Category: Azer News

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 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.

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

On January 26, the weather in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula is expected to be partly cloudy, occasionally overcast, and mostly dry, Azernews reports citing the National Hydrometeorology Service.

However, light drizzle is possible in some areas during the night and evening. A southwest wind will gradually shift to a mild northwest wind by the evening. Nighttime temperatures are expected to range from 1 to 3°C, while daytime highs will reach 6 to 10°C. Atmospheric pressure is forecasted at 766 mmHg, with relative humidity between 70 and 80 percent.

Across Azerbaijan, conditions will generally remain dry. In the evening, some eastern regions may experience rainfall, and mountainous areas could see snowfall. Fog will occur occasionally in certain locations, while a moderate west wind may occasionally strengthen.

Night temperatures across the regions are expected between -2°C and 3°C, with daytime highs of 8 to 12°C, while in the mountains, nights will be -3 to -8°C, with daytime temperatures between 0 and 5°C.

Drivers should exercise caution, as ice is expected on roads in some mountainous areas during the night and early morning.

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) kept the official exchange rate of the Azerbaijani manat against the U.S. dollar unchanged this week, Azernews reports.

The weighted average rate at the end of the week stood at 1.7 manat per dollar.

Meanwhile, the official exchange rate of the manat against the euro rose by 0.0201 manat, while the weighted average increased by 0.0095545 manat to reach 1.988725 manat per euro.

The manat also strengthened against 100 Russian rubles, with the official rate climbing by 0.0663 manat and the weighted average rising by 0.4121 manat to 2.20715 manat.

In contrast, the manat weakened slightly against the Turkish lira, as the official rate fell by 0.0001 to 0.0392 manat per lira, and the weighted average rate declined by the same amount to 0.03928 manat.

No exchange rate data were published on January 20, which is observed as a National Day of Mourning in Azerbaijan and is a non-working day.

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.

Within the 2026 Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme between the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry and NATO, a course on “Communication, Information Systems and Cyber Operations” has been conducted in Baku by the Mobile Training Team of NATO Allied Land Command Headquarters in Izmir, Turkiye, Azernews reports citing Azerbaijan Defense Ministry.

The main objective of the course organized at the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev was to enhance the theoretical and practical knowledge of servicemen in the fields of communication, information systems and cyber operations, to teach the application of modern technological solutions, methods, and tools, as well as to familiarize participants with NATO standards and procedures in these areas.

During the course, NATO’s Mobile Training Team delivered briefings on communication, information technologies, cybersecurity and other topics, and conducted theoretical and practical training sessions.

At the end of the course, the participants were awarded certificates.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) has received multiple reports through the “112” hotline indicating that a number of citizens had become stranded in their vehicles due to icy road conditions in the Fuzuli district, Azernews reports. This situation prompted an immediate response from the relevant authorities.

In reaction to these urgent notifications, firefighters and rescuers from the Fuzuli District Fire Protection Unit were quickly mobilized and dispatched to the affected area to provide necessary assistance.

Therescue teams were able to assist vehicles, including Jeep and Mitsubishi cars, which were unable to continue moving because of the ice-covered roads, ensuring that the drivers and passengers could safely resume their journeys while receiving the required support and aid from the emergency personnel.

In 2025, SME Houses, centers providing a full range of services to entrepreneurs under one roof, delivered a total of 543,033 services. These services were provided to small and medium-sized business owners across Azerbaijan, Azernews reports citing the Small and Medium Business Development Agency.

Most requests were related to essential business documentation and tax matters, highlighting the practical support these centers provide to the entrepreneurial community.

Nearly 327,000 services were provided by the Baku SME House, over 131,000 by the Yevlax SME House, around 18,000 by the Khachmaz SME House, and more than 67,000 by the service center at the Food City Agropark in Khachmaz.

Of the services delivered, approximately 496,000 were provided by government agencies (G2B), while over 47,000 came from business entities (B2B), demonstrating a seamless collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Entrepreneurs most often turned to SME Houses for permits related to cargo transport, certificates of origin, business registration and tax matters, as well as access to customs, utilities, and banking services.

Satisfaction among entrepreneurs remained impressively high, with 98 percent expressing approval of the services received.

SME Houses operate under the structure of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency and provide access to more than 400 essential G2B and B2B services offered by over 50 state and private institutions, covering every aspect of running a small or medium-sized business.

Note that SME Houses (Small and Medium Enterprise Houses) are one-stop service centers created to support entrepreneurs by providing both government (G2B) and business (B2B) services in a single location. They are part of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency and aim to make business registration, licensing, tax, customs, utilities, banking, and other services faster, easier, and more transparent.

Currently, SME Houses operate in cities including Baku, Khachmaz, and Yevlakh, with regional service points in places like Khudat. They offer over 400 services from nearly 50 state and private institutions, helping entrepreneurs handle essential paperwork, permits, and business support efficiently.

The centers also provide training, startup support, and additional facilities for new businesses. Citizen satisfaction with SME House services is extremely high, around 98 percent, highlighting their success in strengthening Azerbaijan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.