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Azerbaijan has hosted a high-level roundtable at the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) dedicated to Victory Day, exploring the evolution of human settlements from prehistoric shelters to modern smart cities and sustainable communities.

Titled From Early Shelters to Modern Smart Cities: The Evolution of Human Settlements, the event was initiated by Azerbaijan’s Permanent Mission to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organisations. It was organised in partnership with the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, UNOG, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and UN-Habitat, with support from Azerbaijan’s National Commission for UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture.

The discussions brought together diplomats, representatives of international organisations and urban development experts. Participants reviewed the outcomes of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Baku from May 17 to 22, and explored ways to implement its outcome document, the Baku Call to Action, at global, national and local levels.

Opening the event, Azerbaijan’s Permanent Representative and Ambassador, Rovshan Sadigbayli, highlighted the importance of WUF13 and emphasised the role of people-centred urban development, reliable institutions, transparent governance and modern technologies in building sustainable communities.

He traced the historical development of settlements in Azerbaijan, from the ancient Azykh and Taghlar caves to contemporary smart cities and villages. He noted that although technologies and living conditions have evolved over centuries, people’s fundamental needs for security, community and a sense of belonging have remained unchanged.

The ambassador also presented Azerbaijan’s Great Return Programme as an example of innovative and people-centred reconstruction in liberated territories. He highlighted ongoing development projects in Agali village and the cities of Fuzuli, Aghdam, Zangilan and Lachin, while drawing attention to the international significance of Azerbaijan’s ASAN service model.

Speaking at the opening session, Charlotte Lindberg Warakaulle, Director of the UN Library and Archives in Geneva, and Azerbaijani Ambassador Nargiz Gurbanova, Director of the Department for Multilateral Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also addressed participants.

Gurbanova highlighted large-scale reconstruction efforts under the Great Return Programme, the importance of humanitarian demining and Azerbaijan’s cooperation with UN-Habitat. She noted that Azerbaijan had identified demining as its 18th national Sustainable Development Goal.

She also discussed cooperation with UN-Habitat on integrated settlement planning in Eastern Zangazur and presented the Smart and Sustainable Settlements for Safe Return Package, introduced during WUF13. Azerbaijan’s urban climate initiatives under its COP29 Presidency and its contribution to regional urban cooperation through the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) were also highlighted.

A dedicated session on WUF13 featured online contributions from Gulshan Rzayeva of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and Anna Soave, Head of the UN-Habitat Country Office in Azerbaijan. Discussions focused on the global housing crisis, affordable housing, inclusive urban planning and international cooperation in implementing the Baku Call to Action.

Further presentations examined the practical implementation of the outcome document. Representatives of UNECE, the International Telecommunication Union and the United Nations Environment Programme highlighted the importance of strengthening local governance, responsibly applying artificial intelligence and digital technologies, improving climate resilience and promoting environmental solutions.

The discussions were moderated by Ventzeslav Sabev, Deputy Director of the University of Geneva’s Global Studies Institute’s Observatory on Security, and included an interactive exchange involving diplomatic representatives from Uzbekistan and Trkiye.

Alongside the roundtable, participants visited a photo exhibition tracing Azerbaijan’s settlement history from prehistoric Azykh and Taghlar caves and the ancient rock shelters of Gobustan to modern smart cities and villages. The exhibition also showcased reconstruction projects in liberated territories and highlighted efforts to provide returning residents with safe, sustainable and modern living environments following the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

A promotional video dedicated to WUF13 was also screened. The exhibition will remain open to visitors at the UN Office in Geneva until November 13.

The event concluded with a presentation of traditional Azerbaijani sweets, offering guests an opportunity to experience the country’s cultural heritage alongside discussions on its urban development priorities.

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement marking the anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatrk, the founder of the Republic of Trkiye.

“Today marks the anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatrk, the founder of the Republic of Trkiye and a distinguished statesman.

We remember Atatrk, a great figure who left an indelible mark on world history, with deep reverence and respect,” the ministry said in a post on social media X.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that there is currently no need for major combat operations against Iran, arguing that the economic sanctions are “devastating” the Iranian economy. He repeated that the US remains open to a peace agreement and is not discouraging mediation efforts, but that Tehran is “apparently not ready to make a deal.” He insisted that the conflict has not reached a stalemate and that the US is increasing pressure on Iran by the compounding effect of sanctions.

