Category: Azer News

A meeting has been held to discuss the scientific and scientific-technical activities of the Digital Folklore and Artificial Intelligence Department of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) Folklore Institute for 2026, AzerNEWS reports.

Hikmat Guliyev, Director of the Folklore Institute and acting head of the Digital Folklore and Artificial Intelligence Department, Doctor of Philology, emphasized that digital transformation processes and the application of artificial intelligence create new tasks and challenges for scientific institutions. He specifically noted the necessity of applying these approaches in the field of folklore studies.

The agenda of the meeting included issues raised at the conference on the “New Digital Architecture of Azerbaijan,” chaired by President Ilham Aliyev, and dedicated to the unified action plan. It was highlighted that the formation of a nationwide digital governance model, integration of information resources, and the application of artificial intelligence technologies should be considered priority directions in the work of scientific institutions.

The meeting also discussed the department’s scientific and scientific-technical activity plan for 2026. It was noted that the department’s priority areas include studying new virtual socio-cultural dynamics created by digital transformations based on socio-anthropological approaches to folklore and researching various aspects of Internet folklore.

Moreover, the development of the architecture of the National Digital Folklore Database, the application of artificial intelligence in research processes, and the analysis of scientific-theoretical issues were identified as key directions in the activity plan.

It was emphasized during the meeting that the department’s work is not limited to digitalization and the application of artificial intelligence. It also covers strengthening the integration of electronic scientific information databases across the Institute, as well as organizing seminars and training in this field. The department’s activities involve not only scientific researchers but also engineers-programmers and specialists working in electronic information systems management and other technical areas.

Sarkhan Khaveri, Head of the Science and Education Department of the ANAS Presidium, Doctor of Philology; Deputy Director for Scientific Work, Afaq Ramazanova; Scientific Secretary Elchin Abbasov; and other staff emphasized that the tasks facing the department are of significant importance for organizing the Institute’s activities at the level of modern challenges and requirements.

The closing ceremony of the 25th Winter Olympic Games has been held in the Italian host cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, officially bringing the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics to a spectacular conclusion, AzerNEWS reports.

For the first time in history, the closing ceremony of such a major international sporting event was held at a venue included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, adding special symbolic significance to the occasion. The ceremony was marked by vibrant artistic performances and memorable cultural presentations celebrating both sport and Italian heritage.

At the conclusion of the event, the Olympic flag was formally handed over to France, which will host the 2030 Winter Olympic Games, continuing the tradition of passing the Olympic mantle to the next host nation.

The 2026 Winter Olympics featured 116 medal events across 16 sports, seven more than at the Beijing 2022 Games. The program was expanded with several new competitions, including mixed team skeleton, men’s and women’s moguls, as well as alpine skiing sprint and team events. However, the mixed team alpine skiing event was not included in this edition of the Games.

In the overall medal standings, Norway finished in first place, confirming its traditional dominance in winter sports. United States ranked second, followed by Netherlands in third place.

Azerbaijan at 2026 Winter Olympic Games

Azerbaijan was represented at the 25th Winter Olympics by Vladimir Litvintsev in figure skating and Anastasia Papatoma in alpine skiing (slalom).

In men’s singles figure skating, Vladimir Litvintsev took to the ice for Azerbaijan. He earned 63.63 points in the short program and placed 29th overall, which did not allow him to advance to the free skate segment of the competition. Despite not qualifying for the final round, his participation marked another Olympic appearance for the skater on the international stage.

Azerbaijan was also represented in alpine skiing by Anastasia Papatoma in the women’s slalom event. She completed both runs with a combined time of 2:09.15, finishing 51st among 95 competitors. Her performance contributed to Azerbaijan’s continued presence in Olympic winter sports.

An all-female combat unit of the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) says it is preparing for potential confrontation with Iran, according to the group’s commanders, AzerNEWS reports.

PAK, a Kurdish-Iranian armed organization operating in exile in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, has long opposed the government of the Iran. The group maintains bases in northern Iraq near the Iranian border.

During the January unrest in Iran, referred to by Kurdish groups as an uprising, PAK claimed it carried out attacks against Iranian security forces. In response, Tehran launched drone and missile strikes targeting several Kurdish opposition groups based in Iraq, accusing them of fomenting instability inside Iran.

PAK commanders now say they are preparing for a broader confrontation, should renewed civil unrest erupt in Iran or in the event of a potential external military escalation involving the United States.

Iran has repeatedly warned that it will not tolerate cross-border militant activity and has previously conducted operations against Kurdish armed factions it considers terrorist organizations. Kurdish groups, for their part, argue they are resisting political repression and defending minority rights.

There has been no official indication of imminent large-scale escalation, but regional tensions remain elevated amid ongoing security concerns along the Iran-Iraq border.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said nuclear talks with the United States have produced ‘encouraging signals’, but warned that Tehran is prepared for any scenario in advance of another round of negotiations set for Thursday.

