Category: Azer News

A new force has entered the arena of interstate competition: artificial intelligence. Where global influence was once defined primarily by military strength and economic power, today no serious strategic calculus is complete without AI. It is reshaping how nations compete, cooperate, and project influence. Azerbaijan is entering a pivotal phase in its digital evolution, where technology is positioned to make government more efficient as well as serve as a strategic lever for economic diversification, innovation, and national security. The recent establishment of the Digital Development Council and the approval of a three-year Action Plan by President Ilham Aliyev mark a decisive step toward institutionalizing digital transformation at the highest level of government. This move reflects a recognition that in the modern global economy, the ability to harness artificial intelligence (AI), manage data effectively, and maintain technological sovereignty is as critical to national competitiveness as traditional sectors like oil and gas.

In recent years, Azerbaijan has achieved measurable progress in digital infrastructure and e-governance. The launch of the Government Cloud, a centralized platform for state data and services, and the widespread adoption of the SIMA biometric digital signature, now used by more than four million citizens, demonstrate the country’s capacity to implement large-scale digital initiatives. These achievements contributed to Azerbaijan’s rise to 74th place in the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index, entering the ‘very highly developed countries’ category. This progress reflects a clear correlation between centralized digital infrastructure and improved public service delivery, signaling that Azerbaijan is moving from basic digitalization toward integrated, citizen-focused governance.

However, digital infrastructure alone does not translate into innovation leadership. Azerbaijan’s 94th place in the Global Innovation Index highlights the persistent gap between technology deployment and the generation of sustainable innovation. Innovation ecosystems require not only advanced infrastructure but also high-quality human capital, flexible regulatory frameworks, access to finance, and robust research capabilities. Current limitations, including deficiencies in data management, insufficient high-performance computing resources for AI, and underdeveloped financial instruments such as venture capital and crowdfunding, constrain the country’s capacity to transition to a fully innovation-driven economy.

The 2026-2028 Action Plan addresses these structural gaps through a combination of technological, regulatory, and human capital initiatives. The introduction of unified data management and the ‘once only’ principle will reduce bureaucratic redundancy, enhance data integrity, and enable proactive public services. Centralizing citizen and business interactions under the MyGov and MyGov Business platforms will create a more seamless interface with the state, facilitating predictive governance and data-driven decision-making.

Equally important are measures to stimulate private innovation, including legal recognition of venture financing and crowdfunding, support for angel investors who are individuals that provide early-stage funding and mentorship to startups in exchange for equity, simplified technopark residency, and incentives for local innovative products in state procurement. These interventions acknowledge that public infrastructure and regulatory modernization alone are insufficient; fostering entrepreneurship and attracting global talent are essential to building a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

These measures together form the backbone of an innovation ecosystem. Digital infrastructure and government modernization can create the environment, but innovation thrives only when financial mechanisms, mentorship, and market access exist. By combining venture capital, crowdfunding, angel investment, and technopark support, Azerbaijan is aiming to reduce early-stage funding gaps, encourage risk-taking, and accelerate the commercialization of new technologies. This is particularly important for sectors like AI, where startups require significant upfront investment for research and computing infrastructure before generating revenue.

A particularly strategic component of the Action Plan is the emphasis on ‘sovereign AI,’ a concept that is rapidly gaining global prominence. Countries around the world are pursuing sovereign AI to secure technological independence and strategic advantage. China, for instance, has made significant advances through its New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan, aiming to establish global leadership in AI by 2030. The European Union (EU) is promoting data sovereignty via initiatives. Similarly, India and Russia are exploring sovereign AI strategies, focusing on data localization and the creation of AI solutions tailored to national priorities.

Sovereign AI refers to a nation’s ability to develop and operate AI systems using domestic infrastructure, data, and human capital, independently of foreign platforms. For Azerbaijan, this is both an economic necessity and a matter of national security. For example, developing AI models in the Azerbaijani language ensures that critical decision-making tools reflect local norms, cultural context, and legal frameworks. Achieving this, however, demands substantial investment in high-performance computing, data quality enhancement, and the cultivation of specialized talent, areas where current capacity is still limited.

