Category: Azer News

Cadillac heads into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix hoping to build on the progress made at the previous race weekend, with Sergio Perez expecting the team to make further improvements to its car.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the race in Baku, Perez expressed confidence that Cadillac can produce a stronger result this weekend. He believes the team can make further adjustments to the car and improve its performance on the Baku City Circuit.

The Mexican driver also reflected on Cadillac’s weekend at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Although the race itself did not deliver the result the team had hoped for, Perez viewed the weekend as an important step in the car’s development.

The long straights at Monza were not well suited to Cadillac’s car, limiting the team’s expectations for the race. However, the weekend gave the engineers an opportunity to work on the car’s balance and make progress in areas that could prove useful in Baku.

Perez therefore considers the Monza weekend part of the team’s development process and believes the lessons learned there can help Cadillac achieve a better result in Azerbaijan.

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held at the Baku City Circuit from September 24 to 26. The weekend will feature two practice sessions on Thursday, followed by final practice and qualifying on Friday, while the 51-lap Grand Prix will take place on Saturday at 15:00 local time.

The capacity growth Trkiye has achieved in solar and wind energy over the past decade has made a significant contribution to replacing fossil fuels in electricity generation. According to data from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, a total of 442.2 terawatt-hours of electricity was generated from solar and wind sources between 2015 and 2025. This generation prevented the need for $21.5 billion in coal imports that would have been required if the same amount of electricity had been generated using imported coal. Thus, renewable energy sources contributed not only to electricity generation but also to reducing energy imports.

If the 442.2 terawatt-hours of electricity had instead been generated by natural gas-fired power plants, $43.3 billion worth of natural gas imports would have been required. The increase in solar- and wind-based generation has helped reduce the need for imported fossil fuels to meet electricity demand. The growth in renewable energy investments has also been important for Trkiye’s goals of strengthening energy supply security and reducing external dependence. As the share of solar and wind in electricity generation has increased, progress has also been made in reducing emissions resulting from fossil fuel consumption.

The 442.2 terawatt-hours of electricity generated from solar and wind during the 2015-2025 period replaced electricity generation from fossil fuels. Assuming that this generation replaced electricity produced from imported coal, approximately 354 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions were avoided. If the same amount of generation had replaced natural gas-based electricity production, calculations showed that approximately 177 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions were prevented.

In 2015, Trkiye generated a total of 11,847 gigawatt-hours of electricity from solar and wind. This generation replaced approximately $300 million worth of imported coal and prevented 9.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Over the following 10 years, the increase in electricity generation from solar and wind was accompanied by a rise in fossil fuel substitution and the resulting reduction in emissions. The total generation reaching 442.2 terawatt-hours demonstrated that the share of renewable energy sources in Trkiye’s electricity supply has increased each year.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar assessed Trkiye’s renewable energy targets in a post marking World Zero Emissions Day on September 21. Bayraktar said renewable resources were being utilized to the fullest extent in line with Trkiye’s goals of achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2053 and full energy independence.

Bayraktar said Trkiye had risen to fifth place in Europe and 11th place globally in renewable energy, adding that the country aims to increase its renewable energy potential to 120,000 megawatts of installed capacity by 2035.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed an order to approve the “State Program on the Development of Mining (Metal Ores) and Metallurgy Industry in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2027-2030.”

Under the document, the Cabinet of Ministers will coordinate and oversee the implementation of the program. Furthermore, the Cabinet of Ministers will submit an annual progress report on the implementation of the planned activities to the President of Azerbaijan.

At the same time, the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of measures specified in the State Program will be carried out by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication on the basis of an order from the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy will take appropriate steps to allocate the necessary financial resources during the annual drafting of the state budget and state investment programs of Azerbaijan to fund the activities envisaged in the State Program.

Azerbaijan has postponed meetings between Armenian and Azerbaijani experts that were scheduled to take place in Armenia as part of the “Bridge of Peace” initiative, Azerbaijani sources reported.

