Category: Azer News

After it was announced that Eskisehir hosts the world’s second-largest rare earth element (REE) reserve after China, all eyes have turned to Malatya.

Mehmet Yunus Glmez, the Malatya Provincial Representative of the Chamber of Geological Engineers, revealed that significant REE reserves have been identified in the Kuluncak district.

Rare earth elements, which are crucial for a wide range of sectors-from battery production and smartphones to energy and defense industries-have increasingly attracted global attention. While exploratory work continues in Eskisehir, similar studies are being conducted in Kuluncak, Malatya.

Glmez stated, ‘Rare earth elements have recently become a major topic both nationally and internationally. Official statements indicate that the world’s second-largest REE reserve is located in Eskisehir. In addition, research conducted in Kuluncak, Malatya, has revealed the presence of a significant reserve. No official figures have yet been released, but the findings so far indicate a substantial deposit. These studies have been carried out under the Ministry of Energy by the General Directorate of Mining and Exploration (MTA).’

He added that fieldwork in the Kuluncak region began in 2020. ‘Activities have continued under the Turkiye Energy, Nuclear and Mining Research Institution, established by Presidential Decree. Field studies were conducted in 2020, 2021, and 2022, with collected samples undergoing detailed analysis. A new round of fieldwork will soon commence in the area,’ Glmez said.

Addressing concerns about the REE processing facility being located outside Malatya, Glmez noted, ‘When we first reported on this issue, my sole objective was to raise public awareness and ensure that the facility would be established within Malatya. We expected bureaucrats and politicians to take steps accordingly. However, current reports suggest that the plant may not be built within Malatya’s borders. These studies will resume. Kuluncak is rich in underground resources, but operating rare earth elements is a complex and somewhat risky process. Our technological capabilities are limited, which is why the first pilot facility was established in Eskisehir. International agreements at the ministerial level are in place regarding this project.’

The focus now remains on Kuluncak, as Turkiye seeks to balance the exploitation of its rare earth resources with technical feasibility, environmental considerations, and regional development interests.

Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed a series of important documents aimed at strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, Azernews reports.

The documents were signed following the 4th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan held in Baku.

The Protocol summarizing the results of the 4th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, along with the Executive Cooperation Program for 2025-2027 covering science and education, culture and art, youth and sports, archaeology, healthcare and media, was signed by the Commission Co-Chairs Sahil Babayev and Yarub Al-Guda.

Several other key documents were also formalized. These include the Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in the Field of Customs between the two governments, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Tourism between the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Tourism and Historical Monuments of Jordan, the Implementation Program on Tourism Cooperation, and a Memorandum of Understanding between SMEDA and JEDCO to enhance partnership in the SME sector. Each document was signed by the authorized representatives of the relevant institutions.

After the signing ceremony, the co-chairs addressed questions from media representatives. Highlighting the Intergovernmental Commission as the main platform for economic cooperation, they emphasized that the fourth meeting allowed the sides to agree on concrete directions in trade, investment, industry, energy, transport, education, culture and other fields. They underlined that the progress achieved so far reflects the strategic nature of bilateral relations and reinforces the need to expand cooperation further

Advances, innovations, discoveries and breakthroughs in the field of medicine, no matter which nation, state or institution they originate from, are the shared heritage, collective gain and common joy of humanity.

President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, speaking at the 11th Turkish Medical World Congress and TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Science, Service and Incentive Awards Ceremony held at the Bestepe National Congress and Culture Centre in Ankara.

Erdogan noted that this age-old principle has increasingly lost ground in today’s profit-oriented global order, adding:

‘A world where every sick person cannot access treatment, where medical developments that become final products are not offered equally to all, cannot be considered fair, equal or livable. Just as human life cannot be exploited and human dignity cannot be commercialised, neither health nor illness can be exploited or treated as a market commodity. A human being’s body and soul, health and illness, cannot be used purely for commercial purposes nor as tools of domination. We must openly discuss this, take risks, lead this transformation, and struggle for it.’

