Category: Azer News

‘Since its membership to the D-8 family, Azerbaijan puts efforts for its institutional development. And it is seen not only in the economic area of collaboration, but also cultural, social and humanitarian ones,’ said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in his address to the participants of the D-8 Media Forum on Fostering Dialogue, Collaboration, and Regional Cohesion, Azernews reports.

‘During the almost one-year period since Azerbaijan’s acceptance into D-8, the first meeting of D-8 NGOs was organized in the city of Baku by our country’s initiative as it was in the case with the D-8 High-Level Climate and Urban Dialogue that took place within D-8 Week. Azerbaijan will continue to give its further contribution to expand the collaboration within this institution,’ the head of state emphasized.

The Central Scientific Library of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) has hosted the opening of the 1st International Symposium on Traditional Music and Cultural Identity of the Turkic World, marking the 150th anniversary of Kalvali Ali Dede, Azernews reports.

The symposium is jointly organized by the ANAS Institute of Folklore, the Institute of Architecture and Arts, the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, Ankara University of Music and Performing Arts, Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Kars Caucasus University State Conservatory, Khoja Ahmad Yasawi International Turkic-Kazakh University, the Azerbaijan Ashiqs Union, and the Azerbaijan International Mugham Center.

The event began with a tribute at the bust of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the library foyer, where fresh flowers were laid in his honor.

ANAS President, Academician Isa Habibbayli opened the symposium by highlighting its aim of deepening scientific research into the musical folklore of the Turkic world.

He emphasized the importance of studying the historical roots of ancient instruments such as the balaban, zurna, and saz, as well as understanding their cultural significance and place in collective memory.

Isa Habibbayli noted that evaluating the artistic legacy of Kalvali Ali Dede (Ali Karimov), a master of the zurna-balaban tradition, within the broader Turkic context holds substantial scholarly value.

He also recalled President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks at the 80th anniversary of ANAS, which underscored new strategic tasks for the scientific community, including safeguarding national and spiritual values and promoting cultural heritage.

Isa Habibbayli further noted that Kalvali Ali Dede, a virtuoso performer of the zurna, balaban and saz, composed more than 70 dance melodies and established a significant musical school.

He added that his artistic legacy continues today through both his family and committed followers.

The Academician stressed that the symposium reflects scientific respect for Ali Dada’s contributions and plays an essential role in promoting ancient wind instruments. The studies presented at the event, he said, represent the first comprehensive scholarly research of their kind in Azerbaijan.

Fakhri Hajiyev, head of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation’s Executive Office, delivered a message from the Foundation’s President, Aktoty Raimkulova.

The message highlights the symposium’s relevance in exploring the shared spiritual memory of the Turkic nations and emphasized traditional music as a vital cultural value that strengthens identity, connects generations, and ensures continuity. He pointed out that the similarities between musical traditions across the Turkic world, such as mugham, ashik art, and folk melodies as evidence of deep common cultural roots. He also highlighted recent collaborative initiatives between the Folklore Institute and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.

Azerbaijan National Conservatory Rector, Professor Kamila Dadashzade, outlined the role of the symposium in fostering cultural integration and scientific cooperation among Turkic peoples. She noted the growing importance of studying traditional music as an expression of ethnic identity and stressed that the symposium contributes to refining theoretical and practical approaches to this field.

Vice-Rector of the Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University (ASPU), Professor Mahira Nagiqizi Huseynova, spoke about the importance of preserving and presenting Kalvali ?li D?d?’s legacy to younger generations.

She remarked that being a “kalvali” once required deep artistry and mastery-values not fully understood by today’s youth and stressed the importance of such scholarly events in strengthening national memory and musical heritage.

Rector of Ankara University of Music and Performing Arts, Professor Erhan Özden, highlighted the enduring role of Turkic traditional art and music in shaping identity and maintaining cultural stability. He described music as a powerful bearer of pan-Turkic cultural codes.

ANAS Institute of Architecture and Art Director, Corresponding Member Ertegin Salamzade, reiterated music’s significance in shaping the cultural identity of a people, describing it as a key marker of self-awareness and cultural preservation.

