Category: Azer News

On October 21, the joint project ‘Middle Corridor Development’ under the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route was presented with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan. The heads of state received detailed briefings on the project’s objectives and its strategic significance for regional and intercontinental trade.

The Middle Corridor serves as a key transport and logistics route connecting China and Central Asian countries with Europe. Shipments from China to Azerbaijan are steadily increasing and are projected to triple by 2030 compared to current levels, highlighting the corridor’s growing importance. The presentation also included specific initiatives and steps aimed at improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the route.

What exciting opportunities does the “Middle Corridor Development” project hold for the region?

Speaking to Azernews, MP Vugar Bayramov emphasised the project’s potential for regional growth:

‘Both states contribute to the expansion of the Middle Corridor. Transport and logistics cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is considered a strategically important direction that opens up new opportunities for economic growth and integration of regional markets. In 2024, transit transportation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan increased by 20 per cent compared to the previous period, exceeding 3.5 million tons. This is largely due to the increase in the transmission capacity of the Middle Corridor.

‘In recent years, the importance of the Middle Corridor has increased even more. On the one hand, sanctions against Iran are increasing, and on the other hand, ongoing tensions in the Middle East have created difficulties in transporting cargo through the southern route. Also, since sanctions were imposed against Russia, the European Union’s interest in the Middle Corridor has intensified. In 2024 alone, the volume of cargo transported via the Middle Corridor increased by 63 per cent, reaching 4.8 million tons. The transportation of goods from East to West, that is, from Asia to Europe, is increasingly routed through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and brotherly Trkiye.

‘Azerbaijan has played a key role in the expansion of the Middle Corridor. The development of infrastructure, the commissioning of the Alat port, and the widespread use of electronic logistics services have all contributed to the corridor’s growing attractiveness. Furthermore, the expected commissioning of the Zangazur corridor will further increase the Middle Corridor’s importance. Once integrated, it will allow even more goods to flow through Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.’

The joint project demonstrates Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan’s commitment to strengthening regional connectivity, expanding trade, and providing more efficient and secure transport routes between Asia and Europe. As global supply chains continue to adapt to geopolitical and economic shifts, the Middle Corridor is poised to become a central artery in Eurasian commerce.

The Republic Children and Youth Development Center has hosted an awarding ceremony for the winners of the 5th Azerbaijan Astronomy Olympiad, Azernews reports.

The event aimed to increase interest in astronomy in Azerbaijan, promote wider inclusion of this science in the education system, and ensure the international representation of talented students.

Gold, silver, and bronze medals, diplomas, and gifts were presented to the winners.

Since 2016, the Republic Children and Youth Development Center, together with the Tusi-Bohm Planetarium, the only planetarium in the South Caucasus has initiated astronomy-oriented programs for school students.

The preparation for the Olympiad was also carried out under the main sponsorship of the Tusi-Bohm Planetarium.

The Olympiad, organized among 9th to 11th-grade students of general education institutions, registered 1,200 participants for the national round. More than 100 students demonstrated their knowledge and skills in the final stage, which consisted of two phases. According to the Organizing Committee’s decision, 7 students were awarded first place, 11 students second place, and 10 students third place.

The winners of the 5th Azerbaijan Astronomy Olympiad were invited to preparatory courses for the 18th International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (IOAA 2025). These preparatory lessons were organized at the Center by experts from Baku State University and the Republic Children and Youth Development Center.

As part of the preparation, a special training camp was also held at the Nasreddin Tusi Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory.

The winning team of the Olympiad successfully participated in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (IOAA 2025), held from August 11 to 21 in Mumbai, India. The team won a total of 2 bronze medals and 2 honorable mentions in the Olympiad, which included both theoretical and practical rounds.

The bronze medals were awarded to Ogtay Latifli, an 11th-grade student of the Physics, Mathematics, and Informatics Lyceum in Baku, and Mahammad Jafarli, a 10th-grade student of the Technical Humanitarian Lyceum in Baku. The honorable mentions were given to Raiq Babazade, a 10th-grade student of the Physics, Mathematics, and Informatics Lyceum, and Aqil Guleliyev, an 11th-grade student of the same lyceum.

