Category: Azer News

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev shared a post on his social media accounts on the occasion of the anniversary of Kalbajar’s liberation from occupation, Azernews reports.

The post reads: ‘Our Victory History: November 25, 2020 – Kalbajar.’

The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, who is accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other grave offenses under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, continued on November 25 at the Baku Military Court, Azernews reports.

The open hearing was chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge Gunel Samedova) participating. The accused was provided with an interpreter in Russian – the language he understands – as well as a state-appointed defense lawyer.

At the start of the session, Judge Agayev introduced the court staff, state prosecutors, and interpreters to the victims and their legal heirs attending for the first time, explaining their rights and obligations under the law. The court then proceeded to hear victim testimonies.

Victim Samir Mammadov stated that he sustained a head injury after a mortar shell fired by Armenian forces exploded in Lachin, noting during questioning that Tural Isgandarov was also wounded in the incident.

Victim Ruslan Abbasov testified that he was injured as a result of enemy fire in Kalbajar, where two additional individuals were wounded.

Vugar Huseynov also confirmed he was injured by Armenian fire in Kalbajar.

Victim Togrul Aliyev said he received a shrapnel wound in Agdam from fire opened by remnants of the Armenian army and illegal Armenian armed groups. His companions, Nazim Agayev and Murad Aliyev, were similarly injured.

Victim Samir Ibrahimov stated that he was injured in Khojaly due to fire from Armenian armed remnants.

Bayram Agjayev also reported an injury sustained in Kalbajar.

Rashad Guliyev testified that he was wounded by artillery shelling in Kalbajar.

Another victim, Kamal Abdullayev, told the court he was injured by sniper fire in Agdam from Armenian armed remnants, while Orkhan Musayev said he suffered an injury to his left eye under similar circumstances, noting that Bahruz Rzayev and Nizami Jabbarov were also hurt.

Victim Dilgam Hasanov testified that he was injured by artillery fire in Kalbajar, while Samir Khalilov stated he was wounded by rocket fire in Agdere. He noted that Ulvi Mikayilov was killed during that attack.

The hearing then continued with the examination of documents and other materials contained in the criminal case file. The next court session is scheduled for December 1.

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

”Your Excellency,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

It is with great pleasure that I extend to Your Excellency my heartfelt congratulations on the joyous occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Over the past three decades, our two nations have nurtured a warm and enduring friendship, built on mutual respect, understanding, and shared values. I am confident that this close bond will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.

I also look forward to our two countries working together to explore new opportunities for cooperation, especially through our engagement in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement. Our joint efforts in these important forums reflect our shared commitment to fostering peace, harmony, and sustainable development for the benefit of our peoples and the wider global community.

As we celebrate this meaningful milestone, I pray that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala blesses Your Excellency with continued good health, happiness and wisdom, and grants the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan lasting peace, progress, and prosperity.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,” the letter reads.

A magnificent concert celebrating the 90th anniversary of the eminent Azerbaijani composer Vasif Adigozalov has taken place at the State Academic Philharmonic Hall, Azernews reports.

The event was a truly unforgettable musical experience for the spectators.

Director of the National Museum of Azerbaijani Literature, Rafael Huseynov, took the stage to reflect on the impact of Vasif Adigozalov’s work, noting his great role in shaping Azerbaijani music and promoting national and spiritual values through his compositions.

Conducted by Yalchin Adigozalov, the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra mesmerised the audience with Vasif Adigozalov’s monumental works: his Symphony No. 3 and the epic oratorio “Odlar Yurdu”.

The oratorio performance was brought to life by the Azerbaijan State Choir Chapel, led by artistic director Gulbaji Imanova, with standout solo performances from Selhan Fermor-Hesketh (soprano), Mahir Taghizade (baritone), and the powerful recitations of Elshan Rustamov.

Vasif Adigozalov was born on July 28, 1935, in Baku. He began his musical journey with early training in piano at a specialised music school. In 1953, he entered the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, where he studied composition, graduating in 1958, followed by a degree in piano in 1959.

During his student years, Vasif Adigozalov composed his first pieces, which were showcased at the first Congress of Composers of Azerbaijan in 1956. Between 1957 and 1959, he worked as the chief editor for the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Azerbaijan.

From 1959 to 1960, he taught at the Baku Music College named after Asaf Zeynally, and later became the chief music editor at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic from 1960 to 1961.