Director of the ANAS Institute of Folklore, Dr Hikmat Guliyev, noted that the symposium offers valuable opportunities for researchers from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan to discuss themes such as the word-music-movement triad, traditional performance, and folklore-music connections. He described the event as an essential platform for safeguarding national identity amid globalization.

Hikmat Guliyev added that Kalvali Ali Dede occupies an important place in Azerbaijan’s collective musical memory. He underlined the need for further comparative research on Turkic musical codes and for the development of a unified scientific framework for Turkic music. He also highlighted the importance of establishing a digital archive dedicated to Kalvali Ali Dede’s legacy.

Associate Professor Jasurbek Salayev, Director of Uzbekistan’s Khorezm Regional Pedagogical Skills Center, noted Uzbekistan’s active participation, adding that a 28-member delegation represented the country, reflecting its commitment to cultural and scientific cooperation within the Turkic world.

On behalf of Kalvali Ali Dede’s family, Associate Professor Elchin Galiboglu expressed gratitude to the organizers and participants.

He noted that well-known melodies such as “Heyvagl,” “Alma gl,” “Alça gl,” “B?növs?,” “Kalvali,” “Ç?m?nlik,” “Mehribani,” “Dag çiç?yi,” and “Xirdaca” continue to serve as important examples for both contemporary zurna-balaban performers and practitioners of the ashiq tradition.

The event proceeded with an artistic program, followed by plenary presentations and discussions on various topics.

The international symposium is scheduled to conclude on November 21.

Azerbaijan and Israel have held discussions on deepening their cooperation in the oil and gas sector, Azernews reports, citing a post shared by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, on his account on X.

‘During our working visit to the State of Israel, we held a productive meeting with Eli Cohen, the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of Israel.

We exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in the fields of #energy and water management, as well as expanding joint activities in oil and gas,’ the post reads.

An International Scientific Conference on “Miniature – Eastern Visual Philosophy and Contemporary Context” has been held in Baku, Azernews reports.

The event was organized by Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve in partnership with the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).

The event was of great scientific and cultural importance, aiming to deeply explore the aesthetic and spiritual values of Eastern miniature art. It also focused on reinterpreting this tradition in the context of digital art and visual philosophy in the modern age.

The conference covered several key topics, including the philosophical and cultural aspects of miniature art, the visual philosophy traditions in Turkic-speaking regions, the influence of digital technologies on the visual arts, museum management, contemporary presentation methods, and the role of miniature art in cultural diplomacy.

Prominent scholars, art historians, and creative professionals from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, Romania, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan participated in the event.

The participation of international experts allowed for a broad exchange of ideas on the contemporary research perspectives of Eastern miniature heritage.

Participants also reached significant agreements to expand scientific collaboration, promote joint research initiatives, and further the visibility of miniature art on modern platforms.

The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation Media Forum, themed ‘Promoting Dialogue, Cooperation and Regional Solidarity,’ got underway in Baku. It features heads of media-related institutions, leading media organizations from the D-8 member states, other high-ranking representatives, and well-known experts in the field, Azernews reports.

Hikmat Hajiyev, Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration, opened the event by reading out President Ilham Aliyev’s address to the forum participants.

As part of the program, two panel discussions will take place, focusing on ‘Responsible Journalism and Digital Innovation’ and ‘Strategic Communication and Crisis Management.’ In addition, a workshop titled ‘Media Ethics in a Digital World: Technologies, Trends and Narratives’ will be held to explore evolving challenges and solutions in global media practice.

The forum has brought together around 150 participants, including 71 foreign guests from eight member countries and the Organization’s Secretariat, highlighting the growing importance of Baku as a hub for international media cooperation.

The short documentary film titled “My Name is Oil” has won the main prize at the Tehran International Short Film Festival, Azernews reports.

The film has a runtime of 14 minutes, and its director and screenwriter is Igor Smola, with Alisa Tarelicheva as the cinematographer. The sound specialists are Teymur Abdullayev and Igor Smola.