As digitalization advances, cybersecurity risks grow proportionally. AI-driven cyberattacks, supply chain vulnerabilities, and threats to critical information infrastructure are becoming more sophisticated. The World Economic Forum identifies cybersecurity risks and technology-driven disinformation among the most pressing global threats. Against this backdrop, digital resilience, the ability to anticipate, respond to, and rapidly recover from cyber incidents, is equally vital as the development of AI and digital infrastructure. The State Service for Special Communications and Information Security is taking proactive steps by defining AI security requirements, creating a national ‘Threats and Solutions Catalog,’ and establishing systematic risk assessment protocols. By emphasizing asset identification, regular review cycles, and adaptive risk management, Azerbaijan is embedding international best practices into its cybersecurity governance framework.

Taken together, the establishment of the Digital Development Council and the Action Plan represent a structured approach to advancing digital transformation in Azerbaijan. The country is moving from basic technology adoption toward more coordinated technology governance, with a focus on innovation and greater control over digital infrastructure.

These reforms have the potential to support economic diversification, improve public sector efficiency, and enhance cybersecurity. However, achieving these outcomes will require sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital, data management, private sector participation, and institutional coordination. Partial implementation or insufficient resources could result in only incremental improvements, limiting the impact of the Action Plan.

Azerbaijan’s new digital strategy presents both opportunities and challenges. It provides a framework to use AI and digital technologies to support economic development, improve governance efficiency, and strengthen cybersecurity. At the same time, it requires the development of technical infrastructure, financial mechanisms, and human capital to ensure a resilient, innovative, and sovereign digital ecosystem. The effectiveness of the strategy will depend on the country’s ability to implement these measures consistently and translate policy initiatives into measurable results within the global digital economy.

Heavy rainfall and snow that began yesterday have caused significant disruptions in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and surrounding areas, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a statement from the Tbilisi City Hall, the city’s infrastructure has suffered considerable damage. Several electricity transmission towers have collapsed, while trees and branches, weighed down by the heavy, wet snow, have damaged power lines, street lighting poles, and vehicles over the past 24 hours. Additionally, internet cables have been knocked out at various locations.

The severe snowstorm has also affected both domestic and international roads. The National Environmental Agency reported that the section of the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi highway between Gudauri and Kobi is at high risk for avalanches. As a precaution, all vehicle traffic in this area has been temporarily suspended.

Similarly, due to avalanche risks, heavy snowfall, poor visibility, and blizzard conditions, traffic has been temporarily restricted for all motor vehicles along the Batumi-Akhaltsikhe road, particularly the resort stretch between Goderdzi and Utkisubani.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise residents and travelers to exercise extreme caution.

Due to regional airspace restrictions, pilots of Flydubai flights operating on the Kazan-Dubai and Moscow-Dubai routes requested to land at Heydar Aliyev International Airport as an alternate airfield.

AzerNEWS reports that the Kazan-Dubai flight safely touched down at 11:25 local time, followed by the Moscow-Dubai flight at 11:43.

In both cases, the safety of passengers and crew was fully ensured. Landing procedures and subsequent operations were carried out in accordance with international aviation standards and safety regulations.

Heydar Aliyev International Airport’s operational infrastructure remains fully prepared to accommodate alternate and transit flights, continuing to serve effectively as a reliable backup airport within the regional air transport system.

The Azerbaijani Championship for teenage boxers has concluded, highlighting the rising talent in girls’ boxing.

Azernews reports that the competition, held at the Boxing Center, crowned champions across nine weight categories.

Nigar Babazad?, Aysel F?r?cova, Aydan Ismayilli, Leyla Mahmudlu, Alsu C?f?rova, C?mil? Muradli, Zöhr? Imanova, Fidan Bakarova, and Xumar C?f?rli emerged as the winners of the U-17 Azerbaijani Championship.