His comments on Sunday came amid mounting fears of a military conflict, with Washington building up its military presence in the Gulf and US President Donald Trump warning of ‘really bad things’ if no deal is reached on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

‘Iran is committed to peace and stability in the region,’ Pezeshkian wrote on X.

‘Recent negotiations involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals. However, we continue to closely monitor US actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario,’ he said.

The cautious optimism came after Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed a third round of indirect talks between the two sides in Geneva, Switzerland.

‘Pleased to confirm US-Iran negotiations are now set for Geneva this Thursday, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalising the deal,’ said al-Busaidi, who acts as a mediator in indirect talks between Washington and Tehran.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has issued a decree identifying Azerbaijani citizens who will be called up for active military service and those to be released to the reserve, AzerNEWS reports.

The decree outlines the call-up for active military service from April 1 through 30, 2026, and the release of conscripts who have completed their term.

The decree specifies that citizens born in 2008 who have reached the age of 18 by the day of conscription, as well as those born between 1996 and 2007 who are under 30, have not completed active military service in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, and are neither eligible for deferment nor exempt from conscription, will be called up for active service from April 1 through 30, 2026.

Additionally, active servicemen who have fulfilled the service period specified in Article 38.1.1 of the Law on Military Duty and Military Service will be released to the reserve during the same period.

Officials from Azerbaijan’s Information and Communication Technologies Agency (ICTA) and Georgia’s telecom regulator, the Communications Commission (ComCom), held a high-level meeting to discuss regional cooperation in telecommunications security, AzerNEWS reports.

During the talks, Tural Zarbaliyev, Director of ICTA’s Regulatory Department, raised concerns over a recent surge in fraudulent calls targeting Azerbaijan. He noted that most of these calls originate from numbers that imitate Azerbaijan’s national numbering format but are presented with Georgia’s international dialing code, +995.

The discussions focused on potential measures to prevent such fraud, with both sides exchanging ideas on practical solutions. Officials emphasized that expanding bilateral cooperation would make a significant contribution to ensuring regional telecom security.

It was also highlighted that meetings like this help establish rapid information-sharing mechanisms, identify risks in a timely manner, and coordinate joint actions.

Strengthening regional collaboration against cyber fraud and spoofed calls, sharing best international practices, and aligning technical capabilities were underlined as key steps toward developing sustainable solutions in the field.

Major General Mursal Ibrahimov, Head of the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription has met with citizens from Sumqayit, Absheron, Khizi, Jabrayil, Gubadli, Shusha, and Zangilan at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Khirdalan to hear their concerns and requests, AzerNEWS reports.

The day began with a visit to the monument of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, where General Ibrahimov and participants laid a wreath in tribute and paid their respects to his memory.

During the meeting, 26 citizens, including four families of martyrs and one war veteran had their appeals addressed. Citizens inquired about matters such as mandatory military service, employment opportunities, and the assignment of their children’s future military service locations.

General Ibrahimov personally listened to each appeal and issued instructions to ensure that all issues were thoroughly reviewed and resolved promptly in accordance with the law.

Some of the citizens’ requests were addressed immediately, while others were taken under supervision for further review. Appeals outside the jurisdiction of the State Service were referred to the relevant authorities.

A telephone conversation was held between Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, AzerNEWS reports.

The discussion centered on matters arising from the strategic partnership between the two countries. The sides explored opportunities to expand both bilateral and multilateral cooperation agendas.

They also addressed the regional and international security environment of mutual interest.

In addition, the two ministers exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East. They discussed issues stemming from the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peac ein Washington. Other topics of shared concern were also reviewed.

Temporary ban on the export of mineral fertilizers from Kyrgyzstan outside the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (except for the customs procedure of customs transit and humanitarian assistance provided by the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan) has been imposed for a period of six months, AzerNEWS reports citing Kabar.

The relevant decision was signed by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev.

The ban does not apply to mineral fertilizers that were subject to export, were previously imported from third countries and do not meet the established quality requirements.

Relevant government agencies have been instructed to take necessary measures to prevent the illegal export of certain types of mineral fertilizers.

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and the Union of Turkic Ski Resorts (UTSR) have held a high-level meeting to explore the role of ski resorts and sports events in advancing winter tourism, AzerNEWS reports.

The event brought together officials, industry leaders and tourism experts to discuss strategies for cooperation, shared initiatives, and creating a unified approach to promoting winter sports destinations across Turkic-speaking states.

The meeting focused on leveraging winter sports and resort infrastructure as key drivers for economic growth, international visibility, and cultural exchange.

In his address, Mirvohid Azimov, Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, noted that tourism cooperation within the Turkic world has entered a new phase. He pointed out that winter tourism and winter sports competitions play a significant role in the economies of Turkic-speaking countries.