From 1962 to 1968, Vasif Adigozalov served as the responsible secretary of the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan, and between 1968 and 1978, he was the artistic director of the Azerbaijan State Song and Dance Ensemble. He also led the Baku Music College as its director from 1972 to 1983.

In 1972, Vasif Adigozalov began a long-standing association with the Baku Music Academy. As a teacher, associate professor, and later professor, he made significant contributions to the development of young musicians. From 1990 onward, he served as the first secretary of the Azerbaijan Composers’ Union.

A key figure in Azerbaijani music, Vasif Adigozalov’s compositions reflect the cultural and artistic pulse of his time. His work is recognised for blending contemporary styles with Azerbaijani musical traditions, especially the deep-rooted art of mugham.

His compositions span various genres, including symphonies, symphonic poems, concertos, oratorios, operas, and musical comedies, all of which earned him widespread acclaim. His pieces also contributed significantly to Azerbaijani film and theatre music.

Vasif Adigozalov played an instrumental role in the advancement of Azerbaijan’s composer’s school. He was deeply committed to the training of professional musicians and to the activities of the Union of Composers of Azerbaijan. Known for his intellectual integrity, he consistently demonstrated a strong sense of civic responsibility in regard to the events shaping society.

His contributions to Azerbaijani music and culture have been highly praised. He was honored with many prestigious awards, including the “Glory” Order in 1995 and the “Istiglal” Order in 2005.

Vasif Adigozalov passed away on September 15, 2006, and was laid to rest in the Alley of Honor.

As Azerbaijan accelerates efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons, a new World Bank report offers timely insights that closely align with the country’s strategic direction. The report, ‘Waves of Change: Igniting Productivity Growth in Europe and Central Asia,’ argues that the region’s economic slowdown since the 2008 financial crisis stems largely from stagnating productivity, a point that resonates strongly with Azerbaijan’s current development trajectory.

The World Bank notes that although many countries in Europe and Central Asia have continued to invest capital and expand their labor force, overall efficiency has declined. Productivity growth in the region has halved since the financial crisis, limiting the impact of investment flows. According to the report, even a 10 percent improvement in productivity could generate nearly 2 million new jobs, underscoring the direct connection between productivity, employment, and living standards. Had the region maintained its pre-crisis pace of productivity growth, its GDP today could be 62 percent higher. These findings highlight why improving efficiency, rather than expanding resources, is now central to sustainable economic development.

For Azerbaijan, the message is particularly relevant. The country has, in recent years, deepened its cooperation with the World Bank across a broad spectrum of sectors, including digital governance, education, agriculture, water management, transport, and green energy. These projects support Azerbaijan’s key long-term priorities, such as strengthening the non-oil sector, boosting human capital, expanding renewable energy, and promoting balanced regional development. In essence, the World Bank’s reform recommendations mirror the strategy that Baku has already set in motion.

At the core of the report is the TIDES model, which outlines targeted reforms in trade, investment, digitalization, efficiency, and skills. Although developed for a wide regional context, the model fits Azerbaijan’s circumstances almost exactly. In trade, Azerbaijan still has substantial untapped potential in non-oil exports, which could be unlocked through streamlined customs procedures, improved logistics, and alignment with international standards. In investment, the country has made progress in attracting foreign capital, yet further liberalization and predictable regulatory conditions would help channel investment into high-value sectors and deepen technological transfer.

Digital transformation, one of Azerbaijan’s strongest recent achievements, remains another pillar of the TIDES framework. Initiatives such as ASAN Service, myGov, and DOST have already demonstrated how digital governance can reduce costs and increase transparency. However, the next stage will require strengthening cybersecurity, expanding digital infrastructure across regions, and supporting the growth of the local startup ecosystem. These steps would not only modernize public administration but also enhance the competitiveness of the private sector.

Efficiency remains a critical area where Azerbaijan can significantly benefit. State-owned enterprises, energy systems, and agricultural production still face structural inefficiencies that limit output. Modern corporate governance standards, improved energy efficiency programs, and innovation incentives for SMEs could substantially increase productivity and reduce fiscal burdens. This is especially important in sectors where Azerbaijan aims to achieve export diversification.

Finally, the report emphasizes the importance of human capital, an area where Azerbaijan has already launched several reforms, particularly in education, vocational training, and youth employment. Strengthening the link between universities and industry, expanding technical and digital training and improving access to employment for women and young people will be crucial for building a workforce equipped for a modern economy.

