Category: Azer News

An international scientific conference titled ‘Founders and Lessons of the First Turkology Congress: History and Modernity’ is being held in Baku to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the landmark First Turkology Congress.

As reported by AzerNEWS, a century has passed since the historic First Turkology Congress convened in 1926 in the Azerbaijani capital – an event that played a pivotal role in the development of global Turkology studies.

The conference is taking place in the Grand Assembly Hall of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences on Istiglaliyyat Street, the same venue where the original congress was held from February 26 to March 6, 1926, in what is now the Presidium building of the Academy.

As noted in the official decree signed on October 22, 2025, by Ilham Aliyev on celebrating the 100th anniversary of the First Turkology Congress, Baku hosted the historic event in the early 20th century due to its distinguished intellectual environment and its recognition as one of the leading centers of global Turkology.

The revival of the congress in Baku is seen as opening broad prospects for strengthening cooperation and expanding ties among Turkic peoples who share common historical roots and national-spiritual values.

The conference has brought together representatives and scholars from Trkiye, Northern Cyprus, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, highlighting the continued relevance of Turkic unity and academic collaboration.

It is worth noting that the 80th and 90th anniversaries of the First Turkology Congress were also commemorated at a high level in accordance with presidential decrees.

On February 27, an official luncheon was given in honor of Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed Ali and First Lady Zinash Tayachew on behalf of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, AzerNEWS reports.

Khatai Arts Center will host the opening of the “Winter Tale” art competition project, AzerNEWS reports.

The project is held under the motto “Touch Nature, Depict Its Mystery” and is organized for children, teenagers, and young people aged 8 to 21.

More than 1,000 applications were received from various regions, and participants submitted over 1,500 artworks dedicated to winter themes.

The submitted works reflect scenes of winter evenings, winter landscapes, the mood created by snowy weather, snow-covered scenery, the “winter sleep” of nature, and imaginative winter compositions. The selected artworks will be presented in turn at the Khatai Arts Center.

The exhibition will be held on March 3, March 4, and March 5, with visiting hours at 12:00 and 16:00.

Each participant whose work is exhibited will receive a certificate. In addition, the authors of the 30 best works will be awarded commemorative gifts. The artworks will not be returned; they will become part of the collection of the Khatai Children’s Art Gallery and will be used for exhibitions and participation in cultural events.

It is also noted that schoolchildren from Estonia are participating in the exhibition. Their works will be printed by the organizers, displayed as part of the exhibition, and the authors will receive certificates.

The organizers express confidence that the “Winter Tale” exhibition will help foster a respectful attitude toward nature among the younger generation, draw attention to environmental protection issues, and reveal the creative potential of children and youth.

The selected works and their authors can be viewed at the following link:

The organizers of the project are Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, Azerbaijan State Art Gallery, Khatai Children’s Arts Gallery and Khatai Arts Center.

The event is supported by Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting, Khatai District Executive Power and Artists’ Unionof the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az,Day.Az and Milli.Az.

The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will serve as the next strategic platform for Azerbaijan to present its urban development experience to the international community.

As reported by AzerNEWS, the statement was made by Gulshan Rzayeva, Deputy National Coordinator of WUF13 and Deputy Head of Office at the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during a press conference in Baku dedicated to preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum.

Rzayeva emphasized that cities play a constructive role in addressing climate change and remain central to sustainable development efforts.

‘At the global level, key challenges in urban planning, country experiences, and practical solutions will be presented. At a time when urbanization is accelerating, housing provision stands at the forefront of the agenda,’ she noted.

According to UN forecasts, nearly 3 billion people worldwide face housing shortages or lack adequate housing conditions.

Rzayeva described WUF13 as a strategic opportunity for Azerbaijan:

‘WUF13 is the next major strategic platform for Azerbaijan. It will allow us to present our best practices – those that can serve as a model for other countries. Invitations have been sent to UN member states. At the same time, local participation in the forum is equally important.’

She also spoke about the strategic importance of WUF13 for Azerbaijan, expectations regarding its international impact, national-level preparations for the event, and the declaration of 2026 as the ‘Year of Urban Planning and Architecture’ in the country.

WUF13 is expected to bring together policymakers, urban planners, international organizations, and development experts to discuss sustainable urbanization, climate resilience, and housing solutions worldwide.

The price of Azerbaijan’s Azeri Light crude rose at Italy’s Port of Augusta, increasing by $1.32, or 1.85 percent, compared to the previous session to reach $72.78 per barrel on a CIF basis, AzerNEWS reports.

A source in the oil market told Trend that at Trkiye’s Port of Ceyhan, the price of Azeri Light on an FOB basis climbed by $1.20, or 1.74 percent, to $70.13 per barrel.

Meanwhile, the price of Russia’s Urals oil increased by $0.33, or 0.87 percent, to $38.31 per barrel.

The benchmark Dated Brent, produced in the North Sea, also posted gains, rising by $1.25, or 1.77 percent, to $72.04 per barrel.