“Implementing joint projects, organizing collaborative competitions, and establishing unified tourism routes are of strategic importance,” Azimov said. He added that one of the Organization’s priority goals is to transform Turkic states into an integrated, internationally competitive tourism hub.

Orkhan Badalov, Secretary General of the Union of Ski Resorts of Turkic-Speaking Countries, stressed the importance of strengthening coordination among ski resorts.

“Exchanging experience and implementing joint marketing initiatives will contribute to the creation of a shared tourism brand. Our main objective is to develop sustainable cooperation mechanisms among member resorts, improve service quality, and make the Turkic world a leading destination for both winter and summer tourism,” Badalov explained.

Kenan Guluzaade, Advisor to the Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Tourism Agency, stressed the special role of international sports competitions in promoting winter tourism.

“Organizing winter sports events in cooperation with international federations and organizations has become a key marketing tool to showcase our country’s tourism potential. These events also positively shape the national image. Meetings like this provide an important platform to deepen experience-sharing among Turkic states, increase awareness about events, promote joint initiatives, create unified communication strategies, and strengthen mutual support,” he said.

During the meeting, participants discussed a range of topics, including developing a joint marketing strategy for winter and mountain tourism, promoting investment opportunities, training personnel, expanding cooperation, and other related issues. The event also featured the official presentation of the Union of Ski Resorts of Turkic-Speaking Countries’ website.

Note that Azerbaijan is becoming a popular place for winter tourism, thanks to its modern ski resorts and exciting sports events. Shahdag Mountain Resort, located in the Greater Caucasus, is the country’s main winter destination.

Shahdag has hosted international events such as the Ski Mountaineering World Cup, the Azerbaijan Open International Alpine Skiing Tournament, and the Heydar Aliyev Cup in snowboarding. Investments in snowmaking, slope maintenance, and modern facilities make it a reliable destination for both competitions and recreational skiing.

The resort offers much more than skiing. Visitors can enjoy snow tubing, zip lines, quad biking, pedestrian lifts, VR zones, and family-friendly activities. There are hotels, restaurants with local and international food, spa services, and other facilities to make every visit comfortable and fun. New slopes and services are being added regularly to host more international competitions and attract even more visitors.

Other resorts, like Tufandag in Gabala and Agbulag in Nakhchivan, offer additional skiing options, winter activities, and scenic mountain adventures. Tufandag provides ATV quad bike tours and mountain climbing, while Agbulag adds variety for visitors seeking adventure. Together, these resorts help Azerbaijan grow as a winter tourism hub in the region.

Winter entertainment in Azerbaijan is not limited to skiing. Ice skating is becoming popular, with rinks where families and figure skating enthusiasts can enjoy the sport. Visitors can also relax in cozy cafes with warm food and drinks after skating or other activities.

Azerbaijan attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year to its winter resorts. The country’s winter resorts provide thrilling slopes, adventure activities, and family-friendly entertainment, all supported by modern facilities, making the country a perfect destination for every type of traveler.

Shahdag Mountain Resort continued to see strong visitor growth in 2025. Between January and June 2025, the resort welcomed 170,785 tourists, a 35  percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year. During this period, hotels in the resort recorded 90,890 overnight stays, reflecting rising interest in both tourism and extended stays.

In terms of overall tourism trends for 2025, Azerbaijan remained a growing destination. From January to September 2025, the country received 1,381,709 foreign visitors, with the largest numbers coming from Russia and Turkiye.

The 21st Universal Postal Union (UPU) Stamp Competition for 2026 has officially launched, featuring an international display of contemporary stamps from various countries, AzerNEWS reports.

The competition is organized in an exhibition format: stamps issued in recent years by UPU member countries are presented at international philately exhibitions, and visitors can vote for their favorite country stands using QR codes.

The first showcase took place at the Dubai 2026 World Stamp Exhibition.

Azerbaijan was represented by Azerpost LLC, part of the AZCON Holding group, exhibiting its modern stamps. The Azerbaijani stand featured releases commemorating the 165th anniversary of the Caspian Sea Shipping Company, the 65th birthday of Ujal Haqverdiyev, and the 200th anniversary of Mirza Gadim Iravani, along with other issues reflecting the country’s history and national identity.

The exhibition also hosted business meetings between UPU member countries and partner organizations. Sitara Huseynova, Head of the Stamp Department at Azerpost and Chairperson of the World Association for the Development of Philately (WADP), attended the meetings, where discussions focused on expanding international philatelic cooperation, promoting modern stamps, and exploring partnership opportunities.

Notably, stamps presented as part of the 21st UPU Competition will continue to be showcased throughout 2026 at prestigious international philately exhibitions in the USA, China, the United Kingdom, and Monaco.