diplomas, medals, and gifts.

The Azerbaijan Table Tennis Federation (ASTF) was established in the early 1950s, following the organization of a Baku section for table tennis. This came after a growing interest in the sport in the 1930s and 1940s.

Officially, ASTF has been a member of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) since 1995, and at the same time a member of the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU).

One of the main goals of ASTF is to organize and develop table tennis across the country: to build a stable and well-equipped national federation; to ensure proper material and technical support and training for the national teams; to promote the sport at grassroots level, including among youth; and to involve Azerbaijani athletes in national and international competitions.

Over the years, the Azerbaijan Table Tennis Federation has achieved significant successes. Under its guidance Azerbaijan began taking part in international competitions: the national team started participating in European championships in 1996 and in world championships since 1997.

ASTF regularly organizes national tournaments and championships across age groups.

The Azerbaijani players have also made progress: through participation in European and global competitions, winning medals and raising the profile of table tennis in Azerbaijan.

In recent years, ASTF remains active in promoting the sport, organizing age-group competitions, youth tournaments and national cups, continuously working toward discovering and nurturing promising new talents.

Azerbaijan and Jordan are exploring new opportunities to establish a joint pharmaceutical venture, signalling a strong step toward deeper economic cooperation.

Azernews reports that this was highlighted by Jordanian Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Al-Guda at the fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation between the two countries held in Baku.

“Jordan ranks first among Arab countries in terms of the development of the pharmaceutical sector. On the other hand, Azerbaijan is also trying to develop its pharmaceutical industry. We see great potential for partnership in this direction.

As we discussed during bilateral negotiations, cooperation can begin with the supply of incomplete pharmaceutical products and the establishment of a joint venture with the Azerbaijani side. The final stage of production will be carried out in Azerbaijan, after which it will be possible to export products not only to the local market, but also to regional markets,” the minister emphasised.

Y. Al-Guda expressed confidence that this cooperation model could deliver tangible outcomes within a short period, adding that it could also open new avenues for collaboration in other areas.

Azerbaijani Minister of Finance Sahil Babayev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s strong interest in advancing the country’s pharmaceutical capabilities.

“Today’s meeting will be very useful for all of us, and I suggest that both sides continue discussions today and tomorrow to assess the possibility of creating mutually beneficial cooperation mechanisms. I believe that such opportunities exist, and we need to identify them. Jordan is very strong in the pharmaceutical sector. The total value of pharmaceutical products exported by the country exceeds $1 billion. We are interested in establishing a pharmaceutical industry in Azerbaijan,” the minister said.

S. Babayev noted that Azerbaijan is already cooperating with several countries in this sector, and highlighted that the country’s industrial parks offer highly attractive incentives and a favourable environment for pharmaceutical investment.

“Another direction is agriculture. The import indicators of some products from certain countries to Jordan and Azerbaijan are significantly higher than the export volumes of these products from Jordan and Azerbaijan to these countries. That is, it is possible to create a platform where our exporters can establish cooperation and realize the existing potential,” the Azerbaijani co-chair of the intergovernmental commission added.

The 3rd International Scientific-Practical Conference on “Modern Sports Education: In Search of New Paradigms” has taken place at the Azerbaijan Sports Academy, Azernews reports.

The event was organised with the support of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation (AJF). It was dedicated to the 5th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s Victory in the 44-day Patriotic War and to the 95th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Sports Academy.

The event began with the performance of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan, followed by a one-minute silence in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the homeland.

Rector of the Azerbaijan Sports Academy Rauf Hajiyev stated that expectations for the international conference are high. He stressed that the outcomes of the conference will not be limited to academic discussions; the proposals put forward will form the foundation for a new stage of development in sports education.

Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Indira Hajiyeva noted that in the modern era, sports increasingly influence education, medicine, psychology, technology, and even the economy.

Executive Vice-President of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, Rashad Rasullu, pointed out that the federation has closely collaborated with the academy over the past four years. He emphasised that this cooperation has yielded positive results both in scientific research and in the field of sports.

Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the Azerbaijan Sports Academy, Ulkar Babayeva, stressed that leveraging international experience and creating broader opportunities for youth are among the academy’s main goals.

During the two-day conference, presentations will focus on promoting mass participation in sports and a healthy lifestyle, improving athletes’ training systems, and organising sports activities.

The main objective of the conference is to analyse the current state of professional education in sports, identify existing challenges, and discuss development prospects based on international experience.

Presidency Communications Director Burhanettin Duran highlighted Turkiye’s active role during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, stating, ‘Throughout the G20 program, Turkiye demonstrated a strong commitment to both regional peace and global economic stability. The summit engagements produced extremely valuable outcomes in terms of deepening cooperation and strengthening international solidarity.’

Duran shared his remarks on social media regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s participation at the summit, noting that the meetings were highly productive under Erdogan’s leadership. He emphasised that the President clearly conveyed Turkiye’s perspectives and proposals during the summit sessions and the post-summit press conferences.

The Communications Director also underlined the significance of Erdogan’s numerous bilateral meetings with state and government leaders, which focused on cooperation opportunities in critical sectors such as defence, trade, energy, technology, and aviation. ‘Turkiye’s expanding diplomatic network on a global scale was once again evident during these discussions,’ Duran said, adding that Erdogan drew attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasising Turkiye’s stance and calling for more effective international action.

Regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Duran noted that Turkiye’s constructive approach to promoting peace and regional and global security once again stood out. He continued: ‘Our President stressed the need for a more inclusive global economic order to counter growing inequalities, highlighting that G20 nations must take greater responsibility and that sustainable, balanced economic structures can only be achieved through joint efforts. Throughout the G20 program, Turkiye demonstrated a strong commitment to regional peace and global economic stability. The summit engagements yielded highly valuable results in terms of deepening partnerships and reinforcing international solidarity.’

Duran also recalled Erdogan’s announcement that Turkiye will host and preside over the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in November next year. He described the intensive diplomatic traffic, numerous negotiations, and climate-focused engagements over the past months as a clear demonstration of Turkiye’s growing international influence, noting, ‘This process stands as a tangible success in Turkiye’s determined climate diplomacy.’

Highlighting Turkiye’s proactive role in climate action, Duran emphasised, ‘President Erdogan’s 2053 Net Zero Emissions Target demonstrates that Turkiye embraces a development model that considers both today and the future. The green transformation, prioritized across sectors from energy and transportation to urban planning and production, lays a strong foundation for leadership in the COP31 process. Under First Lady Emine Erdogan’s patronage, the Zero Waste Movement has grown into a global environmental initiative, representing one of the most inspiring success stories for a more sustainable world. Reducing waste, using resources efficiently, and promoting a nature-respecting lifestyle are goals that align perfectly with the spirit of COP31. We believe that this historic gathering in Turkiye will place the heart of climate diplomacy in Anatolia, with global solutions resonating from our country. We extend our gratitude to all contributors and wish the event every success.’

Associate Professor Elmira Jafarova, Leading Researcher at the Department of History and Theory of Archaeological Heritage of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, has participated in the 2nd International Symposium on “Current Issues in the Study and Preservation of the Tangible and Cultural Heritage of the Silk Road”, Azernews reports.

The event was organised by the Silk Road International Research Institute in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

According to the institute, the event featured presentations by renowned archaeologists, architects, restorers, and museum specialists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, China, the USA, Scotland, the UK, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Mongolia, Russia, and other countries.

It should be noted that the ‘Silk Road’ International Research Institute was established in 2021 under the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage.

Following the official opening of the symposium, presentations were delivered in the following sections: “Archaeology and Early Civilizations of the Silk Road,” “Objects of the Tangible Cultural Heritage of the Silk Road: Research, Restoration, Museumification, and Popularization,” and “Decorative-Applied and Fine Arts, Innovative Technologies in the Development of the Tourism Industry of Silk Road Countries.”

At the symposium, Associate Professor Elmira Jafarova presented a report on “The Silk Road as an Urbanisation Factor in Medieval Azerbaijani Cities.” She also served as the moderator for the first section, “Archaeology and Early Civilisations of the Silk Road.”

Within the framework of the event, roundtables and master classes were organised for participants, doctoral students, and students.

At the closing ceremony of the symposium, participants were awarded certificates and gifts.

EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela said the Zangazur Corridor could seamlessly complement existing transport routes in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, emphasizing its potential importance for regional trade, Azernews reports.

Speaking to Gazeta.uz, Sikela noted:

“The EU always viewed the Trans-Caspian route as a network, not a single line. In that context, the Zangazur Corridor can complement existing connections if developed transparently and cooperatively.

Its potential lies in offering an additional transit option, reducing congestion on current routes, and improving the overall resilience of regional trade. For Central Asia, more routing options mean more stability and more competitive access to global markets.”

He also stressed the need for deeper technological reforms:

“Digitalisation is essential if the Trans-Caspian route is to become a competitive alternative to existing corridors. Central Asian governments see this as a priority and the EU fully supports this aim. Through programmes like Ready4Trade, we are helping countries move from paper-based procedures to digital, predictable systems. We have already mapped existing digital tools, identified gaps, and agreed with governments on the reforms that will bring the greatest impact. The next step is rolling out concrete solutions such as electronic certificates, risk-management tools, and interoperable customs systems. In short, yes – further digitalisation is planned, and it is one of the quickest ways to reduce delays, lower costs, and strengthen the corridor’s reliability.”

Commenting on the broader Middle Corridor, Sikela said progress has been accelerating:

“The development of the Trans-Caspian Corridor has accelerated significantly over the past years. We now see a clear political commitment from all countries along the route, and we see real investment starting to flow – especially in ports, roads, digitalization, and logistics. To put it simply: the building blocks are in place. The political will is there. Investment is starting. And if we maintain this momentum, the Trans-Caspian Corridor can become a strategic alternative routing goods between Europe and Asia in around 15 days.”

President Ilham Aliyev previously stated that the Zangazur Corridor may be launched by the end of 2028, adding that its annual capacity will reach 15 million tons of cargo.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, took part in the panel on the Comprehensive Coordination Agenda for Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Black Sea region at the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor Forum held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

According to information, Minister Nabiyev noted during his speech that major corridor projects often face challenges such as differing border standards, insufficient digitalisation, and infrastructure gaps.

He emphasised that Azerbaijan’s strategic location, political stability, and economic diversification make the country a reliable and attractive investment destination.

Minister Nabiyev also highlighted that the Zangazur corridor will provide sustainable, fast, and cost-effective connectivity between Europe and Central Asia, while the Middle Corridor is being developed as a sustainable and efficient regional model.