Category: Azer News

A concert dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Azerbaijani composer Üzeyir Hacib?yli and the 150th anniversary of Lithuanian composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis was held at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic named after M. Magomayev.

Azernews reports that the event began with speeches by Kestutis Vaškelevicius, Lithuania’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan, and Professor Farhad Badalbeyli, Rector of the Baku Music Academy named after Ü. Hacib?yli. They highlighted the diplomatic and cultural ties between the two countries and celebrated the creative legacy of the two distinguished composers.

Following the speeches, cellist ?sm?r K?rimli performed alongside the Üzeyir Hacib?yli Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Lithuanian conductor Vilmantas Kaliunas, delighting the audience with a repertoire honoring both Hacib?yli and Ciurlionis.

The Azerbaijan Basketball League continues today with another exciting clash in the second round of competition. Defending champions Sabah will go head-to-head against NTD in what promises to be one of the standout games of the week.

Azernews reports that the game will take place at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The match is expected to draw considerable attention from basketball fans eager to see whether Sabah can maintain its winning momentum and reaffirm its dominance in Azerbaijani basketball.

So far, Round 2 has produced several dynamic performances. Neftçi secured a commanding 92-68 victory over Shaki, while Ordu convincingly defeated Quba 96-68. Meanwhile, Absheron Lions narrowly edged Ganja in a high-intensity battle, winning 96-94.

The second round of the Azerbaijan Basketball League will officially conclude on October 12, setting the stage for what promises to be a competitive and action-packed season ahead.

As part of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, North Korea held a military parade, Azernews reports.

The parade took place late on the night of October 10 at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital, Pyongyang. Attending the event were North Korea’s Head of State Kim Jong Un, as well as foreign guests visiting for the anniversary, including To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam; Li Qiang, Premier of China; and Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council.

During the parade, a wide range of military hardware was displayed, culminating in the showcase of North Korea’s most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-20. This missile is reportedly capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and has the range to strike any point in the United States.

The demonstration underscores Pyongyang’s ongoing focus on developing strategic weapons and serves both as a display of military strength to domestic audiences and a signal of its capabilities to the international community.

The Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU) – formerly known as the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) – has awarded the title of “Best High-Rise Building in the World 2025” to the ZIN in No(o)rd project in Brussels, Belgium, Azernews reports.

The announcement was made during the Council’s prestigious annual international conference held in Toronto, Canada, where leading architects, engineers, and urbanists from around the world gathered. The 111-meter-tall project was chosen from a pool of entries from 24 countries, recognized for its innovative transformation of a 1970s office complex into a vibrant vertical ecosystem that combines offices, residential units, hotel space, and public areas.

Originally consisting of two separate towers, the site was reimagined into a unified structure through the addition of a third high-rise, seamlessly connecting the existing buildings. The design integrates lush green spaces, cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable materials, turning the project into a flagship example of adaptive reuse and urban regeneration.

A standout feature of ZIN in No(o)rd is its commitment to sustainability. 85% of the original structural mass – including the core and basement levels – was preserved, while over 60% of building materials were reused either on-site or in other projects. This approach not only minimized demolition waste but also dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions, setting a new benchmark for environmentally responsible construction in Europe.

The project’s name, ZIN, is a Dutch word meaning ‘sense’ or ‘purpose’ – perfectly capturing its mission to give new life and meaning to aging infrastructure in a modern, climate-conscious context.

Urban planners across Europe now view ZIN in No(o)rd as a model for large-scale sustainable redevelopment, proving that with smart design and ecological foresight, even outdated buildings can become part of the future cityscape.

An international conference dedicated to the legendary Dede Qorqud epic was recently held at Igdir University in Turkiye.

Azernews reports that the event was organized with the initiative of Azerbaijan’s Consulate in Igdir and supported by the Igdir Azerbaijan House, as well as the administrations of Igdir University and Nakhchivan State University.

Participants of the conference highlighted the epic’s scientific and moral significance, recognizing it as a cornerstone of the cultural heritage of the Turkic world. The event was attended by prominent figures including Azerbaijan’s Consul General in Igdir Zamin Aliyev, Igdir Governor Ercan Turan, Igdir University Rector Ekrem Grel, and Nakhchivan State University Rector Elbrus Isayev.

