Category: Azer News

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has been approved, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant law.

According to the law, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer of October 15, 2016, has been approved.

The Embassy of Venezuela in Azerbaijan has hosted a conference titled ‘Venezuela, Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace’ in Baku.

According to Azernews, the event brought together representatives of public organisations, journalists, and civil society members to discuss Venezuela’s foreign policy, regional cooperation, and efforts to promote peace and stability across Latin America and the Caribbean.

In his remarks, Venezuela’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Christopher Martinez, highlighted his country’s historical experience and contemporary realities. He emphasised Venezuela’s commitment to strengthening peace and cooperation across the region, despite enduring economic and political pressure.

The ambassador drew attention to the challenges Venezuela has faced as a result of sanctions imposed by certain states, stressing that his government remains determined to defend the nation’s sovereignty and independence.

‘Despite external challenges, Venezuela continues to develop international partnerships with many countries around the world,’ Martinez said. ‘It has not been easy, but our nation has successfully resisted foreign threats.’

The diplomat underlined that Venezuela’s foreign policy remains focused on promoting peace and good-neighbourly diplomacy. ‘We are not seeking hostility with other nations. Venezuela is a peace-loving state,’ he stated. ‘However, when it comes to our sovereignty, we are ready to respond decisively. Some states are attempting to seize our natural wealth, as our country is rich in resources such as oil, gas, gold, and other valuable minerals.’

Moreover, verified UN and US data show that the false narrative against Venezuela is part of a new phase of the failed ‘regime change’ policy, which has now escalated into a military threat. Venezuela demands an immediate end to these aggressions and reaffirms its unwavering will to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace, fully exercising its rights under the UN Charter.

The statement also underscored that the defence of the Constitution has guided the preservation of peace and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people. Venezuela, it said, has inspired other nations, defended democracy in the region, and promoted Latin American unity through initiatives such as ALBA-TCP. The vitality and strength of Venezuelan democracy remain a key factor in defending freedom and regional stability.

The conference underscored Venezuela’s message of peaceful coexistence and regional solidarity amid ongoing global geopolitical tensions.

Shares of Chinese tech giant Xiaomi plunged by 7.5% during trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Monday, following media reports of a serious traffic accident involving its new SU7 electric vehicle, Azernews reports.

According to reports from Chinese media outlets and eyewitness accounts shared on social media, the incident took place in Chengdu, a major city in southwestern China. The vehicle allegedly crashed and caught fire, with video footage showing bystanders frantically attempting – but failing – to open the car doors to rescue the driver. The intensity of the fire raised concerns about the safety design of the vehicle, particularly its electronic locking system.

While initial reports confirm that the driver was inside the vehicle at the time of the accident, it remains unclear whether there were any passengers. Local authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding casualties or the possible cause of the crash.

The SU7, Xiaomi’s debut electric sedan, was launched earlier this year to much fanfare, touted as a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model 3. The car gained attention for its sleek design, impressive range, and deep integration with Xiaomi’s smart ecosystem. However, this incident could deal a serious blow to public confidence in the brand’s automotive ambitions.

Industry analysts say that while the investigation is still ongoing, the negative publicity surrounding the accident may impact short-term sales and pose a challenge to Xiaomi’s entry into the competitive EV market.

The Azerbaijani Cartographers Public Union has completed the preparation of a detailed map of the Zangezur Corridor, the strategic transport route linking mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azernews reports.

According to the Union’s chairman, Mugabil Bayramov, the map was created using high-resolution satellite imagery as its base layer to ensure geographical precision and visual clarity.

Bayramov noted that the map illustrates the relevant sections of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Iran, including residential settlements, highways, rivers, and mountain ranges along the corridor’s route. The Araz Corridor, another key regional transport connection, is also featured on the map.

The cartographic work has been produced in both Azerbaijani and English, highlighting its significance not only for national use but also for international research, academic, and policy reference.

