Azeri Light price declines

The price of Azerbaijan’s Azeri Light crude oil at Italy’s Augusta port fell by $1.82, or 2.71 percent, compared to the previous level, settling at $65.21 per barrel on a CIF basis, Azernews reports.

At Turkiye’s Ceyhan terminal, the price of Azeri Light crude traded on an FOB basis declined by $1.85, or 2.84 percent, to $63.17 per barrel.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Urals crude dropped by $1.84, or 3.43 percent, to $51.87 per barrel, while North Sea ‘Dated Brent’ oil decreased by $1.8, or 2.73 percent, reaching $64.20 per barrel.

The decline comes amid broader market pressures, including signs of slowing global demand and concerns over high inventories. Despite recent fluctuations, Azerbaijan’s 2025 state budget projects an average oil price of $70 per barrel, suggesting a cautious but stable outlook for the country’s energy revenues.

Baku Music Academy presents new project [PHOTOS]

A grand presentation of the “Time of Classical Music” project has taken place at Baku Music Academy (BMA), Azernews reports.

The project presentation was timed to the 140th anniversaries of the birth of prominent Azerbaijani composers Uzeyir Hajibayli and Muslim Magomayev.

The event began with the performance of the Azerbaijani National Anthem. Then the project was presented.

The event began with a stirring performance of the Azerbaijani National Anthem. Then, the project was introduced with a detailed presentation.

The “Time of Classical Music” project is aimed at promoting both national and international classical music among contemporary Azerbaijani youth.

It serves to preserve and widely promote the rich musical legacy left by prominent Azerbaijani composers Uzeyir Hajibayli and Muslim Magomayev for future generations.

Laureates of international competitions, as well as teachers and students of the Baku Music Academy, performed a fascinating concert program in honor of the outstanding composers’ jubilees.

The artistic director of the project is Alyona Inyakin, PhD in Art Studies and Senior Lecturer at the Baku Music Academy.

President Ilham Aliyev receives President of Senate of Romania [PHOTOS/VIDEO]

On October 29, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Mircea Abrudean, President of the Senate of Romania.

Abrudean congratulated the head of state on the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including the signing of a declaration in Washington in the presence of the U.S. President and the initialing of the Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He expressed hope that this would contribute to ensuring peace and development across the region.

Mircea Abrudean voiced satisfaction with participating in the international parliamentary conference organized excellently by the Milli Majlis in Baku to mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Highlighting Azerbaijan and Romania as friends and partners, Abrudean emphasized ample opportunities for further developing cooperation. The Senate President underscored the importance of inter-parliamentary ties and collaboration within international parliamentary institutions in advancing bilateral relations.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked Mircea Abrudean and acknowledged President Trump’s key role in advancing the peace agenda, noting its historic importance for the region.

The meeting underscored the strategic significance of the Caspian submarine power cable project involving Azerbaijan, Romania, Georgia, and Hungary for delivering renewable energy from Azerbaijan and Central Asia to Europe.

EBRD supports Azerbaijan in developing national hydrogen energy roadmap

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting Azerbaijan in the preparation of its national hydrogen energy roadmap, according to Cavid Abdullayev, Director of the State Agency on Renewable Energy Sources under the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan.

As reported by Azernews, citing the Ministry’s official, he made the remarks during his speech at the 13th International Caspian Energy Forum held in Baku.

According to Abdullayev, the EBRD is actively cooperating with Azerbaijan on drafting hydrogen energy development roadmaps, which will serve as a foundation for future projects in this emerging sector.

‘The Bank is already providing both financial and technical assistance to the Azerbaijani side,’ Abdullayev said. ‘The process of selecting an international consulting company to prepare a comprehensive, implementation-oriented document has reached its final stage.’

He added that a shortlist of international consulting firms has already been determined and that there is strong interest in participating in the project.

‘I am confident that the outcomes will be successful,’ Abdullayev emphasized.

Abdullayev also noted that within the framework of COP29, Azerbaijan has presented its strategic vision for hydrogen energy development, a document that has attracted broad international interest.

Baku to host VictoryFest-5 Creative Festival

On November 6, the “VictoryFest-5” creative festival dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the 44-day Patriotic War will be held at the Heydar Aliyev Centre, Azernews reports. The event is organised by the Ministry of Science and Education.

The festival has been held for the fifth consecutive year. “VictoryFest” serves as an important platform each year for showcasing the patriotism and creative potential of schoolchildren and youth.

The main goal of the festival is to respectfully commemorate the memory of the martyrs of the 44-day Patriotic War as well as to educate children and youth about the essence of the struggle for the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the glorious victory of the Azerbaijani Army.

The event also aims to instil in the younger generation the historical achievements gained in the 44-day Patriotic War, the heroism of our army, and the significance of this victory as a triumph for the entire Turkic world.

Azerbaijan’s industrial push builds non-oil future through regional growth

Azerbaijan’s focus on industrialization and economic diversification is emerging not merely as a policy directive but as a strategic imperative. In the face of volatile global oil prices, the country is investing heavily in non-oil sectors to ensure sustainable economic growth while positioning itself as a regional hub for high-value manufacturing. The recent visits of President Ilham Aliyev to industrial facilities in the Sabirabad and Imishli districts underscore the government’s commitment to translating policy into tangible economic outcomes.

To date, Azerbaijan has established nine industrial parks and four industrial districts, providing a comprehensive infrastructure platform for a growing manufacturing base. The Sabirabad Industrial District, established in 2017, spans 20.3 hectares and hosts eight registered residents, generating over 100 jobs with a cumulative investment of more than 10 million manats. These facilities collectively demonstrate how state-led industrialization can catalyze private sector growth, promote regional development, and create employment opportunities.