This decision was due to the recent escalation of anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric in Armenian society.

An information campaign targeting Azerbaijan has intensified in recent days, involving foreign lobbying and expert circles.

According to the information, Baku believes that territorial claims against Azerbaijan and attempts to interfere in matters related to its sovereignty have received significant support from Armenian state institutions.

Against this backdrop, the Azerbaijani side considered holding another meeting in Armenia inappropriate and decided to postpone it.

The bloody war that has been raging on Ukrainian soil for a long time is a major crisis that has fundamentally shaken global economic and social resilience in the 21st century and set geopolitical fault lines in motion. Although the sounds of gunfire on the battlefield echo across Eastern Europe, its economic and social consequences extend thousands of kilometers away and are being deeply felt in the deserts of Africa, the densely populated neighborhoods of the Middle East, and the developing countries of Latin America. At the center of this crisis is one of the most critical and sensitive issues: global food security and, in particular, the serious collapse in wheat supplies.

Recent statistical indicators provide grounds for sounding the alarm in global grain markets. According to data from Ukraine’s Ministry of Agriculture, the country’s total grain exports in the current season have declined by 22 percent compared with the same period last year, falling to 4.67 million tons. An even more alarming picture can be seen in wheat exports, which are directly linked to a staple food for human consumption: Ukraine’s wheat exports have fallen sharply by approximately 44 percent, declining to just 2.33 million tons. A similar trend has been observed in barley exports, which have halved to 420,000 tons. Even the doubling of corn exports to 1.84 million tons does not alter the overall picture, because corn is primarily directed toward the animal feed industry and cannot replace wheat, a strategically important social commodity.

The main factors behind this sharp decline are the bombing of areas where wheat is produced and the paralysis of logistics networks and strategic infrastructure. Ukraine’s main deep-water ports on the Black Sea, including Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, have been seriously damaged by military attacks and bombardments and have largely suspended their operations. At present, Ukraine is able to realize only 40 percent of its potential agricultural exports. The blockade of the maritime corridor is increasing pressure on alternative land routes, which in turn raises transportation and insurance costs several times over, making the final price of the product excessively high.

It is precisely at this point that the ruthless global face of the war becomes apparent: the closure of Ukrainian ports and the near-halving of wheat exports are not hitting Western countries the hardest, but rather less-developed and poorer states. The African continent, particularly North and East African countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Algeria, have historically been critically dependent on Black Sea wheat. The sharp decline in exports is fueling inflation in these countries while also directly increasing the risk of mass hunger and social unrest. For countries such as Egypt, where bread is distributed to the population through state subsidies, rising wheat prices can mean the collapse of the state budget. In Somalia or Sudan, meanwhile, this is a matter of whether thousands of people will survive.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that a large share of the humanitarian wheat aid sent by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to less-developed countries originates from Ukraine. Disruptions in supply chains increase the costs of humanitarian missions and prevent aid from being delivered on time. Similar pressures are also being felt in Latin America and the Middle East: importers have to turn to more distant and expensive alternatives to fill the gap created in the grain market. This, in turn, leads to chain inflation globally and deepens poverty.

International financial institutions, recognizing the scale of the global threat, are attempting to take certain steps. The World Bank’s allocation of a $250 million financial package to Ukrainian farmers and the agricultural sector, along with the government’s efforts to support producers through its ‘5-7-9%’ preferential lending program, are aimed at preventing the agricultural sector from being completely crippled. However, these financial injections merely alleviate the symptoms temporarily; they do not treat the disease itself.

It must be emphasized that the Ukraine-Russia war is not merely a territorial conflict, but also a test of global resources and humanitarian security. Every port struck in the Black Sea and every ship subjected to a blockade is reflected thousands of kilometers away as hunger and deprivation in a poor African village. If the international community cannot fully guarantee the security of grain corridors and remove the logistical blockade, the indirect human toll caused by the war could reach a far more devastating scale than the losses on the battlefield.

President Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

“Your Highness,

I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of your brother, a prominent statesman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Following this irreparable loss, I share your grief and, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, extend my deepest condolences to you and all members of your family.

May Allah rest his soul in peace!”

A dance clip by renowned Azerbaijani and Russian dancer, choreographer and ballet artist Farid Kazakov has won an international competition and festival in Athens, Greece.

Kazakov, a world champion and multiple European champion in dance, as well as a three-time recipient of the title of Russia’s Best Soloist, received the award for a clip featuring his performance to “Xatir?dir,” performed by Azerbaijani mugham master Alim Gasimov.

Speaking to AzerNEWS, Farid Kazakov said the clip was filmed in Istanbul this spring and released on April 29, International Dance Day.

He noted that he had wanted to dance to “Xatir?dir” for a long time. The lyrics were written by poet Baba Vaziroglu, while the music was composed by Kamaladdin Heydarov.

Kazakov said his choice of the song was closely connected with the memory of Tamilla Khanum Shiraliyeva, a legendary Azerbaijani and Soviet ballet dancer, People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, recipient of the Shohrat (Glory) Order and his first teacher and mentor.

“This year would have marked Tamilla Khanum’s 80th birthday. She was one of the key figures who shaped my artistic career. Unfortunately, she passed away last year, but her name will forever be written in golden letters in the history of Azerbaijani and Soviet art and culture,” Kazakov said.

He noted that the word “xatir?dir” means “memory” or “recollection.”

Farid Kazakov added that when the clip was released, he was conducting a training camp for his Turkish students in Antalya and did not have the time or opportunity to properly share the video.

“I learned about its victory later, and I was extremely happy,” he said.

The dancer also highlighted the significance of the date when he received the news of the award – September 18, which is celebrated in Azerbaijan as National Music Day.

“I am infinitely proud that Azerbaijani music holds a leading place in my dance repertoire,” Kazakov said.

Farid Kazakov is a graduate of the Baku Academy of Choreography and the Moscow State Institute of Culture. He serves as an ambassador of Azerbaijan and Turkiye at the European Cultural Association and is a top-category teacher and honorary member of international cultural organizations.

His name is included in the book “Zirv?d?ki Az?rbaycanlilar” by the President and First Vice President of Azerbaijan as an outstanding representative of Azerbaijani youth in the 21st century.

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will bring a variety of entertainment to Baku alongside the action on the track, as Formula 1 celebrates its 10th anniversary in the Azerbaijani capital.

According to information provided to AzerNEWS by Baku City Circuit, the main Entertainment Zone will be set up along Baku Boulevard, where fans and families will have access to a wide selection of activities and experiences throughout the race weekend.

Formula 1 enthusiasts will be able to take part in several interactive attractions. A racing simulator will give visitors the opportunity to virtually drive an F1 car and compete to record the fastest lap. The Pit Stop Challenge will test participants’ teamwork and speed, with groups of two or three competing to change the tyres of an F1 car as quickly as possible. The leading teams will qualify for a final, with prizes such as signed memorabilia and paddock tours on offer to the winners.

The Fan Zone will also feature several attractions dedicated to the Formula 1 experience. Visitors will be able to view an F1 show car and the FIA championship trophy. Through an augmented-reality selfie experience, fans can also take virtual photographs with F1 drivers and team principals. An F1 DJ podium will recreate the atmosphere of a Grand Prix podium celebration.

The programme will include activities for those looking for entertainment beyond motorsport. The Ninja Challenge will offer an obstacle course featuring climbing walls, balance sections and rope elements, while a zipline will provide visitors with a high-speed attraction across the Fan Zone.

Young fans will also have dedicated entertainment options. At the Kids’ Grand Prix, children will be able to drive miniature electric cars on a specially designed track. The children’s area will additionally offer themed face painting, creative workshops and a selection of trampolines, including a helmet-shaped inflatable attraction.

Driver appearances will form another part of the programme. During Fan Forums, Formula 1 drivers and team representatives will appear on the main stage to answer fan questions and discuss their championship experiences away from the racing circuit.

