Category: Azer News

The Charter of the Academy of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan has been amended, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s degree programs at the mentioned academy and passed the final state certification will be awarded a badge in addition to a diploma.

The animated film ‘Zootopia 2’ has earned $632 million in China, setting a new record for Hollywood films in the country, Azernews reports.

Previously, the highest-grossing Hollywood movie in China was the superhero blockbuster ‘Avengers: Endgame’ in 2019, which earned around $629 million.

Globally, ‘Zootopia 2’ has surpassed $1.7 billion at the box office, making it the second-highest-grossing animated film in history, trailing only behind ‘Nezha Defeats the Dragon King.’

The film continues the story of Judy Hopps, the determined rabbit police officer, and Nick Wilde, the clever fox. In this sequel, they confront a cunning snake named Gary, who attempts to steal a mysterious book that could restore his reputation. While chasing the thief, Judy and Nick become targets of a police manhunt themselves. In the process of hiding, they uncover that the true villain committed a murder in Zootopia to obtain the same book, setting the stage for a thrilling adventure filled with twists and clever detective work.

Experts note that the film’s record-breaking success in China highlights not only the country’s growing influence on the global box office but also the increasing appetite for high-quality, family-friendly animated stories with clever plots that appeal to both children and adults.

After months away from the international stage, the Azerbaijan national futsal team roared back onto the court, proving their skill and resilience with a statement-making performance, Azernews reports.

In a thrilling friendly match, they overcame Denmark 4-2, showing resilience, skill, and teamwork that could set the tone for the competitions ahead.

Farid Abbasov, a key player for Azerbaijan, described the win as a key to future games:

Speaking after the match, Abbasov expressed gratitude to the fans who supported the team:

“It was a game decided by a two-goal difference. In the first match, our mistakes were decisive, and the opponent took full advantage, resulting in our defeat. Considering that the national team hadn’t played for over eight months, and new players had been brought into the squad, some errors were understandable. The head coach analyzed the game and showed us our mistakes, providing instructions for the second match,” the futsal player said

“We did our best to fight, and the outcome was excellent for us. Scoring a goal and providing an assist were results of fulfilling the tasks assigned to me. The coach always advises that if you believe in yourself and your ability to beat an opponent, you should try and use your individual qualities. During the assist, I saw I could get past the defender and went all the way. This victory is a key for our future matches. The main thing is to believe in ourselves and work hard,” he added.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced that Brazil will grant exemptions from certain categories of short-term visas to Chinese citizens, in reciprocity for China’s visa exemption policy for Brazilian nationals, Azernews reports citing Xinhua.

According to an official statement, the decision was made in the context of deepening cooperation between Brazil and China, with the aim of further facilitating people-to-people exchanges and promoting bilateral interaction.

The Brazilian government said the specific implementation date of the visa-free policy will be announced at a later time.

Within “From Inclusive Education to an Inclusive Society” initiative, Baku Slavic University (BSU) has launched a professional training program on “Inclusive Banking” for the staff of Bank Respublika’s Customer Service Department, Azernews reports. The program was conducted in response to an official request from the bank.

The training aimed to introduce the concept of inclusivity in the banking environment, encourage staff to approach customer behavior from different perspectives, and emphasize the importance of designing service processes based on human rights, flexibility, and customer-centric principles.

The program was delivered in two modules. The first module, “Inclusive Bank: A Customer-Centered Approach,” focused on understanding the needs of diverse clients.

The second module, “Inclusivity in Customer Service: Communication, Accessibility, and Safe Service,” addressed practical strategies to ensure accessible and equitable service for all.

During the sessions, trainers explored the underlying causes of customer behaviors often described as “difficult,” “problematic,” “silent,” or “irritable,” including physical, psychosocial, and cognitive factors. Participants were also reminded that inclusive banking is not an act of charity but a service standard grounded in fairness and functionality.

The interactive format allowed participants to engage in situational exercises and discuss real-life scenarios encountered in the workplace. Both visible and invisible disabilities were highlighted to foster awareness and empathy among staff.

The program concluded with a satisfaction survey, giving participants an opportunity to provide feedback on the training.

The final session is scheduled for February 4 at BSU, where survey results will be reviewed, and participants will receive certificates of completion, formally recognizing their new competencies in inclusive banking.

