Category: Azer News

The 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has taken place in Dubai, UAE, under the theme “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Societies”, Azernews reports.

More than 3,000 museum professionals from around the world participated in the conference. This year, the ICOM conference was held for the first time in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region.

Asmar Babayeva, Chair of the ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee, Associate Professor at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, PhD in Philosophy, international expert in creative industries, and member of the Board of Directors of Azerkhalcha OJSC, participated in the event.

Held every three years, this conference serves as a platform for the exchange of views among the international museum community and the expansion of cooperation between museums.

The conference program included more than ten keynote sessions, over 400 speakers, over 100 papers, panels, and workshops, as well as a number of cutting-edge interactive educational sessions.

At the conference, Asmar Babayeva presented the ICOM Azerbaijan National Committee’s activities for 2023-2025 to an international museum audience, including past events, international conferences, and innovations in the country’s museum life.

“Azerbaijan’s participation in such a large-scale international platform confirms our country’s active role in the development of the global museum community. We presented innovations in museum life, past events, and international conferences. A museum is a non-profit organization that researches, collects, preserves, interprets, and displays tangible and intangible heritage, continually serving society. Accessible and inclusive museums promote diversity and sustainable development by offering a variety of educational, entertaining, and educational experiences, operating ethically, professionally, and with community participation,” Asmar Babayeva said.

Azerbaijan was also represented by members of the ICOM National Committee of Azerbaijan: Aybeniz Aliyeva, Head of the Fine Arts Sector of the Arts and Intangible Cultural Heritage Department at the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry; Alla Bayramova, Director of the Azerbaijan State Museum of Musical Culture; Turan Hasanova, Assistant to the Chairperson of the Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve; Amina Malikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum; Shirin Malikova, Director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum; Tural Ibrahimov, Director of the Surakhani Ship Museum; Vugar Isayev, Director of the Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve as well as professional staff from various museums.

Each country representative participated in the work of their respective ICOM committees and presented their reports.

Azerbaijan has concluded the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Azernews reports.

Renat Dadashov scored for Azerbaijan in the 4th minute. France responded with goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 17th minute and Akliouche in the 30th minute.

An own goal by Shahruddin Mahammadaliyev in the 45th minute also counted for France.

France topped Group D with 16 points; Azerbaijan finished last with one point.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group D was one of twelve groups in the European qualifying tournament that determined which teams would secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Group D included Azerbaijan, France, Iceland, and Ukraine. The teams competed in a home-and-away round-robin format between September and November 2025.

France, as the group winners, qualified directly for the World Cup, while the second-placed team, Ukraine, progressed to the second round (play-offs).

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries; the main host country of matches is the United States, while Canada and Mexico will co-host. The tournament will be the first to be hosted by three nations.

The 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held yesterday in Uzbekistan, marked another decisive milestone in the political evolution of a region that is rapidly redefining its role on the Eurasian map. What was once a set of isolated, post-Soviet republics, lacking a shared political voice, geopolitical agency, and the ability to act as a collective actor, is now emerging as a coherent and increasingly influential regional bloc. The significance of the meeting goes far beyond declarations and photo opportunities. It represents a deepening of Central Asia’s new regionalism, one that creates genuine synergy and positions the region as a strategic player rather than a passive geopolitical space. This shift also opens a timely debate: what would Azerbaijan gain from joining or formally engaging with this format? The answer is clear: Azerbaijan stands to benefit significantly, both in terms of regional influence and strategic connectivity.

To understand why yesterday’s meeting matters, it is essential to consider the historical context. During the Soviet era, the Central Asian republics lacked the opportunity to demonstrate unity and possess meaningful geopolitical weight. Moscow’s administrative design ensured that the republics remained economically dependent, politically marginalised, and strategically fragmented. Borders were drawn to limit cohesion, resources were tightly controlled, and independent regional initiatives were essentially impossible.

There was no platform for Kazakhstan to coordinate with Uzbekistan, nor for Kyrgyzstan to align its policies with Tajikistan or Turkmenistan. Central Asia existed merely as an administrative periphery of a superpower.

Fast forward to the present day, and the contrast is striking. The Consultative Meeting format, launched in 2018, has grown into the region’s most effective political mechanism. It allows leaders to articulate common interests, coordinate on strategic issues, and shape a shared vision for their future. The unity that was once denied has now transformed into synergy, a collective strength far greater than the sum of its parts.

The meeting held yesterday in Uzbekistan reflected the maturity of this regional project. Central Asia is no longer experimenting with cooperation; it is institutionalising it.