A series of roaming performances will add to the atmosphere throughout the day. The entertainment line-up will include traditional national dances, Amarok’s drum performance, Mirror Dancers, Mirror Racing Show, Flying People and Drum Girls.

The Fan Zone stage will also host a series of musical performances. DJs Pancho, Maya Aziz, Nicolas Mun, Nazreen, Tim and Vugarixx will perform, alongside Excellent Band and Mardan Band.

The entertainment programme will continue into the evening at Baku Crystal Hall. International stars Calvin Harris and Katy Perry are scheduled to perform on Thursday and Friday respectively, adding live music to the Grand Prix weekend.

Running from September 24 to 26, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will combine Formula 1 racing with live performances, concerts, interactive attractions, and fan activities across Baku, offering visitors a programme that extends well beyond the circuit.

Azerbaijan has discussed a phased approach to developing its hydrogen sector, including plans for pilot projects, commercial-scale production and the development of export opportunities.

The State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources under Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy said the issue was discussed at the latest meeting of the Working Group established to prepare a conceptual and strategic document on hydrogen production.

The hybrid-format meeting was chaired by Javid Abdullayev, director of the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources.

Abdullayev said work on implementing Azerbaijan’s National Hydrogen Strategic Vision Implementation Plan has entered an important stage.

He noted that analyses have been conducted on the regulatory and legal framework, market management, infrastructure requirements, incentive mechanisms, skills development and potential hydrogen clusters.

According to Abdullayev, the current priority is to incorporate the findings of these analyses into the Implementation Plan in a way that supports their practical application.

Experts from DNV Energy Systems Germany GmbH delivered presentations on the main areas of the Implementation Plan. The presentations covered hydrogen-sector regulation, proposed amendments to relevant legislation and standards, market management and regulation, public infrastructure requirements, and government support mechanisms.

The meeting also focused on a proposed phased approach to the development of Azerbaijan’s hydrogen sector.

Under the proposed framework, the initial phase would focus on launching domestic pilot projects and establishing small-scale hydrogen clusters. The next phase would involve the implementation of commercial-scale projects, followed by the development of a more advanced hydrogen market with export potential.

Working Group members exchanged views on the implementation timelines for the different phases, including pilot projects, the development of domestic demand, infrastructure readiness and the expansion of export opportunities.

Participants also discussed proposed legal and regulatory measures, the involvement of relevant government institutions and the practical implementation of measures included in the Implementation Plan.

The results of the discussions are expected to be taken into account in further refining the Implementation Plan, with work to continue on the relevant areas.

Mercedes driver George Russell said at a press conference in Baku ahead of the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix that he enjoys the circuit and believes its high-speed corners suit his car well.

Russell also noted that weather conditions could have an impact on the weekend, while describing the Baku City Circuit as a challenging track that he enjoys racing on.

The Mercedes driver said he has been more satisfied with the team’s recent performances. He pointed to the Madrid race as an example, where Mercedes showed strong race pace and performance before a technical issue ended its hopes of a podium finish.

Russell believes the Baku circuit should suit Mercedes better than the Madrid track and is therefore expecting a stronger result. He also said the team has faced challenges this season because of changes to the car and tyres, but has made progress in understanding what works and is confident Mercedes can fight for victory in Baku.

The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held at the Baku City Circuit from September 24 to 26 as the 15th round of the Formula 1 season.

The weekend will follow an adjusted schedule, with both practice sessions taking place on Thursday, September 24, followed by final practice and qualifying on Friday. The 51-lap Grand Prix will be held on Saturday, September 26, starting at 15:00 local time.

The 6.003-kilometre Baku City Circuit features 20 corners and a race distance of 306.049 kilometres. The street circuit combines long, fast sections with the narrow and technical Old City section, where the track is only 7.6 metres wide at its narrowest point.

The circuit hosted its first Formula 1 race in 2016 as the European Grand Prix before becoming the Azerbaijan Grand Prix venue from 2017.