The cast includes Mahir Asadov, Kamran Ibisov, Elshan Mammadov, Ali Aliyev, and Ramil Bakhshaliyev. The producers are Igor Smola, Grigory Bagayev, Emil Nagiyev, Vladimir Nadein, and Duygu Davali.

The film depicts oil as a living entity, and the story centers on the explosion hazard created by a small, overlooked detail on an oil platform. The work draws attention to the consequences of minor mistakes in industrial processes.

The film was produced in 2025 as a joint production between Ultra Production (Azerbaijan) and Singapore. Its world premiere took place at the Sheffield DocFest festival.

The film has also been showcased at several other festivals.

The distribution rights of the film belong to Gargantua Film Distribution (Italy).

The AIAZ International Short Film Festival has taken place at Salaam Cinema in Baku, marking a groundbreaking moment as the first artificial intelligence-based film festival in the Caucasus and the broader region, Azernews reports.

The event, which spanned two days, explored the intersection of technology and art, showcasing how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of cinema.

Organized to celebrate the fusion of AI and filmmaking, the festival featured a variety of films, including those that creatively used AI technology to enhance storytelling and visual artistry.

The event also included a master class by AI expert Umid Salay, who shared insights into the potential of AI in film production.

The innovative startup “Jafjab”, which is bringing AI solutions to traditional cinema, was introduced to the audience, highlighting how technology is transforming the industry.

The festival concluded with a much-anticipated awards ceremony where the best films from the competition were honored. The winning projects demonstrated not only a sophisticated use of artificial intelligence but also exceptional artistic quality.

In the category of “Best Local Short Film Created with Artificial Intelligence,” the silver award went to Revan Muradov for his film “KhatAI.”

The award for Best International Short Film Created with Artificial Intelligence was presented to Igor Kharlamov for his thought-provoking film “The Only Way”.

A special prize from the festival team was awarded to Aisha Hajiyeva for her poignant work “Motherland,” which captured the deep emotional connection to place and identity.

The festival also placed a strong emphasis on ecological issues, with an “Environmental Impact Award” recognizing films that addressed climate and environmental concerns.

In the local competition, the award went to “Mirror: The Other Side of Humanity” by Ruslan Ibrahimli, while in the international competition, “Climate Crisis” by Peter Vadoc took home the prize for its timely and impactful exploration of environmental challenges.

The AIAZ Film Festival was supported by several key organizations, including the Eco Hub environmental platform and Fors LLC.

The festival was founded by Murad Shukurli, with Sahil Mammadov serving as its director.

The creative direction was led by Maleyka Mammadova, with visual design by Mirvugar Abdulov and media leadership provided by Samed Aghayev.

This year’s AIAZ International Short Film Festival underscored the growing role of artificial intelligence in the world of cinema, blending technology and creativity to pave the way for a new era of filmmaking.

It also highlighted the potential for such events to spark innovation and enhance greater international collaboration in the film industry.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, at today’s group meeting, once again called for a commission to visit Imrali Island. Bahçeli said: ‘If the goal of a terror-free Turkiye is to be realized, there is no point in dragging feet over going to Imrali. If no one agrees to this visit, I say it openly: I will take three colleagues with me and will not hesitate to go to Imrali on our own.’

Following Bahçeli’s remarks, Minister of Justice Yilmaz Tunç made statements. Tunç said: ‘Freedom from terrorism is very important for our country. Such a step can only be realized through the decision of the commission.’

Speaking to the press, Minister Tunç also addressed the anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, marked on November 20 as World Children’s Day. He noted that two days earlier, the opening program of a related project had been held and sessions were continuing. Tunç emphasized the importance of protecting children in judicial processes-both victims of crime and those drawn into crime-so that they are not harmed by the system. He described the initiative as a significant project aimed at making the child justice system more effective.

Tunç explained that Turkiye has already introduced numerous regulations concerning children, including the Child Protection Law, and stressed that the project will run for three years. He added that Turkiye, as a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child since 2005, is also a signatory to international agreements preventing child abuse, and that the project is intended to improve the implementation of existing legislation.