It can now be proudly stated that several important outcomes have been reinforced, including strengthened regional autonomy, accelerated economic integration, and most importantly, collective security and climate resilience. A unified Central Asia is better equipped to navigate the geopolitical pressures exerted by Russia, China, the EU, the USA, and the Gulf states. By coordinating their positions, the five republics, along with Azerbaijan, increase their bargaining power while reducing vulnerability to external shocks.

Besides, the region’s potential as a major transport and logistics hub is now becoming a reality. The discussion on harmonised transit policies, coordinated customs regimes, and joint infrastructure planning directly supports the long-term competitiveness of the Middle Corridor, the route that runs from China through Central Asia and the Caspian Sea to the South Caucasus and Europe.

Moreover, Central Asia faces shared threats: border tensions, water scarcity, Afghanistan-related instability, and climate-driven ecological risks. The meeting emphasised joint responses rather than isolated national strategies, demonstrating a recognition that regional security is inseparable from regional cooperation.

As previously announced, the ‘Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Model International Relations Academy – 2025’ project was launched this October at Baku State University, co-organized by the Eurasian Regional Center of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF-ERC), Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan and Baku State University, Azernews reports.

The project has so far brought together several prominent figures who have shared their expertise with students. Contributions have included insights from Farhad Mammadov, Director of the South Caucasus Research Center, on ‘The Security System of the South Caucasus in the Context of the 44-Day Patriotic War,’ and from Leyla Hasanova, Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization and COP29 Youth Climate Champion, who focused on ‘The Importance of International Organizations and Events in Global Recognition and Protection of Interests.’ Perspectives on ‘Contributions of Islamic Civilization to the World’ were provided by Aqil Shirinov, Rector of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, while the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Azerbaijan, Mohammed Adil Embarch, examined ‘The Role of International Organizations in Global Issues: Morocco’s Foreign Policy Priorities and Relations with Azerbaijan.’

Further discussions covered ‘The Role of International Organizations in International Relations: Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Policy Priorities and Relations with Azerbaijan’ by Maksat Mamytkanov, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, and ‘Science, Technological Progress, and State Sovereignty’ by Nicjt Mammadli, Advisor to the Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Rafiq Ismayilov, Director General of the OIC Youth Forum Eurasia Regional Center, addressed ‘Behind-the-Scenes Determinants in International Relations,’ while Hasan Hasanov, who served as the first Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, explored ‘Personal Connections in International Relations, the Importance of Communication, and Experience-Based Actions.’

The Ambassador of Trkiye to Azerbaijan, Birol Akgn, delivered a speech to students on the topic ‘The Role of Trkiye in the Muslim World: Challenges and Opportunities’; the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, Maksat Mamytkanov, spoke on ‘The Role of International Organisations in International Relations and Kyrgyzstan-Azerbaijan Relations’; and the Ambassador of Palestine to Azerbaijan, Ahmad Metani, addressed the topic ‘The Role of International Solidarity in the Palestinian Cause’, answering questions of interest from the students.

The ‘OIC Model International Relations Academy – 2025’ project will continue for six weeks. During this time, heads of diplomatic missions representing OIC member states in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani officials, and subject-matter experts will deliver lectures on topics such as international relations, state-building, Islamic civilization, the role of the OIC in the world, the foundations of national statehood, and other current issues. The simulation of the OIC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Conference is planned for December this year in Baku. Over the years, Azerbaijani students have proudly represented their country in the ‘International OIC Model’ competitions, which have included participants from more than 40 OIC member states.

As previously announced, the ‘Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Model International Relations Academy – 2025’ project was launched this October at Baku State University, co-organized by the Eurasian Regional Center of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF-ERC), Ministry of Youth and Sport of Azerbaijan and Baku State University, Azernews reports.

The project has so far brought together several prominent figures who have shared their expertise with students. Contributions have included insights from Farhad Mammadov, Director of the South Caucasus Research Center, on ‘The Security System of the South Caucasus in the Context of the 44-Day Patriotic War,’ and from Leyla Hasanova, Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization and COP29 Youth Climate Champion, who focused on ‘The Importance of International Organizations and Events in Global Recognition and Protection of Interests.’ Perspectives on ‘Contributions of Islamic Civilization to the World’ were provided by Aqil Shirinov, Rector of the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology, while the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Azerbaijan, Mohammed Adil Embarch, examined ‘The Role of International Organizations in Global Issues: Morocco’s Foreign Policy Priorities and Relations with Azerbaijan.’