The team’s participation in the International Olympiad was supported by the Institute of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The organizers of the Olympiad were Baku State University, the Institute of Education, the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory, the Republic Children and Youth Development Center, and the Amateur Astronomy Society Public Association.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev shared a post on his social media accounts regarding his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Azernews presents the post:

The price of Azerbaijan’s Azeri Light crude oil at Italy’s Augusta port (CIF basis) fell by $0.34, or 0.55%, to $61.83 per barrel, compared to the previous rate, Azernews reports.

At Turkiye’s Ceyhan port (FOB basis), Azeri Light also declined by $0.34, or 0.56%, settling at $59.91 per barrel.

Meanwhile, the price of Urals crude dropped by $0.37 (0.75%) to $48.70 per barrel, and Dated Brent, produced in the North Sea, decreased by $0.34 (0.56%) to $60.57 per barrel.

Azerbaijan’s 2025 state budget is based on an assumed average oil price of $70 per barrel.

Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova is on a working visit to Geneva to attend the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Azernews reports.

Gafarova chaired the ongoing discussions at the Assembly today, which featured statements from parliamentary representatives of Australia, Colombia, Mozambique, Serbia, Libya, Finland, Hungary, Spain, Trkiye, Uruguay, Belgium, and several other countries.

During the first day of deliberations, Gafarova addressed the Assembly on the topic ‘Upholding humanitarian norms and supporting humanitarian action in times of crisis,’ emphasizing the importance of parliamentary cooperation in promoting peace and ensuring humanitarian protection during global emergencies.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), established in 1889, is a global organization uniting national parliaments to advance peace, democracy, and sustainable development. Headquartered in Geneva, the IPU provides a platform for parliamentarians worldwide to engage in dialogue, exchange experiences, and strengthen legislative action on international challenges.

On October 21, the second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Supreme Interstate Council was held in Astana with the participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijan’s Olympic judo champions Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg) and Zelym Kotsoiev (100 kg) have moved into the world’s top three rankings following their outstanding performances at Guadalajara Grand Prix 2025, Azernews reports.

International Judo Federation (IJF) has published updated world rankings based on the tournament results.

The Azerbaijani national team took first place in the overall medal standings with nine medals.

The gold medalists were Balabay Aghayev (60 kg), Ruslan Pashayev (66 kg), Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg), Vusal Galandarli (81 kg), Zelym Kotsoiev (100 kg), and Ushangi Kokauri (+100 kg). Bronze medals went to Ahmad Yusifov (60 kg), Rashid Mammadaliyev (73 kg), and Murad Fatiyev (90 kg).

In the 73 kg category, Hidayat Heydarov advanced three places to third in the world rankings with 4176 points.

Shahram Akhadov (Uzbekistan, 4523 points) and Tatsuki Ishihara (Japan, 4500 points) hold first and second places, respectively. In the same category, Rashid Mammadaliyev rose two spots to fifth place with 3917 points.

Olympic champion Zelym Kotsoiev (100 kg) also moved up three places and now ranks second with 5118 points. The ranking leader is Matvey Kanikovskiy, representing IJF, with 5550 points.

In the 60 kg category, Balabay Aghayev climbed four places to sixth with 3356 points, while Ahmad Yusifov surged 14 spots to 12th with 2360 points.

In the 66 kg category, Ruslan Pashayev rose 11 places to fourth with 3171 points. In the 81 kg category, Zelim Tskaev moved up two places to third with 4265 points, and Vusal Galanderli jumped over 145 spots to 52nd with 812 points.

In the 90 kg class, Eljan Hajiyev (3651 points) maintained his second place, while Murad Fatiyev (2546 points) climbed 13 spots to seventh.

Among heavyweights, Ushangi Kokauri advanced seven places and now ranks seventh with 3436 points.

The Guadalajara Grand Prix 2025 took place in Mexico, bringing together 231 judokas from 33 countries.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art across the country. The President of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation is Rashad Nabiyev.

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, Zelym Kotsoiev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.

At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, judokas Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg) and Zelym Kotsoiev (100 kg) earned gold medals for Azerbaijan.

The U-23 World Wrestling Championships have kicked off in Novi Sad, Serbia, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijani Greco-Roman wrestlers competed on the opening day of the tournament.

