Category: Azer News

Azerbaijan continues to play a prominent role in global climate diplomacy even after transferring its COP presidency to Brazil. Owing to the trust it built among countries during COP29 and the preparatory phase for COP30, several important missions within the COP process have been entrusted to Baku, Azernews reports.

Under the Baku Finance Goal adopted at COP29, Azerbaijan and Brazil-serving as COP29 and COP30 presidents-jointly prepared the ‘Roadmap from Baku to Belém’ outlining steps to scale up global climate finance to USD 1.3 trillion. The document was presented within the COP30 framework and has been widely welcomed and positively evaluated by most participating states.

Additionally, at Brazil’s request, Azerbaijan has been tasked with leading negotiations and coordinating two key decisions expected to be adopted at COP30:

COP30 President André do Lago has authorized Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Brazil’s Special Envoy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mauricio Lyrio to conduct high-level negotiations on determining the host country for COP31.

Australia and Trkiye are currently competing to host the conference. Azerbaijani and Brazilian negotiators are actively mediating between the two sides in an effort to reach a consensus.

One of the most critical potential outcomes of COP30-the agreement on the Global Stocktake (GST) under the Paris Agreement-has also been assigned to Azerbaijan and Norway. COP30 President André do Lago has mandated representatives of both countries to lead the negotiations.

The talks are co-chaired by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, who are working to build agreement among participating states.

Adam Kosa, the President of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), has met with a delegation led by Anar Bayramov, the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Deaflympics Committee (ADC), to celebrate a significant achievement in Azerbaijan’s sports history, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, Anar Bayramov expressed his pride over Azerbaijan’s achievement at the “XXV Summer Deaflympics,” where the country won its first-ever medal.

He highlighted the exceptional performance of the Azerbaijani judo athlete, who triumphed over competitors with significant international experience to secure a silver medal. This victory marked a historic moment as the first time Azerbaijan had earned a medal at the Deaflympics.

Adam Kosa extended his congratulations to the Azerbaijani delegation, praising the achievement and offering his best wishes for future competitions.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss the development of the Deaflympics movement in Azerbaijan, focusing on strengthening international collaboration, exchanging experiences, and exploring opportunities for joint projects.

The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) is the global governing body for deaf sports, overseeing the organization of the Deaflympics and other international competitions for athletes with hearing impairments.

Established in Paris in 1924 under the name “Comité International des Sports Silencieux (CISS),” its mission is to promote sports participation among deaf individuals, encourage international camaraderie, and uphold equality through athletics.

In 1955, the ICSD was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an international federation with Olympic status.

The Azerbaijan Deaflympic Committee, which was officially established in October 2023, has set its primary objectives to promote the development of physical education and sports among individuals with hearing impairments.

The committee aims to support their rehabilitation process and assist in their integration into a healthy, active society through organized sporting activities.

Additionally, it seeks to encourage the broad and extensive growth of various sports that are included in the Deaflympic program throughout the entire country.

Furthermore, the committee places a significant emphasis on the training and preparation of athletes specializing in these sports disciplines, ensuring they are well-equipped to compete at various levels.

Since the year 2025, the Azerbaijan Deaflympic Committee has been recognized as a member of the International Committee of Deaf Sport (ICSD), reflecting its commitment to engaging with the international deaf sports community and adhering to global standards and practices in deaf sports development.

Azerbaijan’s role in Europe’s energy security has strengthened significantly in recent years – a trend expected to accelerate with the country’s transition to green energy.

As reported by Azernews, Chairman of the Milli Majlis (Parliament of Azerbaijan) Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Ecology, Sadig Gurbanov, made the remarks during today’s parliamentary debate on the draft law ‘On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026.’

Gurbanov noted that, amid global climate challenges, accelerating the country’s green energy transformation must remain one of the core pillars of Azerbaijan’s energy strategy.

‘Preparatory work is underway for large-scale offshore wind energy projects in the Caspian Sea. New solar and wind parks are coming online, and the liberated territories, along with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, have been designated as ‘green energy zones.’ As a result, by 2030 the share of renewable sources in electricity generation is set to increase from 14% to 30%, while their share in installed capacity will rise from 18% to 37%,’ he said.

According to World Bank estimates, investments in green energy accelerate GDP growth, create thousands of new jobs, diversify export portfolios, and attract foreign investment.

Gurbanov added that taking such assessments into account within current and future budget frameworks could play a crucial role in the sector’s long-term development.

‘At the same time, it is essential that the budget provide dedicated support for waste-to-energy initiatives, energy efficiency programs, and recycling efforts. Establishing a ‘Green Waste and Energy Fund,’ financing energy conversion projects, and reporting annual results separately in the budget would be highly effective. These measures can enhance environmental sustainability while making the energy transition faster and economically beneficial,’ he noted.

The Azerbaijani judo team has departed for a training camp in Japan, Azernews reports.

The men’s team is training under the guidance of head coach Robert Krawczyk and coach Kotaro Sasaki at Tokai University.

Around 10 boxers are participating in the camp, where they are focusing on technical and tactical elements.

The main purpose of the camp is to prepare for upcoming competitions and to enhance international experience. The camp will conclude on November 29.

Alongside Azerbaijan, teams from Japan, Russia, and Denmark are also participating in the camp.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art across the country. Since 2015, the Federation has been led by Rovnag Abdullayev.