Opening the conference, Governor Ercan Turan described the Dede Qorqud epic as the cultural code of the Oghuz Turks. He emphasized that the traditions and values expressed in the epic’s stories and songs remain relevant today, noting that the path to strengthening Turkic nations lies in unity and solidarity. Turan also highlighted the close cooperation and dialogue between the Presidents of Turkiye and Azerbaijan as a guarantee for regional peace and stability.

Rector Ekrem Grel discussed how the epic reflects Turkish attitudes toward family and society, encapsulating the broader worldview of the Turkic world. He expressed confidence that the conference, with the participation of distinguished Turkish and Azerbaijani scholars, would inspire new initiatives across literature, history, linguistics, arts, and sociology.

Rector Elbrus Isayev underscored the epic’s role in uniting the Turkic world and encouraged young people to study and appreciate this timeless work. Meanwhile, Consul General Zamin Aliyev stressed that Dede Qorqud is not only a literary masterpiece but also a key element of national identity and spiritual heritage, noting its inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Ziya Zakir Acar, head of ‘Igdir Azerbaijan House,’ highlighted that the epic has been preserved and passed down through generations in both Azerbaijan and Turkiye, instilling core values such as family, love for the homeland, heroism, hospitality, respect for elders, and care for the young. He called on youth to study the epic deeply, emphasizing that ‘a nation without knowledge of its history has no future.’

The conference also featured a video tribute to Professor Kamal Abdulla, Rector of Azerbaijan University of Languages, on his 75th birthday. The event continued with two sessions attended by scholars from Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

As part of the Baku Dialogue on Missing Persons, participants of the international conference titled ‘Combining Efforts and Expanding Cooperation to Resolve the Issue of Missing Persons’ performed prayers at the Zangilan Mosque, Azernews reports.

The conference participants visited the newly constructed mosque in Zangilan as part of their trip to the liberated territories. They were briefed on the mosque’s history and architectural features before offering prayers and reciting supplications inside the mosque.

It should be noted that after Zangilan’s liberation in 2020, the remnants of the historic Imam Hussein Mosque located nearby were restored. The foundation of the new mosque was laid by President Ilham Aliyev on April 26, 2023, and its construction has since been completed.

Azerbaijan produced 7,788 tons of tea in the first eight months of 2025, Azernews reports citing the State Statistics Committee.

Tea production decreased by 5.2 percent, or 428.7 tons, compared to the same period last year. As of September 1, the country’s finished tea stock stood at 84.9 tons.

During the same period, Azerbaijan exported 492 tons of tea worth $4.5 million. Tea exports increased by $90,000, or 2 percent, in value terms, and by 3 tons, or 0.6 percent, in volume compared to the corresponding period of 2024.

Meanwhile, tea imports amounted to 8,861 tons worth $54.5 million, showing an 8 percent (or $4 million) increase in value but a 9.2 percent (902 tons) decrease in volume.

In the first eight months of this year, tea imports accounted for 0.36 percent of Azerbaijan’s total imports, while tea exports made up 0.03 percent of the country’s total exports.

Azerbaijan’s resolute intention to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons and foster sustainable growth is receiving robust support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), reflecting a long-standing and trusted partnership between the two. For decades, ADB has been a vital ally in Azerbaijan’s economic development, and today, its efforts align closely with the country’s strategic priorities – particularly in promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and advancing the green economy.

At the heart of Azerbaijan’s national agenda is the vision outlined in the ‘Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development,’ which positions SMEs as a key driver of inclusive growth and employment diversification. This vision mirrors ADB’s commitment to nurturing SMEs as essential pillars of resilient economies throughout Asia.

These initiatives are particularly important for fostering balanced regional development beyond the capital, unlocking untapped potential across Azerbaijan.

The focus on SMEs is strategic and forward-looking. Globally, SMEs represent over 90% of businesses and are the largest source of employment. In Azerbaijan, empowering these enterprises within the green economy not only supports climate commitments but also enhances competitiveness by encouraging resource efficiency, access to green finance, and compliance with international standards.

However, SMEs often face barriers such as limited access to technology and capital, and gaps in knowledge regarding environmental regulations. ADB’s comprehensive support model – integrating finance, capacity building, and policy engagement – effectively addresses these challenges, maximizing the impact of interventions.