The event showcased promising young athletes who are set to represent Azerbaijan in future national and international competitions.

On Thursday, Meta announced that Instagram will begin warning parents if their child under the age of 16 frequently searches for images related to suicide or self-harm, AzerNEWS reports.

Parents who use Instagram’s parental supervision tools may receive these alerts. According to the company, the new feature is intended to strengthen existing safety measures designed to protect teenagers from potentially harmful content. Instagram emphasizes that it maintains a strict policy prohibiting the promotion or glorification of suicide and self-harm, as reported by NU.nl.

Currently, the platform blocks such search queries and redirects users to support resources, including helplines and mental health organizations. The new alert system is meant to encourage earlier parental involvement and open conversations between parents and teens about online safety and emotional well-being.

Starting next week, users in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada will gain access to the alerts feature. The rollout is expected to expand to other European countries at a later stage.

At the same time, governments are facing growing pressure to introduce stricter regulations on young people’s use of social media, sometimes referred to as an ‘Australian ban’ on access for those under 16. Countries such as France, Denmark, and the United Kingdom are developing plans to limit minors’ access to certain platforms.

Experts note that while technological safeguards are important, open communication within families and improved digital literacy may ultimately play an even greater role in protecting teenagers online.

Iran has agreed not to keep enriched uranium on its territory that could be used to produce a nuclear weapon.

AzerNEWS reports that Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who previously served as a mediator in negotiations between Washington and Tehran, said this in an interview with CBS.

‘I believe the most important achievement is reaching an agreement that Iran will never possess nuclear material for building a bomb,’ he noted.

‘This is something that did not exist in the previous [Iran nuclear deal] reached during the presidency of [the 44th U.S. President] Barack Obama. This is something completely new,’ he added. ‘It makes the enrichment argument less relevant because we are now talking about zero stockpiles. And this is very, very important, because if you cannot keep enriched material, then regardless of whether you enrich or not, you cannot build a bomb,’ he emphasized.

At least 15 people were killed on Friday when a Bolivian military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed while landing near the capital city of La Paz, authorities said, prompting police to repel bystanders grabbing cash, AzerNEWS reports, citing Tribune.

The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules transport plane, veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport and crashed into an avenue, destroying multiple cars and damaging trucks, local media footage showed.

Colonel Pavel Tovar of the National Fire Department told reporters that “between 15 and 16 (dead) people have been counted” in the disaster. “We are recovering the bodies of these people who have sadly suffered in the accident,” he said.

The Ministry of Defense confirmed the crash, without providing further details; it was not immediately known what caused the crash.

Fatalities were recorded both at the airport and on the busy avenue where the crashed plane struck several vehicles. Mangled parts of the aircraft were seen on the roadway while at least two dozen other people were wounded, according to reports.

The Bolivian Air Navigation and Airports authority NAABOL said in a statement that the C-130 departed from the eastern city of Santa Cruz and crashed while landing at the international airport, which suspended its operations.

The C-130 Hercules, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, was carrying Bolivian banknotes, which scattered upon impact. Footage from local media showed police using tear gas to disperse people who approached the crash site to gather the money.

La Paz, at an altitude of 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) and surrounded by Andean peaks, is the highest administrative capital in the world.

Azerbaijan continues to shine on the international judo stage, with one of its athletes securing a spot in the final of the ‘Grand Slam’ tournament in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

AzerNEWS reports that Öm?r R?c?bli (81 kg) has successfully progressed to the final round of the competition.

Meanwhile, Kamran Sleymanov (73 kg), Fidan ?lizad? (63 kg), and Sdab? Agayeva (70 kg) were eliminated today, ending their chances of claiming a medal.

The ‘Grand Slam’ tournament is scheduled to conclude on March 1. Yesterday, ?hm?d Yusifov captured the gold medal, while Balab?y Agayev (both in the 60 kg category) secured silver.

Azerbaijan’s judokas continue to demonstrate their strength and resilience, aiming to bring more medals home from Tashkent.