The report also highlights an issue of particular importance for Azerbaijan, the prevalence of ‘missing trade’ in the region. According to World Bank data, informal or unrecorded trade flows remain high across Europe and Central Asia, with some countries showing gaps that exceed half of their official trade volumes. Azerbaijan is included among the higher-risk group with an estimated rate of 58 percent. This places the country alongside several Central Asian economies, including Uzbekistan at 59 percent, Kyrgyzstan at 63 percent, and Tajikistan at 64 percent. The World Bank links these figures to a combination of strict trade regulations, informal customs practices, incomplete statistical reporting, and a notable share of intra-regional unregistered trade.

In Azerbaijan, enhanced customs digitalization, simplified procedures, and greater transparency in trade flows could help reduce these discrepancies and improve the accuracy of non-oil trade data.

Overall, the TIDES model offers a coherent framework that aligns closely with Azerbaijan’s own goals. The country already possesses several strategic advantages, including a strong digital governance base, substantial energy revenues that can be redirected into reforms, a favorable geographic position, and a non-oil sector with significant growth potential. Implementing productivity-centered reforms in line with the World Bank’s recommendations could therefore enable Azerbaijan to accelerate its transition to a more diversified, knowledge-based and resilient economy.

TABIB provided information about the condition of the people injured in the explosion that occurred in a five-storey residential building on A. Rajabli Street in Baku’s Narimanov District on November 24, Azernews reports.

According to the agency, one man sustained thermal burns, while four others – one man and three women – were diagnosed with multiple traumatic injuries affecting various parts of the body.

After receiving necessary medical assistance, four of the injured individuals were discharged for outpatient treatment.

One person has been referred to a specialised medical facility for further care.

It should be noted that the explosion occurred yesterday at a commercial facility on Ahmad Rajabli Street.

United States President Donald Trump cautioned against believing in any significant progress on the peace talks regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict for now, but stressed that “something good just may be happening”, Azernews reports.

“Is it really possible that big progress is being made in the Pecae Talks between Russia and Ukraine??? Don’t believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening,” he wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday.

Yesterday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the “tremendous amount of progress” and “probably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far” regarding Ukraine peace efforts, but added that there was “still some work to be done” before a final agreement could be put to Russia.

Armenia will not participate in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit scheduled to take place in Bishkek on November 27, Azernews reports via TASS Agency.

The announcement was made by Yuri Ushakov, assistant to the President of Russia. Ushakov noted that although Armenia will not attend the summit, the country does not object to the adoption of documents previously agreed upon within the CSTO framework.

He also added that Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a traditional press briefing following the visit.

The summit is expected to be attended by the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, as well as the current chairman of the CSTO Collective Security Council, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov.

Tensions between Armenia and the CSTO have escalated over the past two years. In early 2023, Yerevan refused to host CSTO military exercises. In February 2024, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Armenia was ‘freezing’ its participation in the organization, arguing that the CSTO failed to meet its security obligations to Armenia in 2021 and 2022.

In May 2024, Armenia halted funding for CSTO programs. Although the organization confirmed it was aware of the decision, it maintained that Armenia remains a CSTO member.

In June, Pashinyan publicly declared Armenia’s intention to withdraw from the CSTO, stating, ‘There will be no turning back.’

Armenia has intensified its political and security ties with the United States, signing a strategic partnership charter earlier this year and launching discussions on nuclear energy cooperation.

Relations between Yerevan and the Russian-led bloc have deteriorated significantly, with Armenia accusing the CSTO of failing to respond during the period when Russian peacekeepers were stationed in Garabagh and adjacent regions.

As Azerbaijan accelerates efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons, a new World Bank report offers timely insights that closely align with the country’s strategic direction. The report, ‘Waves of Change: Igniting Productivity Growth in Europe and Central Asia,’ argues that the region’s economic slowdown since the 2008 financial crisis stems largely from stagnating productivity, a point that resonates strongly with Azerbaijan’s current development trajectory.

The World Bank notes that although many countries in Europe and Central Asia have continued to invest capital and expand their labor force, overall efficiency has declined. Productivity growth in the region has halved since the financial crisis, limiting the impact of investment flows. According to the report, even a 10 percent improvement in productivity could generate nearly 2 million new jobs, underscoring the direct connection between productivity, employment, and living standards. Had the region maintained its pre-crisis pace of productivity growth, its GDP today could be 62 percent higher. These findings highlight why improving efficiency, rather than expanding resources, is now central to sustainable economic development.