‘A world that remained silent on Gaza’s hospitals cannot easily transform into a just one,’ the Turkish President added, also, criticising the international community’s silence on Israel’s attacks on Gaza:

‘For two full years, the world watched hospitals in Gaza being bombed and patients, healthcare workers, children and even innocent babies in incubators being killed. Transitioning from such a world to a just and humane one will not be easy. But the day humanity collectively rejoices in saving a single life, the day we see every newborn baby’s health as our own joy, believe me, the world will become a paradise. That is what we are working for; you, too, are striving for the same goal.’

Highlighting the country’s resilience during the pandemic, Erdogan said:

‘The strength, capabilities and shock resistance of the Turkish health system were clearly demonstrated during COVID-19. Yet we are not satisfied with what we have. Over the last 23 years, every step we took in healthcare was made in consultation with our scientists. With God’s will, we will achieve much more together.’

He added that despite major achievements, Trkiye’s targets have not yet been fully reached:

‘Being in the top league in terms of medical infrastructure is not enough. Being one of the most admired countries in equal access to healthcare is not enough. Providing free state-funded healthcare is not enough. Training physicians above global standards is not enough. We must also become one of the world’s leading countries in scientific research-especially in medicine and pharmaceuticals. We must advance further in R and D and take new steps in the production of medical devices.’

Erdogan emphasised the need for a comprehensive national strategy in the field of health technologies:

‘Despite all my personal efforts, I know we are still far from our targets. As in the defence industry, we face internal and external obstacles. But just as Trkiye overcame challenges in the defence sector, it will, God willing, overcome them in domestic drug and medical device production as well. By working, producing and persevering in the face of difficulties, we will elevate Trkiye to an entirely new level.’

Stating that Trkiye’s people-centred approach has transformed its healthcare system, Erdogan noted:

‘Over the past 23 years, we have built a widespread, high-quality and accessible healthcare system. Today, with more than 1.47 million healthcare workers, we provide first-class healthcare services to our 86 million citizens. Since 2002, we have increased the number of personnel by 288 per cent.’

Erdogan added that 80% of public hospitals have been renewed or rebuilt, and that 25 city hospitals are currently in service, with 13 more under construction.

‘Thanks to our strong healthcare infrastructure, Trkiye now offers high-level medical services globally, not only to neighbouring countries, but to Europe and beyond. We have implemented countless projects, investments and reforms that would take hours, even days, to list.’

President Erdogan received the World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe Award, presented by WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Kluge, in recognition of Trkiye’s extraordinary humanitarian efforts for the Palestinian people and its leadership in medical evacuations from Gaza.

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

Azernews reports that the former IDP families relocating to the village of Horovlu in the Jabrayil district had previously been temporarily settled in various parts of the country, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

At this stage, 38 families (139 people) have been resettled in the village of Horovlu.

The returning residents 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, whose heroic soldiers and officers liberated the homeland, and paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in this cause.

The play “Khurshidbanu Natavan” has been showcased at the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater in honor of the 80th anniversary of the prominent artist and People’s Artist Amaliya Panahova, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli addressed the event. In his remarks, the minister noted Amaliya Panahova’s invaluable role in Azerbaijani culture. He underlined that, along with making significant contributions to national theater and cinema, Amaliya Panakhova was also a theater organizer and educator.

Her art was always highly appreciated by National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the First Lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva. Like the entire cultural sphere, the great actress’s work was consistently supported by the state.

The Chairman of the Azerbaijan Theater Workers Union, People’s Artist Haji Ismayilov; Honored Art Worker, Professor Maryam Alizade; and Chief Director of the Baku Municipal Theater, People’s Artist Merahim Farzalibayov shared their memories of the great artist and spoke about her successful artistic career and the roles she created.

Afterwards, the play “Khurshidbanu Natavan,” in which Amaliya Panahova once performed and which has enjoyed a long stage life, was presented. The play, based on the work of People’s Writer Ilyas Afandiyev, is directed by People’s Artist Azer Pasha Nematov, with stage design by Honored Cultural Worker Ilham Elkhanoglu and music by People’s Artist Siyavush Karimi.