The Azerbaijan Institute of Education has announced a competition for the training of school methodologists as part of efforts to organize modern methodological support in general education institutions for the 2026-2027 academic year, Azernews reports.

Teachers from Baku and various regions of Azerbaijan are invited to participate. Eligible candidates include teachers of Azerbaijani Language and Literature, Azerbaijani Language (State Language), Primary School, English, French, German, Russian (Foreign Language), Russian Language and Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Informatics, Visual Arts, Technology, Music, and History who wish to serve as in-school methodologists.

Candidates must have a pedagogical education, at least five years of teaching experience, and a certification score of 51 or higher (for those who have taken the certification exam). In addition, ICT skills are required, and proficiency in a foreign language is considered desirable.

Registered candidates who meet these requirements will be invited to the interview stage. Those who successfully pass the interview will participate in the ‘Methodologist Training’ program. Teachers who have not taken the certification exam but successfully pass the interview may also be included in the training, depending on their certification score.

The exhibition “Inspired by Czechia” has opened at Fabrica Gallery, showcasing the results of a creative workshop held as part of the Ambassadors Cultural Club project, Azernews reports.

The event was jointly organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijan, Arts Council Azerbaijan, and the NGO S?yah?t.

The exhibition brings together works created by Azerbaijani artists during the workshop. The showcased artists include Leylifer Museibova, Nigar Muslimova, Oksana Kazimova, Asmer Asadi, Leyla Orujova, Eldar Babazadeh, Naila Maharramova, Roya Hasan, Aidan Mammadli, Nargiz Guliyeva, Tarana Aliyeva, Raul Sadigov, Sevinj Ahmad, and Ulviya Kheyrullazade.

At the opening ceremony, Dadash Mammadov, head of Arts Council Azerbaijan, spoke about the exhibition’s mission to further develop cultural bridges between countries, highlighting the artists’ contributions to the successful implementation of the project.

Czech Ambassador Milan Sedlácek emphasized the productive nature of cultural cooperation within the framework of the project, expressed gratitude to the participants, and presented the artists with certificates.

During the event, Dadash Mammadov was awarded a diplomatic commemorative badge of the Czech Republic, along with a corresponding certificate, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening cultural ties between the two countries.

The “Inspired by Czechia” exhibition stands as a successful outcome of joint cultural collaboration and marks another important step in strengthening cultural relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic.

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

Azerbaijan continues to assert itself as a key player in the global energy sector. Its oil resources have long been central to regional and international markets, Azernews reports citing the State Customs Committee.

In 2025, the country maintained strong export activity despite fluctuations in global oil prices.

Last year, Azerbaijan exported approximately 23.4 million tons of crude oil and oil products. The total value of these exports exceeded 12.1 billion dollars.

This represents a slight decline in monetary terms compared to the same period in 2024.

Revenues fell by 2.3 billion dollars, or sixteen point two percent. However, the volume of exports grew by 215 thousand tons, or zero point nine percent. This growth reflects continued robust production in the country.

Italy remains the top importer of Azerbaijani oil. The country took in 13.1 million tons worth 6.7 billion dollars.

It is followed by the Czech Republic, which imported 1.4 million tons valued at 742.2 million dollars. Croatia imported 1.3 million tons, exceeding 666.6 million dollars in value.

Azerbaijani oil is transported to neighboring countries and global markets through three main pipelines: Baku-Novorossiysk, Baku-Supsa, and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC). Currently, transport via the Baku-Supsa pipeline has been suspended.

Despite the slight drop in revenue, the continued increase in export volumes highlights Azerbaijan’s resilience in the global energy market.

Strong demand from key European partners further reinforces the country’s role as a reliable energy supplier.

Country Import Volume (tons) Import Value (USD)

Italy 13,111,475.61 6,727,698,250

Czech Republic 1,405,059.25 742,159,080

Croatia 1,255,021.16 666,587,010

Romania 1,122,055.58 598,454,150

Germany 956,716.48 502,018,650

Portugal 803,374.35 430,730,820

Greece 702,354.87 367,729,040

United Kingdom 648,255.19 336,954,560

Ireland 577,056.93 289,696,230

Tunisia 432,028.56 227,895,520

The seventeenth round of the Azerbaijan Premier League wraps up today, with two matches scheduled to close the tour, Azernews reports.

