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The II National Competition Forum is underway in Baku, bringing together government officials, business leaders, and experts to discuss key issues in market regulation and competition policy, Azernews reports.

The forum was convened to analyze the current state of competition policy in modern economic conditions, regulate the activities of natural monopolies, safeguard public interests, and address existing challenges in the sector. It also aims to facilitate the exchange of views on shaping effective and fair market relations in Azerbaijan.

The event is being attended by Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship of the Milli Majlis Azer Amiraslanov, Chairman of the State Agency for Antimonopoly and Consumer Market Supervision under the President Elnur Baghirov, and President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs’ Organizations Mammad Musayev, along with representatives from business associations and the private sector.

Officials emphasized that strengthening competition policy is essential for ensuring consumer rights, increasing efficiency in natural monopolies, and creating a more transparent and competitive business environment. The forum serves as a platform to outline reforms and promote dialogue between the state and the private sector.

Azerbaijan has been represented at European Languages Fair in Sofia, Azernews reports.

The event, which took place at Ivan Vazov National Theater, covered 19 languages and was organized in collaboration with language and culture institutes that are members of EUNIC-Bulgaria, as well as cultural centers, consulates, and embassies of non-EU countries, under the auspices of the European Commission’s “Written Translations” Directorate in Bulgaria.

The Azerbaijan Language and Culture Center, operating under Sofia University’s Saint Kliment Ohridski, joined the initiative again this year, introducing festival participants to the Azerbaijani language, culture, and literature.

The center’s stand was supported by students specializing in Turkology-Katrin Nikova and Veronika Balkanci, who study Azerbaijani language. They provided guests with detailed information about the Center’s activities and the Azerbaijani and Turkish languages taught in the Turkology department.

At the stand, translations of works by Azerbaijani writers and poets into various European languages, including Bulgarian, were presented. The display also included interesting facts about Azerbaijan, excerpts from Margarita Pavlova’s book “Plamiçka and Plamiçko” dedicated to Azerbaijan, and educational leaflets titled “Would you like to learn expressions in several Turkic languages?”

It is noteworthy that the main goal of the presentation was to promote the activities of the Azerbaijan Center created by Baku Slavic University and to make the Azerbaijani language taught in the Turkology department of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology at Sofia University more appealing to young people, encouraging them to choose this field of study.

A delegation from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Center, operating under the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, has been on a business trip to South Korea, Azernews reports.

It was noted that the visit took place as part of a project implemented under a memorandum signed between the Culture Ministry and ADA University. The main purpose of the trip was to learn about South Korea’s experience in the development of cultural and creative industries, as well as to discuss new cooperation opportunities in the fields of innovation and technology.

The delegation participated in the “EdTech 2025” exhibition held in Seoul and familiarized themselves with educational programs at the Korea Museum of Contemporary Art. Meetings at the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) focused on the international exchange of creative content and the implementation of joint projects.

As part of the program, the delegation also visited the country’s leading science and innovation center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). During the visit, they were introduced to the “Startup KAIST” program and provided information on projects at the intersection of culture and technology.

As a result of the visit, it is expected that Azerbaijan’s creative industries will expand their international cooperation network, new opportunities will arise for young people, and the country’s creative ecosystem will be enriched with global trends.

A presentation of the anthology “Classic Czech Short Stories” has taken place in Baku, Azernews reports.

The book was published by “Elm v? T?hsil” Publishing House, edited by Ivana Bozdechová and Jaroslav Olša Jr., with stories translated from Czech into Azerbaijani by Shabnam Asadova.

The presentation was attended by diplomats, public figures, members of the Azerbaijani intellectual community, scholars, journalists, and literature lovers.

Milan Sedlácek, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan emphasized that the publication of Czech short stories in Azerbaijani would strengthen Czech-Azerbaijani cultural relations and provide Azerbaijani readers with an opportunity to explore Czech literature more deeply.

He pointed out that this was a historic moment, as for the first time, works by 14 Czech authors were translated into Azerbaijani and published in a single collection. The project showcased Czech literature from the 19th century to the modern era.