The country’s modern judo history was laid by Mehman Azizov, who won a silver medal at the Old World Championship in 1998.

A year later, the winner of the World Youth Games in Moscow, Rasul Salimov, grabbed the bronze medal at the European Championship in Slovakia. Another national judoka, Elchin Ismayilov, became the European champion in 2000 in Wroclaw.

However, the achievements of Azerbaijani judo fighters did not stop there. Elnur Mammadli was named the best at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 73 kg division.

The list of the country’s top judo fighters includes Rustam Orujov, Irina Kindzerskaya, Mammadali Mehdiyev, Elmar Gasimov, Hidayat Heydarov, Zelim Kotsoev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.

On November 20, 2023, Aghdam City Day was officially celebrated, marking the liberation of Aghdam from occupation, Azernews reports.

This significant day was recognized through various commemorative events, including the publication of a special information bulletin titled “Festival of the City Reborn from Its Ashes” at the Jafar Jabbarli Republic Youth Library.

The bulletin, prepared in alignment with the Decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on July 31, 2023, presents a detailed account of Aghdam’s rich history and the destruction it faced during the war. It highlights the historical and cultural significance of the city, as well as the restoration and reconstruction efforts being undertaken to revive it.

The material also features several key articles, including those by Professor Habil Gurbanov and Honored Journalist Bakhtiyar Sadigov, focusing on Aghdam’s journey toward revival.

The bulletin further includes comprehensive bibliographic descriptions and annotations of over 30 books and articles, covering topics related to Aghdam’s development and the broader efforts to restore its cultural heritage. These works emphasize the importance of Aghdam’s historical and cultural legacy and its ongoing transformation.

This special bulletin is now available on the official website of the Jafar Jabbarli Republic Youth Library, offering readers a thorough and reflective look at the city’s past, present, and future.

Google has announced the launch of its latest and most powerful artificial intelligence model, Gemini 3, Azernews reports.

The company describes Gemini 3 as ‘the world’s best model for multimodal understanding’, combining cutting-edge processing capabilities with enhanced visualization and interactivity. According to Google, the model represents a major leap in AI reasoning, allowing users to interact with data and information in ways previously thought impossible.

In addition, Google introduced Gemini 3 Deep Think, an advanced mode designed to further boost the model’s analytical power. Initially, this feature will undergo security testing before being made available to Google AI Ultra subscribers.

Experts suggest that Gemini 3 could transform how AI assists in creative work, research, and decision-making, offering smarter, more intuitive solutions across industries. With its multimodal capabilities, the AI is not only capable of understanding text but also interpreting images, charts, and other complex data inputs-potentially reshaping the future of human-computer collaboration.

US State Department Political Affairs Advisor Allison Hooker visited the Alley of Martyrs, paying tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives, Azernews reports.

The US Embassy in Azerbaijan issued a statement following the visit, noting that the United States ‘remembers all those who lost their lives defending their values’ and extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones as a result of the conflict.

The visit underscores ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries and the symbolic importance of honoring those who sacrificed their lives.

President Ilham Aliyev shared a post on his social media marking the 5th anniversary of the liberation of Aghdam, Azernews reports.

The post reads: ‘Our Victory History: November 20, 2020 – Aghdam.’

Second day of the 9th International Banking Forum has opened in Baku.

According to Azernews, the event is being held under the theme ‘Reliable, Secure and Sustainable Banking.’

Today’s programme features extensive sessions focused on digital finance, cybersecurity, capital markets, and the digital transformation of the banking sector.

Overall, the forum is dedicated to discussing current trends across a wide range of fields, including the cashless economy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, open banking, capital markets, and emerging payment ecosystems.

The event brings together representatives of government agencies, banks and financial institutions, the fintech ecosystem, international organisations, and leading private-sector companies.

AzInTelecom LLC, a subsidiary of AZCON Holding, took part as a key partner in the 9th International Banking Forum (BBF), held on November 19-20 under the theme ‘Reliable, Secure, and Sustainable Banking,’ Azernews reports.

A dedicated AzInTelecom booth was set up at the forum venue, where participants were introduced to the company’s products and services tailored for the financial sector. Innovative solutions that support banks in their digital transformation and provide them with unique advantages were showcased throughout the event.

During the forum, Tamerlan Mashadihasanli, Head of the Product and Services Department at AzInTelecom, delivered a presentation titled ‘From Traditional to Digital: Enhancing Banking Efficiency Through SIMA.’ He highlighted that SIMA enables banks and other financial institutions to save time, reduce costs, and eliminate paper-based processes across a range of operations.

To date, 16 banks in Azerbaijan are using AzInTelecom’s digital solutions to streamline their services. These solutions allow customers to remotely sign loan agreements, order debit cards, verify identity, place deposits, open accounts, and more-without the need to visit bank branches. Numerous other financial institutions have also digitized their authorization and signing processes using SIMA products.

Launched by AzInTelecom in 2022, SIMA is a next-generation digital signature legally equivalent to a handwritten signature, significantly simplifying workflows in the financial sector. It allows citizens to complete transactions without queues or paperwork. More information about the SIMA digital solutions platform is available on the official website or via the ‘157’ call center.