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Baku is hosting the international conference SOCGOV 2025: Artificial Intelligence for People and Transformation, focusing on the future of social services and innovative governance approaches, Azernews reports.

Held for the first time in Azerbaijan, SOCGOV 2025 aims to bring together local and international experts to evaluate the rapid development prospects of social services. The conference will explore innovative solutions, the application of artificial intelligence tools, and modern technologies to shape the future of social service delivery.

Key topics include resilience and innovation in citizen social protection. Experts will discuss digital governance and AI-driven transformation, the role of artificial intelligence in social services and social inclusion, as well as the future of the labor market, skills development, and digital entrepreneurship.

The event is expected to gather over 350 participants from more than 20 countries worldwide.

French Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure warned Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s government on Friday that his party will file a no-confidence bill next week if their budget conditions on higher taxes for billionaires are not met, Azernews reports.

“We have made an effort not to censure the prime minister, but so far we have not seen any sign of a willingness to compromise,” the Socialist party leader told BFM in an interview. “If there is no change by Monday, it’s all over,” he underlined.

Moreover, Faure stated that the government cannot seek from retirees, the sick, the young and the middle working class, while “nothing is asked of the wealthiest.”

Given the arithmetic of France’s starkly divided parliament, the Socialists have the power to topple Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s weak minority government if they partner with the far left and the far right, which have said they want to oust him.

Lecornu had managed to win Socialist support by pledging to scrap a landmark pension reform, but the left clearly believes it can extract greater concessions as talks to pass the tax and revenue component of the 2026 budget began on Friday on the floor of the National Assembly.

Faure, whose party has long argued for a billionaires’ tax that the government has been reluctant to include, said the current bill targeted unfairly retirees, young people, and families.

“It’s unbearable. We cannot ask these segments of the population – working-class and middle-class people – to continue making sacrifices while the wealthiest are not contributing,” he said, adding the budget should aim to find between 15 billion and 20 billion euros ($17 billion and $23 billion) in additional revenue.

The threat of more instability is worrying for France’s economy, with French business activity declining faster than expected in October, according to data released on Friday.

Moody’s could well downgrade French debt in a ratings decision later on Friday, just a week after S and P Global handed France, the euro zone’s second-biggest economy, a surprise downgrade.

Lecornu is under mounting pressure to trim down France’s deficit, the euro zone’s largest, but faces major pushback from opponents over how to achieve savings. He aims to put a more than 30 billion euro squeeze on the budget next year to get the fiscal deficit down to 4.7% of economic output.

A formal vote on the income part of the budget is scheduled for November 4, before the bill moves on to the conservatives-held Senate.

South Korea announced that U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the country next week for high-level meetings with President Lee Jae Myung during the APEC summit in Gyeongju, signaling an active week of regional diplomacy across Asia, Azernews reports via Yeni Safak.

The APEC summit, which brings together leaders from 21 member economies, will take place on October 31 and November 1. President Lee will host the sessions aimed at strengthening regional trade and cooperation. Gyeongju, known for its cultural heritage and coastal setting, will serve as the focal point of next week’s diplomatic gatherings.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac noted that Seoul is also closely watching the possibility of a Trump-Kim Jong Un meeting during the U.S. president’s stay in South Korea. ‘We remain open to any dialogue that supports peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,’ Wi said during a press briefing.

Before arriving in South Korea, President Trump will begin his Asia tour in Malaysia this Sunday, meeting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and attending an ASEAN leaders’ working dinner. He will then travel to Tokyo to meet Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday, before heading to South Korea for the APEC summit and bilateral meetings. The White House has also confirmed that Trump and Xi will meet during the visit.

A scientific-practical seminar on the topic “The Phenomenon of Uzeyir Hajibayli in Azerbaijani Culture” has been held in the city of Khankandi, Azernews reports.

The event took place at Garabagh University’s Faculty of Arts as part of the “Wind of Culture” project, implemented by the Culture Ministry’s Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center for Culture (MEMIM).

The university’s faculty and students attended the scientific-practical seminar, timed to the 140th anniversary of the birth of the great composer, musicologist, educator, publicist, dramatist, and social activist Uzeyir Hajibayli

At the beginning of the event, participants visited the busts of Uzeyir Hajibayli, Bulbul, and Khurshidbanu Natavan in the city of Shusha, which had been subjected to Armenian vandalism during the First Garabagh War.

The scientific-practical seminar was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Garabagh University, composer Turkar Gasimzade, and MEMIM Acting Head, Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies, Associate Professor Vugar Humbatov.

The main goal of the seminar was to enlighten the younger generation by introducing them to the rich creative legacy of Uzeyir Hajibayli, the founder of modern Azerbaijani professional music. The musical heritage of the great composer demonstrates the richness of Azerbaijani culture on a global scale.

The seminar then continued under the moderation of Honored Cultural Figure Saadat Takhmirazgizi, Honored Cultural Figure and Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies at MEMIM.

Professor Zumrud Dadashzade, a professor at the Baku Music Academy, Honored Artist, and Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies, gave a report titled “The Genius of Uzeyir Hajibayli in the Mirror of 21st Century Culture.”

In her report, she shed light on the composer’s work in the context of world music and emphasized the enduring value of his ideas.

Doctor of Philosophy in Art Studies and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Arts of Garabagh University, Aybaniz Novrasli, delivered a report on “Uzeyir Hajibayli and Music Pedagogy,” in which she discussed various systems of music education. The speakers answered questions from the audience, and a number of scientific publications were presented as a gift to Garabagh University.