In his speech, Sedlácek noted that Azerbaijani readers could gain a broader understanding of Czech literature by exploring such a diverse selection of works. He also mentioned that if readers were drawn to any particular writer, they would be encouraged to seek out their other works, thus further immersing themselves in Czech prose.

The Ambassador highlighted that the anthology is a continuation of cultural exchange between the two nations, referring to the release of an Azerbaijani short story collection in Czech three years earlier in Prague, edited by Bozdechová. He expressed hope that such initiatives would continue through collaborative literary and cultural projects in the future.

Dr. Ivana Bozdechová, the editor of the collection, stressed that “Classic Czech Short Stories” is a unique anthology featuring works by 14 Czech authors, including both 19th-century writers and those who became literary icons in their lifetimes. She shared her personal connection with some of these authors, with whom she had the privilege of meeting.

Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Bozdechová explained that she first came to Azerbaijan 10 years ago to teach Czech at Baku Slavic University. Over time, she grew fascinated with the country and its rich culture.

Recognizing that Czech readers were largely unfamiliar with Azerbaijani literature, she decided to introduce them to works by Azerbaijani writers. This effort resulted in the publication of the “Sari G?lin” anthology, translated by Shabnam Asadova, for which Dr. Bozdechová also served as editor.

She noted that the current project “Classic Czech Short Stories” aimed to introduce Azerbaijani readers to Czech literature. After carefully selecting works for the anthology, they were translated into Azerbaijani by Asadova. Dr. Bozdechová expressed her belief that this project would help both nations gain a better understanding of each other’s culture, enriching their spiritual lives.

She also thanked the Czech Embassy in Azerbaijan and everyone who contributed to the realization of the project.

The event also featured readings from selected stories in both Czech, read by Dr. Bozdechová, and Azerbaijani, read by Azerbaijani poetess Leyla Begim Jafarova, which sparked considerable interest among the audience.

On October 2-3, an international conference titled ‘A Turning Point for the Caspian Sea: From COP29 and UNOC 2025 Outcomes to COP30 Action’ was held at the Baku Congress Center.

Azernews reports that the event was initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union.

The opening session on October 3 featured speeches from Mukhtar Babayev, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and COP29 President; Rauf Hajiyev, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources; Michael Fishbach, founder and director of the Great Whale Conservancy; Jeyhun Aliyev, Director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Center under the Ministry of Agriculture; Eugene Seah, Chief Operations Officer at Baku International Sea Trade Port; and Pascal Peduzzi, Director of the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Global Resource Information Database in Geneva, who joined virtually.

Speakers addressed the mounting environmental challenges facing the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest enclosed inland body of water. These include a significant drop in sea levels, depletion of marine biodiversity, degradation of coastal ecosystems, and increasing pollution-issues that, as emphasized by participants, cannot be resolved by individual countries alone.

It was noted that over the past decade, the Caspian Sea has experienced a drop of 2.5 meters, posing serious risks to coastal infrastructure, fisheries, local communities, and ecosystems. The receding shoreline introduces further environmental threats such as soil salinization and loss of biodiversity. The speakers stressed that the Caspian’s climate-driven transformations carry regional implications and require coordinated action, joint research, and mutual trust among littoral states. The importance of translating the outcomes of Azerbaijan’s COP29 presidency into practical steps and long-term solutions was also underlined.

The conference continued with expert panel discussions involving representatives from COP29, UNEP, UN-Habitat, and leading scientific and research institutions from various countries. Discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation for Caspian Sea protection, sustainable water resource management, and enhancing international coordination. Participants highlighted the need for stronger scientific collaboration in addressing the region’s complex ecological challenges.

Jointly organized by the IDEA Public Union and the Caspisnet scientific network, the conference brought together experts from more than 10 countries, specializing in marine ecology, sustainable aquaculture, hydrology, geographic information systems, and other relevant fields. The aim was to exchange knowledge on sea level fluctuations, marine biodiversity conservation, and ecological balance, while identifying shared solutions.

As part of the event, participants are also scheduled to visit Absheron National Park to gain firsthand insight into the Caspian’s rich biodiversity.