Further discussions covered ‘The Role of International Organizations in International Relations: Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Policy Priorities and Relations with Azerbaijan’ by Maksat Mamytkanov, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, and ‘Science, Technological Progress, and State Sovereignty’ by Nicjt Mammadli, Advisor to the Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Rafiq Ismayilov, Director General of the OIC Youth Forum Eurasia Regional Center, addressed ‘Behind-the-Scenes Determinants in International Relations,’ while Hasan Hasanov, who served as the first Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, explored ‘Personal Connections in International Relations, the Importance of Communication, and Experience-Based Actions.’

The Ambassador of Trkiye to Azerbaijan, Birol Akgn, delivered a speech to students on the topic ‘The Role of Trkiye in the Muslim World: Challenges and Opportunities’; the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, Maksat Mamytkanov, spoke on ‘The Role of International Organisations in International Relations and Kyrgyzstan-Azerbaijan Relations’; and the Ambassador of Palestine to Azerbaijan, Ahmad Metani, addressed the topic ‘The Role of International Solidarity in the Palestinian Cause’, answering questions of interest from the students.

The ‘OIC Model International Relations Academy – 2025’ project will continue for six weeks. During this time, heads of diplomatic missions representing OIC member states in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani officials, and subject-matter experts will deliver lectures on topics such as international relations, state-building, Islamic civilization, the role of the OIC in the world, the foundations of national statehood, and other current issues. The simulation of the OIC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Conference is planned for December this year in Baku. Over the years, Azerbaijani students have proudly represented their country in the ‘International OIC Model’ competitions, which have included participants from more than 40 OIC member states.

Our goal in Baku is to strengthen digital resilience through dialogue and resolutions, said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), at the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25) held today in the Azerbaijani capital, Azernews reports.

The Secretary-General emphasized that connectivity is the cornerstone of both individual and collective resilience – and will remain so in the future.

She highlighted the transformative power of internet access:

‘For a child, it means access to education; for a new business, it offers the ability to deliver essential services through mobile technologies; for an expectant mother, it provides life-saving medical information; and for young people, it opens the path to acquiring skills needed for decent employment.’

Bogdan-Martin stressed that the task in Baku is to help meet these needs and strengthen resilience through informed policy discussions and targeted resolutions.

According to her, the aim of WTDC-25 is to ensure that digital opportunities become accessible and meaningful for everyone, to prevent anyone from being left behind in a rapidly evolving technological world, and to give fresh momentum to the global digital development agenda.

The ‘Model Regulations of Central Executive Bodies’ have been approved, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a relevant decree.

According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers must prepare and submit to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan proposals for improving the regulations of central executive bodies within six months, taking into account the requirements of the model Regulations approved by this decree, as well as resolve other issues arising from the decree.

First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has shared a post on her official Instagram page on the occasion of 17 November- National Revival Day.

Montenegro stands out as the most advanced and prepared candidate for European Union membership, President Jakov Milatovic has stated, Azernews reports.

‘We must strengthen the resilience of our institutions, combat hybrid threats more effectively, work on media literacy among youth, and reinforce social cohesion,’ Milatovic emphasized regarding his country’s EU integration efforts.

The Montenegrin president highlighted that Montenegro is the only candidate country to have opened all negotiation chapters and aligns its foreign policy fully with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. ‘EU enlargement has always been an investment in Europe’s stability, benefiting not only the joining countries but the continent as a whole. This was true for both Southern and Eastern European nations. Today, Western Balkan countries are in a similar position. If Europe does not seize this momentum, others will. We are already seeing hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns from third parties, which makes Europe’s active engagement in these processes even more crucial,’ Milatovic added.

The United Kingdom may suspend the issuance of visas to citizens of three African countries if their authorities fail to cooperate in repatriating illegal migrants, The Times reported on Monday, citing sources within the British Home Office, Azernews reports.

The countries in question are Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to the newspaper, these nations have refused to accept roughly 4,000 of their nationals who are residing illegally in the UK. While no official deadline has been confirmed, the Home Office reportedly warned the embassies of these countries in London on November 13 that visa restrictions could be imposed if cooperation does not improve within a month.

Initially, the UK plans to target diplomats and other privileged individuals by requiring them to apply for visas through the standard process, instead of enjoying expedited access. If the situation does not improve, the restrictions could extend to all citizens of the listed countries, potentially including a full ban on visa issuance-similar to measures previously taken by the administration of former US President Donald Trump.

The Times notes that other countries that resist accepting deported nationals may also face similar measures in the future. India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Somalia, and Gabon could be added to the UK’s ‘blacklist’ if authorities continue to encounter difficulties in repatriation. Analysts say these potential restrictions could strain diplomatic relations, but they also reflect the UK government’s growing emphasis on immigration control and accountability in international migration agreements.

Experts suggest that if fully implemented, the visa restrictions could have broader economic and cultural impacts, affecting trade, tourism, and diaspora communities in the UK.