Saudi Aramco has announced the achievement of significant progress in its plan to expand gas production, with the start of production at the Jafurah field, the largest unconventional gas field in the Middle East, and the commencement of operational activities at the Tanajib Gas Plant, one of the largest gas plants in the world, AzerNEWS reports, citing Arab News.

The oil giant aims to increase its sales gas production capacity by approximately 80 percent by 2030 compared to 2021 production levels, reaching nearly 6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day from total gas and associated liquids production, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

This is expected to generate additional operating cash flows ranging between $12 billion and $15 billion in 2030, subject to future demand for sales gas and liquids prices.

President and CEO of Saudi Aramco, Amin Al-Nasser, said: ‘We are proud to commence production at the Jafurah field and begin operations at the Tanajib Gas Plant. These are major achievements for Saudi Aramco and the future of energy in the Kingdom. Our ambitious gas program is expected to become a key source of profitability.’

He affirmed that these mega-projects contribute to meeting the growing domestic demand for gas, supporting industrialization and development in several key sectors, in addition to producing significant quantities of high-value liquids.

Al-Nasser expressed his gratitude for the support, trust, and attention that Saudi Aramco receives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, crown prince and prime minister, noting that this has had the most profound impact on the company’s achievements and distinguished projects that serve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The gas extracted from the Jafurah field is expected to support the Kingdom’s growth targets in key sectors such as energy, artificial intelligence, major industries, and petrochemicals, potentially providing a major boost to the Kingdom’s economy and strengthening its position among the world’s top ten gas producers.

Saudi Aramco began first producing unconventional shale gas from the Jafurah field in December 2025, with technology playing a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of the Jafurah field and establishing it as a global benchmark for unconventional gas development.

Since its inception, the project has leveraged technology to help reduce drilling and stimulation costs and enhance well productivity, contributing to its strong economic prospects.

The Jafurah area covers 17,000 sq. km and is estimated to contain 229 trillion standard cubic feet of raw gas and 75 billion barrels of condensates. The Jafurah field project aims to produce 2 billion standard cubic feet per day of sales gas, 420 million standard cubic feet per day of ethane, and approximately 630,00 barrels per day of gas liquids and condensates by 2030.

The Tanajib Gas Plant is a key pillar in Aramco’s strategy to increase gas processing capacities and diversify its energy product portfolio, helping to foster long-term economic growth.

Operations began in December 2025, and its raw gas processing capacity is expected to reach 2.6 billion standard cubic feet per day in 2026. The start of operations at the Tanajib Plant coincided with the commencement of production from the Marjan field expansion and development program.

The plant is distinguished by its digital integration, enhanced operational efficiency, capability to execute complex projects, and optimal use of resources. It processes raw gas associated with crude oil production from the offshore Marjan and Zuluf fields.

Aramco’s gas expansion is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities, generating significant added value and strengthening its position as a reliable energy provider.

It also helps meet the growing demand for natural gas and enhances its supply to national industries.

The expansion strategy supports efforts aimed at achieving the optimal energy mix for local electricity generation, advancing the Kingdom’s liquid fuel displacement program, which will have a positive environmental impact, supporting the Kingdom’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, enhancing energy security, and contributing to building a more diversified national economy.

Albanian President Bajram Begaj will pay a visit to Azerbaijan on March 12-14 to participate in the 13th Global Baku Forum.

AzerNEWS reports, the head of state of Albania will take part in discussions dedicated to pressing issues on the international agenda.

The forum brings together heads of state and government, senior officials, and international experts to discuss key global and regional challenges.

The 13th Global Baku Forum is scheduled to be held on March 12-14, 2026, under the theme ‘Bridging Divides in a World in Transition.’ Established in 2013 and organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the forum serves as a platform for current and former heads of state and government, representatives of international organizations, and scholars to discuss regional and global policy issues.

This year’s gathering comes at a time of increased diplomatic activity in the region and is expected to focus primarily on geopolitical transition processes and international security matters.