On October 14, delegations led by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk, and Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mehrdad Bazrpash (Farzana Sadiq per translation) jointly inspected key infrastructure facilities of the North-South International Transport Corridor in the city of Astara, Azernews reports.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers, the delegations visited the automobile bridge over the Astarachay River on the Azerbaijan-Iran border, which was inaugurated in December 2023.

The bridge’s throughput capacity reaches 1,000 freight vehicles per day – 500 entries and 500 exits – significantly easing cargo flow between the two countries.

The officials then reviewed the ongoing construction of the Southern Freight Terminal in the Iranian city of Astara, owned by Azerbaijan Railways. The terminal’s current annual cargo handling capacity of 1 million tons is planned to increase to 5 million tons once expansion works are completed by the end of 2025.

The visit also included an inspection of the Rasht-Astara railway construction site in Iran – a strategically vital segment expected to enhance connectivity along the North-South corridor, strengthening regional trade and logistics cooperation among Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran.

Favorable conditions are being created for employment and entrepreneurial activity in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories, with plans to open tens of thousands of new jobs, Azernews reports.

This was stated by Mammad Musayev, President of the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation, at the 30th Anniversary Caspian Construction Week.

He noted that the ‘Great Return’ program to Azerbaijan’s liberated territories is already being implemented in practice:

“Over the past two years alone, hundreds of infrastructure projects, including airports, highways, railways, and energy centers, have been commissioned in the Garabagh and East Zangazur economic regions. Favorable conditions are being established for employment and entrepreneurship, with tens of thousands of new jobs planned.

Declaring Garabagh a ‘green zone’ and implementing projects on alternative and renewable energy further strengthens confidence that Azerbaijan will become a green energy exporter.”

Musayev emphasized that the BakuBuild and Rebuild Garabagh exhibitions are not only business platforms but also symbols of joint solidarity, cooperation, and confidence in the future for the reconstruction of Garabagh.

“As the Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation, we are ready to support all efforts for the restoration of Garabagh, the development of entrepreneurship, and the strengthening of our country’s economic power,” he added.

Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system will officially reach its end of support on October 14, 2025, Azernews reports.

From that date onward, Microsoft will no longer provide technical assistance, security updates, or feature improvements for Windows 10. Although the operating system already installed on devices will continue to function, using it beyond this point poses significant risks.

Microsoft has warned that continuing to use Windows 10 after support ends is dangerous because the absence of security updates will leave systems more vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks. The company strongly recommends upgrading to Windows 11 to ensure ongoing protection and access to the latest features.

According to Statcounter, Windows remains the dominant desktop operating system worldwide, holding more than 70% of the global market share. Among the different Windows versions, Windows 10 still leads with nearly 59% usage, while Windows 11 accounts for about 38%.

Despite Windows 11 being available since late 2021, many users and organizations have been slow to upgrade, partly due to hardware requirements and user familiarity with Windows 10. This transition period highlights the challenges Microsoft faces in encouraging widespread adoption of its latest OS.

The Azerbaijani men’s chess team has played their latest match at the European Team Chess Championship, held in Batumi, Georgia, Azernews reports.

In the 8th round, the team faced Ukraine. The national team won 2.5:1.5, bringing their total points to 13 and rising to the top of the standings. The victory for the team was secured by Shakhriyar Mammadyarov.

Rauf Mammadov, Aydin Suleymanli, Mahammad Muradli, and Eltaj Safarli all ended their matches in a draw.

If the Azerbaijani team wins the final round, they will become European champions for the fourth time, regardless of the results in other matches. The Azerbaijani women’s team is currently facing Romania.

The European Team Chess Championship features separate Open and Women’s sections, with each competition consisting of 9 rounds played under a Swiss system.

The chess tournament showcases 75 teams, including 39 in the Open tournament and 36 in the Women’s Championship.

Chess, for centuries, has been a popular game in Azerbaijan with ancient roots closely related to traditions. The country could preserve these traditions as chess remains a crucially popular sport for now.

To popularise this original game, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, who is also the chairman of the National Olympic Committee, signed in 2009 an executive order initiating a state-supported chess development program, covering the years 2009-2014.

The 42nd Chess Olympiad, held in Baku, is indeed an excellent example of great attention paid to the development of chess games in the country.