On another issue, Tunç referred to the publication of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) investigation, noting that under the Criminal Procedure Code, recording audio and video in courtrooms is currently prohibited. He said lifting this ban would be at the discretion of Parliament.

Returning to the theme of terrorism, Tunç underlined: ‘We attach great importance to a terror-free Turkiye-for our country’s future, for our children’s future, and for the Century of Turkiye. For 41 years we have fought terrorism. We have suffered trillions in material losses, thousands of martyrs, and great pain. As a nation, we are united in the desire that such suffering never be repeated.’

He recalled the sacrifices of security forces and highlighted milestones in Turkiye’s struggle against terrorism, including the lifting of emergency rule in 2002, President Erdogan’s historic 2005 speech in Diyarbakir, and subsequent democratization steps that dismantled excuses for terrorism. He also cited Erdogan’s speeches in Ahlat in recent years, which emphasized national unity, and Bahçeli’s October 22, 2022 call at an MHP group meeting, which he described as opening the door to a new process.

Tunç noted that statements from Imrali regarding the dissolution of the terrorist organization and the laying down of arms marked an important stage. He stressed that support from the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye was crucial, and that the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission

Kyoto University has announced plans to use Google’s artificial intelligence to develop new methods for producing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), Azernews reports.

Researchers intend to leverage the AI Co-Scientist neural network to identify more efficient ways of converting ordinary cells into pluripotent ones. Hirohide Saito, head of the research group, said in Tokyo that collaboration with Google will allow the team to accelerate experiments and simplify the development of safe stem cell production techniques.

The AI Co-Scientist platform, developed by Google, is designed to generate scientific hypotheses and analyze complex datasets. Kyoto University will be the first institution in Japan to apply this AI tool to cellular technology research. The project aims to shorten the timeline from laboratory discovery to medical application, with scientists hopeful that AI will uncover strategies that are difficult to detect through traditional analytical methods.

Pluripotent stem cells are created by reverting ordinary cells to a state similar to embryonic cells. The induced version of these cells was first developed in 2006, when Japanese researchers introduced specific genes into mouse cells. Today, these cells hold immense promise for regenerative medicine, as they can potentially form human tissues and organs. This breakthrough could pave the way for treatments of numerous diseases, including diabetes.

Experts note that combining AI with stem cell research could revolutionize the speed and safety of developing new therapies, opening doors to medical advances that were previously considered decades away.

A ‘game-changing’ period has begun between Turkiye and Libya. While Turkiye’s partnership with the Tripoli government continues, a new phase is opening with the administration of Khalifa Haftar. Reciprocal visits are taking place, economic partnerships are being established, forward-looking plans are being drawn up, and a new stage is unfolding in Turkiye’s power play across the Mediterranean and Africa.

As Turkiye discusses its intervention in Sudan’s civil war, marked by atrocities verging on genocide, it is also building up positions at Ethiopia’s Somaliland port and Egypt’s Eritrean port. The great power struggle in Central and North Africa is escalating sharply. Every move in this contest reverberates far beyond national borders, shaking much of Africa. That is why Turkiye, one of the region’s most important players, is watched so closely.

Turkiye’s rapprochement with regional countries, built on partnerships against colonialism, has now become a settled principle. At the same time, Turkiye has demonstrated remarkable agility, able to manoeuvre quickly and adapt to circumstances. Central African states have expelled Western powers, especially France, in a ‘revolutionary transformation’ that is reshaping African history. Turkiye has stood – and will continue to stand – as a central supporting force alongside these countries, opening its military technology to them extensively.

Central Africa cannot be conceived without Libya. One reason for Gaddafi’s downfall was Libya’s influence over Central African countries, which provoked France and Sarkozy into launching attacks that shocked the world. Libya is a vast Mediterranean country, twice the size of Turkiye, with some of the world’s largest oil and gas reserves, rich underground water and mineral resources – enough to sustain all of Central Africa. This country must be rescued from division, instability, and Western plunder.