The trust built over years between Azerbaijan and ADB ensures that these initiatives are well-tailored to the country’s unique socio-economic landscape, promising sustainable outcomes that extend beyond short-term gains.

As Azerbaijan accelerates its economic diversification and green transition, the synergy between national priorities and ADB’s support creates a powerful foundation for sustainable growth. By empowering SMEs and fostering innovation, Azerbaijan is charting a resilient and inclusive economic future, while contributing to global environmental goals. This enduring partnership signals confidence in Azerbaijan’s potential as a regional leader in sustainable development.

A trusted partnership driving green growth – Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, Director of ADB’s Azerbaijan office, highlighted this synergy during her address at the ‘Halal Business Forum.’ ‘Our collaboration with the Azerbaijani government, especially the Ministry of Economy and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMBDA), focuses on expanding the private sector and supporting SMEs, which we see as fundamental to both economic vitality and environmental sustainability,’ she explained.

With a dedicated local team and a strategic approach that goes beyond financing, ADB is investing in building business capacity, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating innovation. This holistic strategy is designed to empower SMEs to thrive, generate employment, and foster long-term community well-being.

SMEs in Azerbaijan are increasingly recognized as drivers of the country’s green transition. The Baku Climate Coalition, initiated under the framework of COP29 with ADB’s active involvement, underlines the importance of SMEs in adopting environmentally sustainable business models. The coalition’s declaration prioritizes strengthening SME capabilities and stimulating demand for green solutions, signaling a new phase in Azerbaijan’s climate action.

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMBDA) plays a crucial role by championing alternative energy projects and supporting businesses engaged in recycling and circular economy practices. By promoting SME participation in local and international platforms, SMBDA helps unlock new growth opportunities and markets for these enterprises.

ADB’s country partnership strategy for 2025-2029 further reinforces Azerbaijan’s economic diversification goals by channeling investments toward non-oil sectors such as agriculture, services, and SMEs. This approach aims to build economic resilience, stimulate new job creation, and enhance innovation through digital transformation and skill development.

Events like the CIS Games strengthen friendship and cooperation both within and beyond the Commonwealth, President Ilham Aliyev said during his speech at a limited-format meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council in Dushanbe, Azernews reports.

Referring to the 3rd CIS Games, held in Azerbaijan from September 28 to October 8 in Ganja and six other cities – Gabala, Goygol, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Khankendi, and Sheki – the President emphasized: ‘Such events reinforce friendship and cooperation within the CIS and beyond, contributing to the strengthening of relations based on equality, consideration of mutual interests, and mutual respect.’

A literary discussion has been organized between prominent figures of contemporary children’s literature and young people at the F. Kocharli National Children’s Library, Azernews reports.

In her opening speech, the library director, Shahla Gambarova, emphasized the importance of such meetings in the development of children’s literature.

Writer Aygun Baghirli spoke about the responsibility of authors in promoting children’s literature and the importance of works directed at children that instill educational and moral values. She also added an interactive element to the discussion by paying attention to the ideas and suggestions of the young participants.

As part of the event, interesting questions such as “What is the role of literature in human life?” and “What would life be like without literature?” were addressed to the audience.

Zahid Khalil, a prominent representative of Azerbaijani children’s literature, highlighted the important role literature plays in shaping human thinking. According to him, intuition, which leads to discoveries, is shaped by literature.

Student participants in the discussion emphasized that literature enriches a person’s spiritual world, develops language and empathy skills, and expands the imagination.

The well-known pedagogue-poet Ibrahim Yusifoglu, in his speech, talked about the importance of the press in promoting children’s literature, noting the role of newspapers and magazines such as “Az?rbaycan Pioneri”, “Savalan”, and “Göy?rçin”. Writers Mehriban Naghiyeva, Gulzar Ibrahimova, and Nurlana Ishiq shared their thoughts on the publication of children’s literature works, existing challenges, and the role of publishing houses in this regard. Glzar Ibrahimova pointed out that parents were the first promoters of children’s literature.

During the discussion, information was also presented about the projects implemented by the Republic Children’s Library in this field, including video summaries of books based on artificial intelligence technologies. At the end of the event, writers presented selected copies of their works as gifts to young readers.

The main goal of the event was to increase young people’s interest in literature, discuss the development trends of contemporary children’s literature, and bring together writers with the new generation of readers.