Global energy overhaul needed to limit warming to 1.5°C by 2030, says Minister

A large-scale transformation of the global energy system is essential if the world is to keep global warming within the 1.5°C target by 2030, said Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov during the Baku Climate Action Week, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the event, Shahbazov outlined the scale of change required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

‘To stay on track with the Paris Agreement, the world must increase its renewable energy capacity to 11,000 gigawatts by 2030, expand energy storage to 1,500 gigawatts, build or upgrade 25 million kilometers of power grids, and develop new energy corridors connecting generation and consumption centers,’ the minister stated.

He noted that while 582 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity – referred to as “green power” – was added globally in the past year alone, this is not enough to meet the required pace of change.

‘According to IRENA, a 16.6% annual growth rate in renewable capacity is needed to achieve these targets,’ Shahbazov emphasized.

The minister also pointed out that a sustainable energy transition cannot succeed without significant investment in modern grids, storage systems, and efficient transmission infrastructure.

‘Advancing clean energy requires more than just increasing capacity – it demands smarter, more resilient systems to store and transmit energy reliably,’ he said.

The Baku Climate Action Week brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and climate experts to discuss concrete steps toward achieving global climate and energy goals. Azerbaijan is set to host the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), further positioning itself as a key player in the global energy and climate dialogue.

Conference in Kiev highlights Azerbaijan’s role in Ukraine’s energy security and green transition [PHOTOS]

A conference dedicated to Azerbaijan’s contribution to Ukraine’s energy security and the joint development of renewable energy projects between the two countries was held in Kiev, Azernews reports.

The event, hosted at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, focused on shaping the future of bilateral energy cooperation. Organized by the Azerbaijan-Ukraine Energy Association, the conference discussed the integration of renewable sources such as solar, wind, and small hydropower, the use of modern energy storage technologies, and new avenues for scientific, technical, and investment collaboration.

Among the speakers were Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Energy Nikolay Kolesnik, Ukrainian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Yuri Gusev, Counselor of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kiev Rovshan Huseynzade, Deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Sergey Nagornyak, and co-chairs of the Azerbaijan-Ukraine Energy Association Pyotr Romanov and Shahin Yusifov. They praised the progress made in bilateral cooperation, while underscoring Azerbaijan’s vital support in helping Ukraine restore energy facilities damaged during wartime strikes.

It was noted that both countries share a common interest in strengthening regional energy security and advancing green energy initiatives. During discussions, particular attention was given to Azerbaijan’s planned supply of natural gas to Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan route through Bulgaria and Romania starting in July 2025 – an important step in diversifying Ukraine’s energy imports.

At the close of the event, participants adopted a resolution that will serve as a roadmap for future joint projects.

Azercell congratulates top-performing female IT students [PHOTOS]

The mobile operator continues to empower young women in the IT and ICT

Azercell Telecom continues its commitment to support the professional development of young women in the IT and ICT fields. As part of the ‘Ugur qizlarimizindir’ (‘Success for Girls’) initiative, launched last year, a special meeting was held with female students who achieved the highest entrance scores in Computer Science and Information Security programs.

Congratulating the students, Azercell’s Chief Legal and Data Strategy Officer, Shirin Aliyeva, said: ‘The achievements of young women in IT are both their personal success and valuable contribution to the country’s digital future. At Azercell, we remain committed to creating new opportunities to help them advance further on this path and fully realize their potential.’

Director of the Corporate and Marketing Communications Department at Azercell, Sona Abbasova, highlighted the company’s corporate responsibility strategy, particularly its focus on women’s empowerment and development: ‘Supporting education, as well as the continuous enhancement of knowledge and skills, are among Azercell’s key priorities. We strongly believe that such initiatives help to unlock the potential of young people and foster their growth in the IT field.’

Azercell’s Talent Management and Business Partnering section manager, Vusala Hasanova, in turn underlined that the company remains committed to maintaining strong connections with students, providing them with new opportunities, guidance, and continuous support for their future professional development.

The students were presented with special gifts along with a complimentary one-year subscription to the ‘Digimax 10GB’ tariff package.

Azercell has consistently been supporting youth development through scholarship programs, internship opportunities, and a wide range of social initiatives, contributing to the formation of highly qualified professionals.

The company congratulates all students admitted to higher education institutions this year and wishes them continued success!

The list of students was provided by the State Examination Center of the Republic of Azerbaijan, based on the results of the academic program selection process.

Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan strengthen media cooperation amid digital transformation

The exchange of experience between media representatives and government communication officials, as well as the networking of influential figures shaping public opinion in both countries, highlights the growing significance of the joint Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan media platform.

Azernews reports that this message was delivered by Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during his speech at the 2nd Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Media Forum held under the theme “Digital Transformation and Media.”

Ismayilov recalled that the first media forum, held in Tashkent last year, was themed “In Search of Truth in the Digital Age: Combating Disinformation.” He emphasized that while technological advancement brings innovation, it also presents cross-border challenges that pollute the information environment.

‘Combating disinformation remains a top priority for both our countries. Last year’s discussions yielded practical recommendations, and this year’s forum continues in the same spirit by addressing one of the most pressing topics on the media agenda – digital transformation,’ he noted.

Ismayilov stressed that digital transformation is not limited to technological upgrades; it is a profound shift that redefines how societies consume information, interpret media content, and envision the future of journalism.

‘Today, news is no longer confined to traditional newspapers or television screens – it’s being shaped on smartphone displays, social media feeds, and AI-powered analytical platforms,’ he said.