The cast includes People’s Artists Maleyka Asadova (Khurshidbanu Natavan), Kazim Abdullayev (Janishin), Honored Artist Anar Heybatov ( Knyaz Khasay), Honored Artist Elshan Jabrayilov (Seyid Huseyin), actor Elchin Afandi (Hidayat Khan), People’s Artist Rafiq Azimov (Mirza Ruhullah), Honored Artist Elnar Garayev (Mamayi), actor Vusal Mustafayev (Zahir Bay), People’s Artist Haji Ismayilov (Old Knyaz), actors Ramin Shikhaliyev (Dashdamir), Lala Suleymanova (Bayim), Honored Artist Mirza Aghabayli (blind kamancha player), Honored Artist Kazim Hasanquliyev (Malikul-Dovla), actors Javidan Novruz (Navvab), Mahsati Tahirzade (Tahmina), Rustam Rustamov (Shahmar), Honored Artists Elvida Jafarov (Mohnat), Ayshad Mammadov (Fortress Chief), Elshan Rustamov (Shahzade), and actor Tural Ibrahimov (Mikhaylov), as well as Firuza Balayeva, Elsever Rahimov, Elchin Nuraliev, and Nazrin Abdullayeva (ensemble scenes).

Alphabet Inc.’s Google is seeking to expand its presence in the artificial intelligence (AI) chip market by encouraging major clients to install its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) directly in their own data centers, according to a report by The Information, citing sources familiar with the discussions, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

The report states that Google has approached Meta Platforms Inc. and several financial institutions about extending TPU usage beyond Google Cloud services to include hardware integration at client facilities. The move is seen as a way to broaden adoption of Google’s AI chips and reduce reliance on Nvidia Corp., which currently dominates the market.

This initiative aligns with Google’s intensified AI strategy, which includes announcing a cloud partnership with NATO on Monday and unveiling Gemini 3, its latest AI model, last week.

Analysts suggest that offering TPUs for on-premises integration could reshape the AI hardware landscape, giving enterprises more control over processing power while fostering competition with Nvidia. Some even speculate that this could accelerate the adoption of AI in industries like finance, healthcare, and defense, where large-scale computation and data privacy are critical.

Google’s push reflects a broader trend in the AI sector: companies are increasingly seeking specialized hardware to optimize performance, rather than relying solely on cloud-based solutions, signaling a new phase of AI infrastructure evolution.

Azerbaijani stand has been successfully presented by LuxAz Azerbaijan-Luxembourg Friendship Association at the Luxembourg International Bazaar, Azernews reports.

The stand, presented with the support of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Belgium, attracted considerable attention from visitors.

Azerbaijan has been a regular participant at this prestigious charity fair for 15 years, significantly contributing to the promotion of our country’s cultural heritage, cuisine, and national values.

The event, which saw nearly 40,000 visitors and featured 63 stands, was also attended by Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xavier Bettel, who visited the Azerbaijan stand. During his visit, Azerbaijani products were showcased, and he was provided with detailed information about our culture and the activities of the Azerbaijani diaspora.

One of the notable achievements this year was the election of Seymur Ahmadov, the head of the Azerbaijan stand, to the Executive Committee of the International Bazaar’s Organising Committee. This marked the first time Azerbaijan had been represented at such an organisational level, strengthening the country’s presence compared to previous years.

In addition to government support, the successful organisation of the Azerbaijan stand was made possible through the contributions of companies such as Silkway Cargo, Savalan, Ravira, AzGranta, Zira Naturals and Azersun Holding.

Azercell makes the ‘Women Helpline Service’ even more accessible

On 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and within the framework of the UN’s Orange Day initiative, Azercell introduces the ‘Offline Women’ social project. Implemented in partnership with the ‘Ümidli G?l?c?k’ Public Union, the initiative aims to raise public awareness about gender-based violence and provide timely support to women facing difficult situations.

Many women experiencing violence often lack sufficient information about available support resources and reporting channels. The newly launched platform, oflaynqadinlar.az, offers structured, step-by-step guidance on the actions to take in situations involving psychological, economic, or other forms of violence, in accordance with the legislation of Azerbaijan.

The platform enables women to access reliable information about their rights, explore initial psychological and social support options through video tutorials, take psychological self-assessment tests, and review detailed information about organizations ready to provide assistance.

Designed with strict anonymity and safety principles in mind, the website can be accessed by Azercell subscribers without consuming mobile data or account balance.