For Azerbaijan, the message is particularly relevant. The country has, in recent years, deepened its cooperation with the World Bank across a broad spectrum of sectors, including digital governance, education, agriculture, water management, transport, and green energy. These projects support Azerbaijan’s key long-term priorities, such as strengthening the non-oil sector, boosting human capital, expanding renewable energy, and promoting balanced regional development. In essence, the World Bank’s reform recommendations mirror the strategy that Baku has already set in motion.

At the core of the report is the TIDES model, which outlines targeted reforms in trade, investment, digitalization, efficiency, and skills. Although developed for a wide regional context, the model fits Azerbaijan’s circumstances almost exactly. In trade, Azerbaijan still has substantial untapped potential in non-oil exports, which could be unlocked through streamlined customs procedures, improved logistics, and alignment with international standards. In investment, the country has made progress in attracting foreign capital, yet further liberalization and predictable regulatory conditions would help channel investment into high-value sectors and deepen technological transfer.

Digital transformation, one of Azerbaijan’s strongest recent achievements, remains another pillar of the TIDES framework. Initiatives such as ASAN Service, myGov, and DOST have already demonstrated how digital governance can reduce costs and increase transparency. However, the next stage will require strengthening cybersecurity, expanding digital infrastructure across regions, and supporting the growth of the local startup ecosystem. These steps would not only modernize public administration but also enhance the competitiveness of the private sector.

Efficiency remains a critical area where Azerbaijan can significantly benefit. State-owned enterprises, energy systems, and agricultural production still face structural inefficiencies that limit output. Modern corporate governance standards, improved energy efficiency programs, and innovation incentives for SMEs could substantially increase productivity and reduce fiscal burdens. This is especially important in sectors where Azerbaijan aims to achieve export diversification.

Finally, the report emphasizes the importance of human capital, an area where Azerbaijan has already launched several reforms, particularly in education, vocational training, and youth employment. Strengthening the link between universities and industry, expanding technical and digital training and improving access to employment for women and young people will be crucial for building a workforce equipped for a modern economy.

The report also highlights an issue of particular importance for Azerbaijan, the prevalence of ‘missing trade’ in the region. According to World Bank data, informal or unrecorded trade flows remain high across Europe and Central Asia, with some countries showing gaps that exceed half of their official trade volumes. Azerbaijan is included among the higher-risk group with an estimated rate of 58 percent. This places the country alongside several Central Asian economies, including Uzbekistan at 59 percent, Kyrgyzstan at 63 percent, and Tajikistan at 64 percent. The World Bank links these figures to a combination of strict trade regulations, informal customs practices, incomplete statistical reporting, and a notable share of intra-regional unregistered trade.

In Azerbaijan, enhanced customs digitalization, simplified procedures, and greater transparency in trade flows could help reduce these discrepancies and improve the accuracy of non-oil trade data.

Overall, the TIDES model offers a coherent framework that aligns closely with Azerbaijan’s own goals. The country already possesses several strategic advantages, including a strong digital governance base, substantial energy revenues that can be redirected into reforms, a favorable geographic position, and a non-oil sector with significant growth potential. Implementing productivity-centered reforms in line with the World Bank’s recommendations could therefore enable Azerbaijan to accelerate its transition to a more diversified, knowledge-based and resilient economy.

The Kazakh government will present detailed information on the investigation into the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) plane crash near Aktau airport by the end of 2025.

Azernews reports that Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Maksat Kaliakparov, made the statement during a briefing. He noted that while preliminary findings had been released three months after the tragedy, the inquiry is still underway.

‘The investigation is ongoing. Currently, more in-depth work, complex examinations are being conducted,’ M. Kaliakparov said, emphasizing the gravity of the case. He added that it remains difficult to predict the exact completion date: ‘I cannot guarantee a specific period at the moment, but we will present the information by the end of this year.’

The AZAL passenger aircraft, operating the Baku-Grozny route, crashed on December 25 last year near the Kazakh city of Aktau. The plane was carrying 62 passengers, including 37 Azerbaijanis, 16 Russians, 6 Kazakhs, and 3 Kyrgyz citizens, along with 5 crew members. A total of 38 people lost their lives, while 29 people, including three children, survived.

According to preliminary assessments, the crash may have resulted from physical and technical external interference in the airspace over Grozny, Russia. The final conclusions will be reflected in the Kazakh government’s report once the investigation is completed.