Ziya Babashov (63 kg) defeated Miruto Tokuhika (Japan) 7:1, Mohammad Navi (Iran) 3:1, and Dorji Shungurtsikov (Russia) by the criteria rule (1:1) to advance to the semifinals. In this round, he will face Servet Angi of Turkiye.

Other Azerbaijani wrestlers, Davud Mammadov (77 kg) and Lachin Valiyev (87 kg), lost their opening bouts.

Aykhan Mardanov (130 kg) won his first match by fall against Shuangyu Chen (China) to reach the quarterfinals, but was then defeated 0:9 by Aleksandr Melekhov (UWW).

Note that the Azerbaijani team includes Elmir Aliyev (55 kg), Ilkin Gurbanov (60 kg), Ziya Babashov (63 kg), Faraim Mustafayev (67 kg), Ruslan Nurullayev (72 kg), Davud Mammadov (77 kg), Elmin Aliyev (82 kg), Lachin Valiyev (87 kg), Ali Guliyev (97 kg), and Aykhan Mardanov (130 kg).

They are competing at the tournament under the leadership of head coach Aleksandr Tarakanov, senior coach Rovshan Bayramov, and coaches Hasan Aliyev and Kamran Mammadov.

The female athletes representing Azerbaijan are Asmar Jankurtaran (50 kg), Elnura Mammadova (53 kg), Gultakin Shirinova (55 kg), Nargiz Samadova (57 kg), Gunay Gurbanova (59 kg), Birgul Soltanova (62 kg), and Ruzanna Mammadova (65 kg).

Women wrestlers have entered the competition under the leadership of acting head coach Togrul Asgarov, senior coach Aghahuseyn Mustafayev, and coach Solmaz Adilova.

Freestyle wrestlers will compete in the final days of the tournament, including Muhammadali Alizade (57 kg), Jeykhun Allahverdiyev (61 kg), Aykhan Abdullazad? (65 kg), Kanan Heybatov (70 kg), Magomed-Bashir Khaniyev (74 kg), Farid Jabbarov (79 kg), Ali Tsokayev (86 kg), Sadig Mustafazade (92 kg), Zafar Aliyev (97 kg), and Khetag Karsanov (125 kg), under the leadership of head coach Khetag Gazyumov, senior coach Jabrayil Hasanov, and coaches Taymuraz Kokoyev and Sharif Sharifov.

The World Championship is officiated by Category I referee Asif Shiraliyev, as well as Category I referees Kamran Aliyev and Habib Nurulu.

Wrestling remains the most popular sport in the country and is governed by the National Wrestling Federation, established in 1993.

The Rio Olympic Games marked a new chapter in Azerbaijan’s wrestling history, as the nation became one of only two countries ever to increase its medal count in five consecutive Olympic Games.

In 2020, Azerbaijani freestyle wrestlers finished third in the overall medal table of the Individual World Cup in Serbia.

National wrestlers won two medals, including silver and bronze. Russia topped the medal table, followed by Turkiye.

In 2022, Azerbaijani wrestler Osman Nurmagomedov (92 kg) was crowned the World Champion in Belgrade.

Nurmagomedov became the World Champion after defeating the Russian wrestler in the final.

At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Greco-Roman wrestler Hasrat Jafarov (67 kg), freestyle wrestlers Giorgi Meshvildishvili (125 kg) and Magomedkhan Magomedov (97 kg) won bronze medals for Azerbaijan.

On October 21, a ceremony for the exchange of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan documents took place in Astana, with the participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Azernews reports.

First, Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the ‘Joint Statement of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan’, the ‘Decision No. 1 of the second meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan on strengthening bilateral cooperation’, and the ‘Decision No. 2 of the second meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the approval of the Charter of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan’.

Following the signing, the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan documents were exchanged.

The opening of the Zangazur Corridor could take place by the end of 2028, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during a joint press statement with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Azernews reports.

‘In addition to all that we are currently planning and implementing, the Zangazur Corridor project holds enormous potential. Within Azerbaijan, all work on road and rail infrastructure will be completed by the middle of next year. We hope that in other countries the work will proceed at the same pace, and in that case, the opening of the Zangazur Corridor could occur by the end of 2028,’ the President pointed out.