During the seminar, an artistic program was also presented. The Garabagh University Student Choir (artistic director: Rufat Khalilov, concertmasters: Ehtiram Aghazade, Aytaj Dadasheva) performed the “Chorus of Girls” from the operetta “The Cloth Peddler” and “Shabi-Khidzhran” from the opera “Leyli and Majnun” by Uzeyir Hajibayli.

Faculty member, Honored Artist Anar Shushali, performed the aria of Asgar from the operetta “The Cloth Peddler” (accompanied by faculty member and pianist Zakir Asadov).

Students Ismayil Ismayilov and Elnara Abdullayeva presented the “Meeting” scene from the opera “Leyli and Majnun.” They were accompanied by faculty members Bakhruz Zeynalov (tar) and Farid Babayev (kamancha).

Note that MEMIM’s project “Wind of Culture”, which takes place from October 20 to 31, is being implemented with the support of the Garabagh Regional Department of Culture.

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

The date for the 2026 Senior World Judo Championships has been changed, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan Judo Federation.

According to the new decision, the championship will take place from October 4 to 11 next year.

The change in the tournament’s dates aims to prevent the prestigious event from coinciding with other international sports events and to ensure broader television coverage of the world championship to a larger audience.

Individual competitions will be held from October 4 to 10, and the mixed team event will take place on October 11.

Baku will host this prestigious event for the second time. The city first hosted the Judo World Championship in 2018.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art across the country. The President of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation is Rashad Nabiyev.

The country’s modern judo history was laid by Mehman Azizov, who won a silver medal at the Old World Championship in 1998.

A year later, the winner of the World Youth Games in Moscow, Rasul Salimov, grabbed the bronze medal at the European Championship in Slovakia. Another national judoka, Elchin Ismayilov, became the European champion in 2000 in Wroclaw.

However, the achievements of Azerbaijani judo fighters did not stop there. Elnur Mammadli was named the best at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 73 kg division.

The list of the country’s top judo fighters includes Rustam Orujov, Irina Kindzerskaya, Mammadali Mehdiyev, Elmar Gasimov, Hidayat Heydarov, Zelym Kotsoiev, Ushangi Kokauri, and Nijat Shikhalizada.

At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, judokas Hidayat Heydarov (73 kg) and Zelym Kotsoiev (100 kg) earned gold medals for Azerbaijan.

The updated 2025-2026 Activity Plan of the Turkic States Organization (TSO) is set to form the foundation for technological integration among Turkic states, TSO Secretary-General Kubanychbek Omuraliev said during the 2nd meeting of the ministers of industry, science, technology, and innovation in Baku, Azernews reports.

Omuraliev noted that the revised plan aims to strengthen cooperation among member states in artificial intelligence, digital and green technologies, standardization, space research, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

He emphasized that the ministerial meeting follows the successful 12th TSO Summit in Gabala and marks an important step for Turkic states in moving from strategic partnership toward technological integration. Since the first meeting held last year in Istanbul, cooperation in industry, science, technology, and innovation has expanded significantly.

‘Achievements include progress of working groups and subgroups under the 2024 Activity Plan, knowledge exchange in AI and digital transformation, and the development of innovative ecosystems through international technology festivals such as Technofest in Turkey and Istanbul and Innoweek in Uzbekistan,’ Omuraliev said.

He also highlighted the first meeting of heads of intellectual property institutions of TSO member states in Bishkek and described the initiative to establish the Common Turkic Patent Organization (CTPO)-aimed at protecting intellectual property and supporting innovations-as a key regional project.

During the 9th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Serbia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Belgrade, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) and Serbia’s Development Agency (RAS) approved a roadmap for bilateral collaboration, Azernews reports.

The document outlines the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022 between KOBIA and RAS, aiming to strengthen cooperation in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Covering the period 2026-2027, the roadmap includes measures to support connections between Azerbaijani and Serbian SMEs, organize SME-related events, share best practices and business opportunities, establish collaboration among SME-related organizations, exchange data, and facilitate participation in jointly organized events.

Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of KOBIA, highlighted at the Intergovernmental Commission meeting and the Azerbaijan-Serbia Business Forum the importance of expanding cooperation in SME development. He emphasized the value of sharing experiences related to the SME House initiative and noted that Azerbaijan’s participation in the Baku Climate Pledge, promoted by KOBIA, would contribute to joint efforts.

Mammadov also provided a detailed overview of KOBIA’s activities and the support and services it offers to SMEs.

Azerbaijan should align its artificial intelligence (AI) practices with international standards to ensure effective governance and economic growth, Azernews reports.

According to information, Salar Imamaliyev, Director General for Commercial Affairs of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, made the remarks at the international conference ‘SOCGOV 2025: Artificial Intelligence – for People and Transformation’ in Baku.

Imamaliyev stressed the importance of harmonising institutional and technological standards in Azerbaijan with global practices:

‘Four international standards have already been adopted and made available to the public. However, the formation of a new regulatory framework in the field of artificial intelligence and the continuation of the process of applying standards remain one of the main challenges.’

He added that adopting such standards is crucial for improving the quality of life of citizens, both in governance and in driving economic growth.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday that Russia will assess the latest sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union and will respond accordingly, Azernews reports.

Speaking at a press conference, Peskov noted that Moscow will do “what best serves our interests.”

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted that his country will not bow down to the pressure others are trying to put on it.

A day after President Trump’s first major punitive action against Russia over its war in Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin called new U.S. oil sanctions ‘an unfriendly act’ and warned of an overwhelming response if Kyiv gets the powerful missiles it seeks.

The Head of the State Agency for the Protection of Strategic Objects of Azerbaijan Sardar Safarov has been awarded the highest military rank of major general, Azernews reports.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.