The first match will see Turan Tovuz host Sumqayit. Although the game will take place at Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium at 16:00, Turan Tovuz will be the nominal home team.

Later in the day, Sabah will face Karvan-Yevlax at home. Kickoff is scheduled for 18:30.

Fans can expect an exciting finish to the seventeenth round as teams continue their push in the league standings.

The Azerbaijan Premier League was first organized in 2007 and succeeded the Top Division, which existed from 1992 to 2007. FC Qarabag won the title in the 2022-2023 season for the tenth time.

The 2024-25 Azerbaijan Premier League marks the 33rd season of Azerbaijan’s top-tier football competition.

On April 27, 2025, during the 32nd round of the Premier League, Qarabag FC clinched the title with four matches to spare after a 1-1 draw against Sabah.

This victory made them the champions for the 12th time overall and for the fourth consecutive season.

This season is the final one featuring 10 teams, as the league will expand to 12 teams starting from the 2025-26 season.

bp, on behalf of its partners in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Shah Deniz and South Caucasus Pipeline projects – SOCAR, TPAO, LUKOIL, SGC, NICO, MOL, INPEX, ExxonMobil, ITOCHU, ONGC Videsh, Eni, MVM and TotalEnergies, has announced the successful completion of an important social project aimed at supporting the promotion of the non-conformist movement in Azerbaijani fine arts that emerged in the 1960s, Azernews reports.

As part of the project, bp and its partners have financed the renovation and modernization of special exhibition halls at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art dedicated to the display of works by the country’s prominent non-conformist artists.

The renovation work is aimed at improving both the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the halls, installing modern lighting systems and preparing wall surfaces accordingly, ensuring the display and storage of these valuable works in optimal technical and visual conditions in accordance with international museum standards.

As part of the project, 800 square meters of walls, 400 square meters of ceilings, and 330 square meters of floors were renovated, and advanced lighting systems were installed for at least 150 works of art, and 150 new wooden frames were prepared in accordance with museum standards.

Works by 20th-century Azerbaijani non-conformist artists form a significant part of the museum’s collection. The nonconformist visual art movement, active from the 1960s to the 1980s, was formed as a movement against the restrictions imposed by the socialist realism of the Soviet era, rejecting it and making a significant contribution to the creation and development of the Absheron School of Art. Among the leading representatives of the movement are world-famous artists Mirjavad Mirjavadov, Ashraf Murad, Tofig Javadov, Rasim Babayev, Gorkhmaz Efendiyev, Kamal Ahmad, and the main representative of avant-garde sculpture, Fazil Najafov.

bp’s Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye, Gio Cristofoli made a speech at an event held at the National Museum of Art today to mark the public launch of the project.

“We are proud to support initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Azerbaijan.

The project we are presenting today directly contributes to the promotion of the Azerbaijani non-conformist school of fine arts.

One of the gratifying moments is that the museum’s thoroughly renovated halls are now equipped with the necessary equipment to adequately present the magnificent heritage of Azerbaijani non-conformist artists, which allows these unique works to be presented to visitors in their fullness and aesthetic beauty. The renovated halls and installed modern equipment serve to make the amazing beauty of this cultural heritage more vivid, and to make these valuable works more accessible to the public in all their magnificence of all their shades and subtleties. We hope that this project will be a significant contribution to giving the creativity of non-conformist artists the high appreciation they deserve, both in the country and internationally,” he emphasizeds

The project, with a total value of 358,089 manat ($210,640), was implemented by Greentech Solutions LLC.

bp has been operating major oil and gas exploration, development, and transportation projects in Azerbaijan for 33 years, and has successfully implemented these projects in a safe, efficient, and reliable manner. To date, bp, together with its partners, has invested more than $87 billion in projects it has implemented in the country. In Azerbaijan, we are committed to supporting sustainable development initiatives by focusing on areas where we believe we can make the most contribution.

bp’s extensive social investment activities and skills development efforts in the country have brought significant benefits to people, improving and transforming their lives.

The company’s social investments focus on areas such as local capacity building, education, community development, local entrepreneurship, the environment, increasing sports potential, and exploring and promoting the country’s rich cultural heritage. Since its inception, bp has spent a total of more than $111 million on social investment projects in the country, on behalf of itself and its operating joint venture partners.

bp employs approximately 2,389 Azerbaijani nationals in Azerbaijan, representing more than 90 percent of the company’s skilled workforce.