The open trial of several former leaders and figures of the separatist regime in Garabagh, charged with committing grave crimes against peace and humanity, will continue next week at the Baku Military Court, Azernews reports.

According to Azernews, the proceedings are scheduled for October 6 under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, with Judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev, and reserve Judge Gunel Samadova.

Among the defendants are Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others. They face charges for crimes including the planning and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, war crimes, terrorism, financing terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and multiple other violations arising from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.

In total, 15 individuals are being tried within the criminal case, which reflects numerous offenses committed by Armenian state officials, armed forces, and illegal armed groups. According to the prosecution, these crimes were carried out under direct orders and instructions from Armenia’s leadership, with material, technical, and personnel support provided by the state.

The list of accused also includes former Armenian leaders and commanders such as Robert Kocharyan, Serzh Sargsyan, Vazgen Manukyan, Vazgen Sargsyan, Samvel Babayan, Vitali Balasanyan, Zori Balayan, Seyran Ohanyan, Monte Melkonyan, and others, who are cited as organizers and perpetrators of the crimes in question.

The charges cover a wide range of articles under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including:

Article 100 – planning, preparing, initiating and waging a war of aggression;

Articles 102-107 – crimes against humanity, including genocide, extermination, slavery, deportation, and persecution;

Articles 109-116 – violations of international humanitarian law, torture, mercenary activity, and war crimes;

Articles 214-218, 278-279 – terrorism, financing of terrorism, creation of criminal organizations, forcible seizure of power, and establishment of illegal armed groups.

The court proceedings are viewed as a landmark step in holding accountable those responsible for crimes committed during Armenia’s decades-long aggression against Azerbaijan and its civilian population.

Germany is an important partner for us, and we attach great importance to the comprehensive development of our bilateral relations, said President Ilham Aliyev in a congratulatory letter to President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Azernews reports.

“Your visit to Azerbaijan in April gave a fresh impetus to the advancement of our cooperation, which encompasses a broad agenda.

I believe that we will continue our joint efforts to further develop the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Germany, sustain our mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, and enrich it with new content,” the letter reads.

On October 3, as part of the 14th Session of the Statistical Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Ankara, a meeting took place at the Turkish Statistical Institute between the delegation led by the Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Statistical Committee and Turkish officials.

Azernews reports that during the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of statistics was signed between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Trkiye.

The MoU was signed by Tahir Budagov, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Statistical Committee, and Erhan Çetinkaya, President of the Turkish Statistical Institute.

The agreement is expected to further strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation in official statistics, support the integration of modern information and communication technologies in statistical production, and promote the exchange of best practices across various statistical domains.

The successful development of relations between Azerbaijan and Korea is a source of great satisfaction, said President Ilham Aliyev in a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung on the occasion of his country’s National Day, Azernews reports.

“Today, we have ample opportunities to further deepen our cooperation in a number of areas, particularly in economic-trade, industry, high technologies, digital transformation, science, education, and other areas.

I am confident that, in line with the interests of our friendly peoples, we will continue our joint efforts consistently to strengthen Azerbaijan-Korea relations and expand our cooperation,” the letter reads.

A state-of-the-art school building has officially opened in the city of Göyt?p?, located in Azerbaijan’s Jalilabad district. Constructed with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the new facility will serve Vasif Huseynov Secondary School No. 2 and marks a significant investment in the region’s educational infrastructure.

Construction began in October 2024 and was completed in record time. The three-story complex, consisting of two interconnected blocks, is designed to accommodate up to 625 students. Built to meet modern educational standards, the school offers a wide range of specialized facilities, including classrooms, laboratories for physics, chemistry, and biology, computer science rooms, military training and medical units, technology workshops, a teachers’ lounge, technical rooms, a cloakroom, library, cafeteria, assembly hall, and fully equipped sports and gymnastics halls. An outdoor mini stadium will also be available for physical education and recreational activities.

The building has been outfitted with essential furniture and equipment, while subject-specific classrooms and labs feature contemporary teaching aids. Landscaping and greening efforts have also been carried out in the surrounding schoolyard, creating a welcoming and eco-friendly environment for students and staff.

This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to enhancing educational opportunities and infrastructure across Azerbaijan.