Libya is not only a Mediterranean state but also the largest gateway to Central Africa. From Sudan to Mali and Chad, the stability of the Sahel depends on Libya’s stability. Therefore Libya must be strengthened: a powerful army built, wealth directed toward national growth, population increased, a strong central government established, and central authority consolidated.

Libya, devastated by civil war and chaos despite its wealth, must recover. The truth is clear: the partition of Libya and Sudan would bring destruction not only to those two countries but to all of Central Africa. Just as Turkiye mobilized for Sudan’s unity, it must mobilize for Libya’s reunification. Turkiye is the sole guarantor of stability for these nations, and this principle underpins its regional policy.

Relying only on Tripoli while keeping distance from Eastern Libya is dangerous for Turkiye, especially as regional dynamics intensify. Recognising this danger, Turkiye’s recent rapprochement with Haftar’s administration has become striking. Warm interest from Benghazi toward Ankara, Turkiye’s prioritisation of Libya’s unity as a matter of ‘life and death,’ and the increase in visits, contacts, and economic agreements all reflect this.

Delegations from Benghazi are arriving in Turkiye one after another, major deals are being signed between Benghazi and Turkish companies, and Haftar’s administration is pressing Libya’s House of Representatives to approve the ‘Blue Homeland’ maritime agreement signed with Turkiye. Meanwhile, Tripoli appears hostage to the U.S. and Europe, with central bank resources unfairly distributed and siphoned off to the West. Western powers are pushing federation instead of unity, subjecting Libya to blackmail – making urgent action necessary.

This is already happening. On August 26, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met Haftar. In August 2025, the Turkish Navy’s TCG Kinaliada and military officials visited Benghazi port, joined by Haftar’s Libyan Armed Forces – a sign of rapprochement not only politically and economically but militarily.

Photos of Kalin with Haftar’s eldest son Belkassam in Benghazi, followed by Belkassam’s visit to Ankara to meet Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and sign agreements, show that a strong future is being built between Turkiye and Eastern Libya. The issue is not merely economic but deeply geopolitical.

Because we usually view Libya through Tripoli, developments in Eastern Libya have been less closely followed. But Libya is now returning strongly to the regional and international stage after years of conflict, with stable oil production and massive development projects.

Under Belkassam’s coordination, hundreds of new schools, dozens of hospitals and health centres, hundreds of kilometres of roads, and housing for thousands of families have been built in just two years. A new highway is being constructed to link Benghazi deep into Africa, enabling Turkish goods arriving at Benghazi port to reach Central African countries within three to four days.

The relationship between Turkiye and Haftar’s administration goes beyond what is visible publicly: it is permanent, constructive, and aimed at unifying Libya. The future of the vast geography spanning Sudan, Central Africa, and Libya may depend on this rapprochement, moving Libya toward one state, one army, and one strong central authority.

Turkiye has gained its sphere of influence over the past two decades by breaking century-old patterns. It is a country free of prejudice, open-minded, and acting with geopolitical foresight rather than short-term calculations.

Therefore, the Tripoli-Benghazi divide must end. Libya’s collapse must be prevented. A strong state must be built. Turkiye must be Libya’s strongest supporter internationally, beyond economic and political aid. A strong Libyan army can only be built with Turkiye’s centuries-long experience. Otherwise, the country cannot survive. Libya’s resources must be protected from Western exploitation and directed toward nationalisation.

Most of Libya is under Haftar’s control, and most resources are located there. Thus, the new process initiated with Haftar’s administration must evolve into reconstruction and the image of a strong Libya.

Turkiye is ready, Libya is ready – this is a necessity for Central Africa’s future. Public perception of Libya must also be reshaped through stronger media and information management. Global power dynamics are shifting so rapidly that only those with open minds can cross this bridge.

Inviting Khalifa Haftar to Turkiye, turning East-West partnership into a central power, and urgently establishing Turkiye’s constructive, peace-oriented partnership across the region is essential. Turkiye has achieved all its gains by breaking the patterns imposed by the West for a century. Now is the time to do the same in Libya.