The large-scale event attracted a total of 1,587 participants, including 894 in the Open category and 693 in the Women’s event, making the Baku Chess Olympiad a significant event.

Similarly, the FIDE World Chess Cup 2023 in Baku captivated chess fans with its high-calibre competition and exhilarating matches.

Featuring a highly competitive lineup, the World Cup provided an exciting venue to display the remarkable skill and strategic finesse of elite chess players.

Approximately 206 competitors participated in the open section, along with 103 players in the women’s competition.

The national chess players have always been taking high places at top-ranked tournaments.

Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan share deep-rooted cultural ties, grounded in their common history, language, and traditions.

Both countries have consistently worked to reinforce these relationships, promoting mutual respect and understanding through a range of cultural initiatives.

Turkmenistan Culture Days stand as a shining example of the robust cultural partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, highlighting their shared heritage and dedication to enhancing mutual understanding through joint cultural efforts.

This event highlights the ongoing partnership between the two nations and their dedication to strengthening cultural ties.

The official opening ceremony of Turkmenistan Culture Days took place at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Deputy Culture Minister Murad Huseynov expressed his pleasure at hosting Turkmenistan Culture Days in Azerbaijan. He noted that the peoples of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are united by shared history, cultural roots, and unwavering friendship.

Murad Huseynov emphasized that the high level of relations between the two countries creates favorable conditions for the peoples to better understand one another, for the expansion of cultural exchanges, and for the realization of joint projects in the future.

In his address, Nursahat Shirimov, Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan, stressed the significance of developing cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. He stated that the holding of Turkmenistan Culture Days in Azerbaijan contributes to strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples. Nursahat Shirimov also expressed hope that cultural cooperation would continue to grow in the future.

Academician Isa Habibbayli, President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, remarked that the common history and cultural roots of the two peoples have led to the development of their cultures over millennia, and these cultures continue to be closely interconnected today.

“Our unity and brotherhood are always evident. Our cultures and literatures have developed as a reflection of our shared values. This is the most vivid manifestation of the centuries-old unity between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in the modern era,” the Academician emphasized.

Following the speeches, the guests were introduced to a photo exhibition showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people. In addition, samples of Turkmenistan’s music, national costumes, decorative-applied arts, and museum exhibits were on display.

A concert program was then presented, featuring Turkmen dances and musical performances.

Turkmenistan Culture Days, which will continue until October 15, include events in both Baku and Ganja.

A trilateral meeting between Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia was held in Baku on October 13, 2025, bringing together Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk, and Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash, Azernews reports.

The sides discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in the fields of transport, energy, and customs. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint Communiqué outlining key directions for strengthening regional connectivity and advancing shared infrastructure projects.

The communiqué reaffirmed satisfaction with ongoing trilateral cooperation and highlighted the guiding role of the 2016 Declaration and the 2017 Joint Statement of the presidents of the three countries in promoting mutually beneficial economic, trade, and transport ties. The sides emphasized the importance of enhancing the region’s transit potential, accelerating infrastructure projects, and coordinating efforts to expand the ‘North-South’ international transport corridor.

The participants underscored the goal of increasing freight volumes along the corridor to 15 million tons and agreed to establish a Working Group to prepare an Action Plan for implementation within three months. Additionally, a special Working Group on automobile transportation, including representatives of customs, border, and transport agencies, will be formed.

The signing of the charter of the trilateral working group on customs cooperation was also welcomed, aimed at facilitating transit transportation between Azerbaijan, Iran, and Russia. The sides stressed the importance of completing major infrastructure components of the corridor, such as the Rasht-Astara railway line, the Agband-Kalala highway bridge over the Araz River, and new border checkpoints.

Efforts to simplify border crossing procedures and digitalize customs and transport operations were also discussed. Furthermore, the parties agreed to continue technical consultations on the project to interconnect their electricity networks and to conduct a joint on-site inspection of key infrastructure projects of the North-South corridor on October 14, 2025.

The Communiqué was formally adopted in Baku on October 13, 2025.