Rubio also commented on the trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, telling reporters that Washington wants to ensure that Ukraine “never feels threatened” once the war is over. He added that European officials are “right beside” the US delegation, although they did not take part in negotiations, and that the trilateral format should eventually expand to include the European Union in order to reach a peace settlement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is calling US President Donald Trump every day, urging him to resume military operations against Iran.

The Financial Times reported this, citing sources familiar with the matter.

According to one source, both inside and outside the White House, those opposed to reigniting the conflict are urging Trump to prioritise negotiations with Tehran. Regional leaders are also encouraging the US president to avoid further escalation and pursue a diplomatic solution.

It was also noted that Netanyahu had been regularly calling Trump to press for the continuation of military operations.

The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, on the night of July 8, the United States resumed large-scale strikes against Iran, accusing Tehran of violating the terms of the agreements regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz has visited the Azerbaijan Pavilion established in Antalya as part of the COP31 climate conference.

Yilmaz met with Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, during the visit and toured the pavilion to learn more about its activities and exhibits.

The meeting focused on Azerbaijan-Trkiye relations, the current state of bilateral cooperation, and opportunities for further collaboration.

Yilmaz highlighted the importance of Azerbaijan’s experience in hosting COP29 for Trkiye’s preparations to organize COP31. He also expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for its support and assistance throughout the preparatory process.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected on Tuesday recent allegations by the French government about Iran taking part in cyberattacks targeting supermarket refrigerators and freezers in France and across Europe.

“These baseless claims by the French government amount to a smokescreen for its weakness in governance and its inability to meet the demands of its people. France’s failures in fixing the weaknesses of its national administrative systems are so severe that it cannot even control the temperature of its refrigerators, and it is now trying to shift the blame onto foreign actors by leveling vile accusations,” the ministry stressed in a statement.

Furthermore, Tehran warned that it would not hesitate to take “necessary measures” in order to protect its national interests and security against “unlawful foreign actions,” after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot vowed earlier today to take “necessary” safeguards against Iran.

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has completed the technology selection process for a new polyethylene production complex with an annual capacity of 850,000 tonnes in Aliaga, Trkiye, as part of its $7 billion petrochemical investment programme.

SOCAR Chief Engineer Rovshan Khalilov announced that the facility will be developed under the company’s Petrochemical Master Plan, which aims to expand production capacity and modernise petrochemical infrastructure in Trkiye.

According to Khalilov, US-based Univation Technologies LLC, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical, has been selected as the technology licensor for the project.

The new facility will utilise UNIPOL PE technology for polyethylene production, marking a key stage in the development of SOCAR’s planned petrochemical complex.

The project is expected to strengthen the production capabilities of Petkim Petrokimya Holding, the Turkish petrochemical company in which SOCAR Trkiye holds a controlling stake.

$70 million engineering phase underway

The technology selection follows the launch of Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) activities in September 2026 under SOCAR’s broader petrochemical investment programme.

A total of $70 million has been allocated for the engineering and design phase, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.

The FEED stage will support the technical planning and development of the proposed production facilities before subsequent phases of project implementation.

SOCAR’s Petrochemical Master Plan envisages approximately $7 billion in investments to expand and modernise its petrochemical operations in Trkiye.

The programme includes the construction of new production facilities alongside the upgrading and expansion of existing industrial infrastructure.

The planned polyethylene complex in Aliaga represents one of the major projects within this investment framework, with its projected annual capacity of 850,000 tonnes expected to significantly increase the group’s petrochemical production potential.

Petkim remains central to SOCAR’s Turkish operations

Founded on April 3, 1965, Petkim Petrokimya Holding is one of Trkiye’s leading petrochemical producers and a major component of SOCAR’s industrial investments in the country.

The company operates in Aliaga, an important petrochemical and industrial centre on Trkiye’s Aegean coast.

Through its controlling interest in Petkim, SOCAR has established a significant presence in the Turkish petrochemical sector.

The latest technology selection marks another step in the implementation of SOCAR’s long-term investment strategy, which seeks to expand production capacity and strengthen the integration of its petrochemical operations in Trkiye.

The overall $7 billion programme is intended to support the development of new manufacturing capabilities while improving the efficiency and competitiveness of existing facilities.