He also highlighted a critical shift in media values:

‘While speed of information delivery was once the main priority, today, credibility, fact-checking, and public trust have become the most important values. The future of media depends not only on journalists but on the collaborative efforts of all public institutions.’

Concluding his remarks, Ismayilov emphasized that digital transformation is inevitable and requires active engagement:

‘We have no choice but to be active participants in this process. Through collaboration and shared expertise, we can turn technological progress into a powerful tool for national development and higher-quality information access for our citizens.’

The forum serves as a platform for strengthening media ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan and underscores the shared commitment to responsible, forward-looking journalism in the digital age.

LG Electronics plans to sell stake in its Indian subsidiary

LG Electronics has announced the restart of the initial public offering (IPO) process for its Indian subsidiary, aiming to sell a 15 percent stake in the company on the local stock market, Azernews reports, citing Korean media.

On Tuesday, LG’s board of directors approved the sale of 101,815,859 shares, representing a 15 percent ownership in the wholly-owned Indian unit. This move is part of LG’s broader strategy to raise funds for its headquarters in South Korea by listing the subsidiary on the Indian stock exchange.

The company plans to submit the final prospectus to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) shortly, with the IPO expected to be completed as early as October. While the exact valuation and disposal date are yet to be finalized, LG confirmed that details regarding the share price range and schedule will be disclosed following SEBI’s final approval.

The IPO process was paused for five months amid global market volatility and trade policy uncertainties triggered by tariff measures under former U.S. President Donald Trump. LG initially filed a preliminary application with SEBI in December 2024 and received conditional approval in March 2025, before putting the process on hold in April.

Local Indian media estimate the IPO’s value at around 115 billion rupees (approximately $1.3 billion). Since the offering will involve only existing shares-with no new stock issuance-the proceeds will go directly to LG Electronics, allowing the company to raise capital without incurring debt or financing costs.

According to LG Electronics’ semiannual report, its standalone cash and cash equivalents stood at 1.1 trillion won ($784.5 million) as of the end of Q2 2025. A successful IPO could more than double this cash reserve, significantly bolstering the company’s financial stability.

However, LG Electronics continues to face challenges amid declining global demand for home appliances and TVs, compounded by the effects of trade tariffs. In Q2 2025, the company reported a 4.4 percent drop in revenue and a sharp 46.6 percent decline in operating profit compared to the same period in 2024.

Market analysts, including local tracker FnGuide, predict further declines in Q3, with revenue and operating profit expected to fall by 4.1 percent and 18.4 percent, respectively, year-on-year.

To navigate these headwinds, LG launched a voluntary retirement program last month, starting with its Media Entertainment Solution division, which manages TV operations. The company is also shifting focus toward expanding high-margin businesses such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), while actively exploring growth opportunities in Southeast Asia, particularly in the rapidly growing Indian market.

LG is currently the market leader in home appliances in India. Its local unit reported robust performance in the first half of 2025, generating 2.28 trillion won ($25.7 billion) in revenue and 209.7 billion won ($149.6 million) in net profit.

President: Italy is our top trading partner in the economic sphere

‘Over the years, our relations have developed rapidly and across various directions. Political relations are at the highest level,’ President Ilham Aliyev said during a joint press statement with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.

The head of state emphasized that in the economic sphere, Italy is Azerbaijan’s top trading partner.

Azerbaijan welcomes comprehensive plan for Gaza resolution proposed by Trump

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has welcomed the announcement of the Comprehensive Plan for the Resolution of the Gaza Conflict, recently put forward by US President Donald Trump, Azernews reports.

Baku views the initiative as an important step toward establishing lasting peace in the region.

YouTube to compensate for freezing US president’s account

YouTube, owned by Google, has agreed to pay U.S. President Donald Trump $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit related to the suspension of his account following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots. While Trump’s YouTube channel was not permanently deleted, he was banned from uploading new videos. His full access was only restored in 2023, Azernews reports.

With this settlement, Google becomes the last of the three major tech companies to resolve lawsuits filed by Trump in July 2021. At the time, he accused YouTube, Facebook (Meta), and Twitter (now X), along with their CEOs, of illegally censoring conservative voices and violating his right to free speech.

Earlier this year, Meta agreed to pay approximately $25 million in January, and X paid around $10 million in February to settle similar cases brought by Trump.

According to Trump’s legal team, the lawsuits weren’t just about restoring his accounts but about highlighting what he called the “danger Big Tech poses to free expression.” Interestingly, even after regaining access to these platforms, Trump has largely favored using his own social media network, Truth Social, which he launched in 2022 to promote what he calls an ‘uncensored alternative.’

These settlements suggest that the tech giants preferred to resolve the matter quietly rather than risk prolonged legal battles with significant political and reputational stakes.

UNESCO’s conference kicks off in Barcelona [PHOTOS]

UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2025) has kicked off in Barcelona, Spain, Azernews reports.

The Azerbaijani delegation, led by the Culture Minister Adil Karimli participates in the event.

During the speeches, the significance of the three-day conference was emphasized, and its goals were outlined.

The discussions also covered the tasks ahead and the necessary steps to address emerging challenges.

An interesting concert program was presented afterward.

Within the framework of the conference, Minister Adil Karimli held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Serbia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The discussions focused on cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Adil Karimli also had a meeting with Gökhan Yazgi, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkiye.

As part of the conference, the “3rd High-Level Ministerial Dialogue of the Friends Group on Culture-Based Climate Action” was organized on September 29. Minister Adil Karimli gave a speech at this event.