Under Azerbaijan’s 2026 state budget projections, the average oil price is set at $65 per barrel.

Green financing is accelerating across member states of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program, with growing activity also observed in Azerbaijan, AzerNEWS reports, citing a new report by the CAREC Institute.

According to the report, Azerbaijan entered the green finance market through the issuance of a green bond worth $11.8 million by UNIBANK, marking a notable step in mobilizing sustainable capital.

The CAREC Institute identifies Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as leading countries in the field of green financing within the region.

‘The CAREC program participants with developing economies, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and others, have demonstrated relatively stable GDP growth over the past decades. However, high dependence on fossil fuels, low efficiency of energy systems and outdated industrial infrastructure lead to a high carbon intensity of the economy: CO2 emissions per unit of GDP are among the highest in the world,’ the report states.

It notes that many CAREC countries, particularly Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, remain heavily reliant on fossil fuel production and exports.

‘As a major exporter of fossil fuels, Azerbaijan faces serious challenges in decarbonizing its economy. Green financing is aimed at supporting the development of solar and wind energy. In 2022, the country launched a 230 MW solar power project in a public-private partnership with Masdar, supported by international climate finance,’ the report emphasizes.

The document also underlines the role of public-private partnerships in advancing green infrastructure.

‘Successful examples in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan show that transparent tendering processes, risk mitigation tools and international support can leverage private investment in clean energy and sustainable transport,’ the report concludes.

Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has met with prominent opera singer, educator, State Prize laureate, and People’s Artist Khuraman Gasimova, AzerNEWS reports citing the Culture Ministry.

The meeting included discussions about reforms being implemented to align arts education with modern standards.

Khuraman Gasimova highly praised the importance of assessing the professional competence and skills of teachers working in arts schools and centers. She noted that the development of arts education is directly linked to the professionalism of instructors.

“Unfortunately, until now, the professional qualifications of teachers working in this field had not been evaluated. Although this step has come late, we are pleased that the process has finally begun. As someone who has worked in arts education for many years, I can say that these reforms will certainly bear fruit in the near future,” she said.

The People’s Artist also welcomed the steps being taken to ensure the cultural sector develops in line with modern challenges and stressed her readiness to share her knowledge and experience in this direction.

The meeting also featured an extensive exchange of views on the overall development of the arts sector in the country.

On February 27, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held an expanded meeting with Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, AzerNEWS reports.

Following the meeting, in the presence of President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Gedion Timothewos signed the ‘Agreement on Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in the Field of Defense’ and the ‘Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Organization of the Thirty-Second Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP32) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.’

Additionally, during the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s visit to Azerbaijan, the ‘Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,’ the ‘Memorandum of Understanding between the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission of Ethiopia,’ the ‘Memorandum of Understanding between the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ethiopian Investment Commission,’ and the ‘Memorandum of Understanding between Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting CJSC and the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation’ were also signed.

Hillary Clinton told a congressional panel Thursday that she ‘had no idea’ about the crimes of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, while calling for President Donald Trump to answer questions under oath regarding his past association with Epstein.

As reported by AzerNEWS, speaking to reporters after a six-hour closed-door deposition before the House Oversight Committee, Clinton said she was eager for the full truth to emerge.

‘I want to see the truth come out,’ she said, expressing disappointment that her testimony was not made public. ‘So I wouldn’t have to be out here characterising it for you.’

Clinton said she appreciated Committee Chairman James Comer for raising what she described as significant questions about the direction and scope of the investigation, and for allowing her to outline areas she believes warrant further scrutiny.

‘That was a reassuring way to end a very long, repetitive deposition,’ she said.

Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, is scheduled to testify Friday. The couple had initially resisted a subpoena from the committee, dismissing the probe as politically motivated, but agreed to comply as potential contempt-of-Congress proceedings loomed.

Clinton also criticized Republican members of the panel, saying they had not questioned other witnesses about Epstein or his convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Clintons and Trump have denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein, whose ties to prominent political and business figures have drawn intense scrutiny in recent years.

A seminar for members of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation’s Refereeing Committee has been conducted by Daniel Lascau, Sports Director of the International Judo Federation Academy, AzerNEWS reports.

The event featured extensive discussions on evaluation criteria, the application of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, and the correct interpretation of controversial situations.

In his speech, Daniel Lascau emphasized the importance of improving refereeing quality at international tournaments, noting that such educational seminars organized by national federations play a key role in the professional development of referees.

Through interactive presentations and practical examples, he answered participants’ questions and analyzed real competition scenarios.

National-level and internationally certified referees took part in the seminar. At the end of the event, participants were awarded relevant certificates.

The main goal of the training session was to enhance referees’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills, explain the latest updates to international rules, and ensure a unified approach to match officiating.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art worldwide.

The President of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation is Rashad Nabiyev, who also serves as the Minister of Digital Development and Transportation.

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, Zelim Kotsoev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.