During his October 28 visit, President Aliyev inspected a series of industrial facilities, highlighting the diversity and technological sophistication of Azerbaijan’s emerging non-oil sectors:

– Agrochemical Production – ‘Humix’ LLC: Established in 2021, the facility produces organic-mineral, chemical, and granular fertilizers using Turkish, Chinese, and local technologies. With an annual capacity of 18,000 tons and support from the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund, the project exemplifies how targeted financial incentives can encourage domestic manufacturing and export potential.

– Seed Production – ‘Azera Tokhumchulug’ LLC: Using advanced Turkish technologies, the facility produces a wide array of seeds, including hybrid corn, sunflower, barley, wheat, and alfalfa. The project demonstrates the integration of agricultural production with industrial processing, a key step in creating value chains that enhance rural incomes while fostering food security.

– Cotton Processing – ‘Tashobasi’ LLC: Operational since 2023, this plant utilizes European and Turkish machinery to produce lint and technical fiber, generating 80 permanent jobs and seasonal employment for 300 farm workers. The high export share of its output highlights Azerbaijan’s capacity to compete in international textile markets.

– Water Filtration Equipment – ‘Firtina Su Sistemleri’ LLC: Established in 2024, the facility produces 210,000 filters and 15,000 water purification devices annually for domestic and regional markets, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Trkiye. This illustrates the country’s strategy to expand into high-demand industrial goods with export potential.

– Barley Malt Processing – ‘Promalt’ LLC: Inaugurated in Imishli, the facility represents the first modern barley malt production plant in the South Caucasus, integrating advanced Swiss machinery and fully automated systems. With an annual capacity of 11,000 tons and partnerships with key domestic players like ‘Azersheker’ and ‘Azersun Holding,’ the project strengthens agro-industrial integration, supports localization of production, and ensures sustainable raw material supply for breweries.

These developments highlight several key trends in Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector: first, a deliberate effort to integrate advanced foreign technologies with local production capabilities; second, the strategic role of state incentives and development funds in accelerating industrial growth; and third, a focus on export-oriented manufacturing that aligns with regional trade opportunities.

Analytically, these investments serve multiple purposes. They reduce the economy’s reliance on oil revenues, create a diversified industrial base capable of generating employment across urban and rural areas, and enhance Azerbaijan’s position in global supply chains. Moreover, by prioritizing agro-industrial processing, chemical production, and high-value manufacturing, the government is laying the groundwork for long-term economic resilience, technological upgrading, and regional competitiveness.

President Aliyev’s engagement with these facilities underscores a broader economic strategy: industrialization is not confined to major cities but is being actively promoted in regional centers, ensuring balanced economic development across the country. As Azerbaijan continues to leverage its industrial districts, business incentives, and technological partnerships, the nation is steadily transforming its economic landscape from resource dependency toward a diversified, innovation-driven model.

World’s first “sky stadium” to be built in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has announced ambitious plans to construct the world’s first ‘sky stadium’, a futuristic sports arena that will hover 350 meters above the ground. The venue is expected to host matches during the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which the Kingdom is set to organize, Azernews reports.

Designed to seat 46,000 spectators, the suspended stadium will blend cutting-edge architecture with advanced engineering, offering panoramic views of the city skyline and surrounding desert landscape. Construction is scheduled for completion by 2032, giving the country two years to test and prepare the facility before the global event.

According to local reports, the stadium will feature climate-controlled seating, AI-driven crowd management systems, and sustainable energy sources, including solar panels integrated into its structure. Saudi officials say the project reflects the nation’s long-term vision to merge innovation, sport, and sustainability under the Vision 2030 initiative.

Earlier reports suggested that FIFA may postpone the 2034 World Cup to January 2035 due to the holy month of Ramadan, which will fall in November and December 2034. Holding the tournament in the summer is not an option, as temperatures in Saudi Arabia can reach 50°C (122°F) during that period.

If completed on schedule, the ‘sky stadium’ could become one of the most iconic sports venues ever built – symbolizing Saudi Arabia’s technological ambitions and its growing influence on the global sports stage.

Azerbaijan, Oman discuss deepening partnership during official talks [PHOTOS]

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met with his Omani counterpart, Badr al-Busaidi, during an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan reported on its ‘X’ account, Azernews reports.

The ministers highlighted the importance of continuous high-level dialogue and mutual visits to strengthen bilateral ties. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in economic, trade, humanitarian, and cultural spheres.

The officials also welcomed the official opening of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Muscat, describing it as a key step that will provide new momentum for relations between the two countries.

Both sides expressed appreciation for their cooperation within the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). They also underscored the importance of continued collaboration ahead of major events, including the OIC Summit and the World Urbanization Forum, which are scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan in 2026.@

Azerbaijan, Xi’an discuss prospects for direct flights and cooperation in transport

Azerbaijan and China’s Xi’an city have discussed the potential for establishing direct air connections, as well as prospects for cooperation in artificial intelligence, digitalization, and other areas, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

According to Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, shared details of the meeting on his official account on platform X.

Nabiyev noted that the discussions took place during his meeting with Ye Niuping, Mayor of Xi’an.

‘During the meeting, we discussed the current state and future prospects of cooperation between our countries-particularly between Azerbaijan and the Xi’an region-in the fields of railway and overall transport. To advance this cooperation, a dedicated working group has been established,’ the minister stated in his post.