For women requiring individual support, the Women Helpline Service can be reached 24/7 at the short number 116111. Operating since 2022 with the support and initiative of Azercell, the service has assisted over 11,000 women to date. Managed by the public union ‘Ümidli G?l?c?k,’ the Helpline provides prompt and comprehensive psychosocial support, facilitating women’s rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The service collaborates closely with community-based legal clinics, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. Calls to the short number are free of charge for Azercell subscribers.

Expanding the social support ecosystem for women remains one of the key priorities in Azercell’s corporate social responsibility strategy. The ‘Offline Women’ project further strengthens the company’s efforts in this direction, aiming to empower women across the country and support positive change in their lives.

bp aims to improve the accuracy of 4D seismic data at the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field through upgraded processing techniques and more efficient data-gathering schemes.

As reported by Azernews, bp’s Chief Geophysicist Teymur Ibrahimzade made the announcement at the SPE 2025 Caspian Technical Conference held in Baku.

He noted that drilling more than 10 wells annually at ACG generates a large volume of dynamic information, increasing the need for more precise monitoring of subsurface changes.

The bp geophysicist emphasized that even a one-year interval between monitoring surveys can reveal changes in reservoir saturation and pressure, as well as other important indicators necessary for effective risk management.

Ibrahimzade added that bp continues to refine both its data acquisition and processing workflows, including the selection of optimal migration algorithms and adjustments to source configurations.

‘Even a one-year difference between monitoring surveys enables us to record saturation or pressure changes, and the new processing methods will allow us to observe reservoir processes with greater accuracy,’ he said.

The ACG field is operated by BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Limited on behalf of the participants of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

The current distribution of shares in ACG is as follows: bp (30.37%), SOCAR (31.65%), MOL (9.57%), INPEX (9.31%), ExxonMobil (6.79%), TPAO (5.73%), ITOCHU (3.65%), and ONGC Videsh (2.92%).

Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum has hosted the presentation of the project “The New Story of Kelaghayi”, Azernews reports.

The event dedicated to the 11th anniversary of the inclusion of the Azerbaijani kelaghayi in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was opened by Amina Melikova, the Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and Honoured Worker of Culture.

In her opening speech, she said that kelaghayi is not merely a nice woman’s accessory or a decorative and applied art sample; this is also an expression of the deep philosophy of the nation and a defender of the memory that is passed down through generations.

She also underlined that the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum consistently works on the preservation and promotion of this heritage among future generations. Honoured Worker of Culture, PhD in Art History, Professor, Kubra Aliyeva, talked about the kelaghayi art – the ancient attribute of the national women’s costume. She underlined that the kelaghayi art remains a subject of study across many disciplines. The Chair of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Bahar Muradova, said that kelaghayi is a precious accessory that emphasises the tenderness and the best qualities of the Azerbaijani women. She also added that Gulnara Khalilova is an artist who has studied the art of kelaghayi from both scientific and theoretical perspectives, and has managed to bridge the gap between its past and future.

Designer Gulnara Khalilova, Head of the Azerbaijani National Clothing Centre, member of the Eurasian Ethnodesigners Association, PhD in Art Studies, and founder of the CIZGI brand, said in her speech that she tried to demonstrate the connection of kelaghayi with women’s destiny, cultural memory, and national identity through blending the spiritual power of kelaghayi and contemporary fashion in her new collection.

Within the framework of the project, the Magic of Silk clothing collection by Gulnara Khalilova was showcased. The new collection that reveals the brightest and most poetic shades of silk, by blending the profound meanings of kelaghayi with the delicate aesthetics of contemporary fashion, caused great interest.

The event also included an exhibition showcasing historical and modern kelaghayis selected from the collection of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, as well as contemporary clothing from Gulnara Khalilova’s Silk Treasure collection. The museum specialists conducted a masterclass on kelaghayi-making.

The artistic part of the event included the Kelaghayi dance performed by members of the Children and Youth Development Centre No. 3 acting under the Baku Education Agency.

The presentation, which harmoniously brings together the centuries-old spirit of the kelaghayi with today’s creative energy, aesthetic vision, and way of thinking, demonstrates once again that this ancient heritage is not merely a cultural legacy of the past but an ever-evolving artistic language gaining new meaning.

The project took place with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and through the collaboration of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum and the Gulnara Khalilova Fashion House.