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On October 14, delegations led by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk, and Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mehrdad Bazrpash (Farzana Sadiq per translation) jointly inspected key infrastructure facilities of the North-South International Transport Corridor in the city of Astara, Azernews reports.

According to the Cabinet of Ministers, the delegations visited the automobile bridge over the Astarachay River on the Azerbaijan-Iran border, which was inaugurated in December 2023.

The bridge’s throughput capacity reaches 1,000 freight vehicles per day – 500 entries and 500 exits – significantly easing cargo flow between the two countries.

The officials then reviewed the ongoing construction of the Southern Freight Terminal in the Iranian city of Astara, owned by Azerbaijan Railways. The terminal’s current annual cargo handling capacity of 1 million tons is planned to increase to 5 million tons once expansion works are completed by the end of 2025.

The visit also included an inspection of the Rasht-Astara railway construction site in Iran – a strategically vital segment expected to enhance connectivity along the North-South corridor, strengthening regional trade and logistics cooperation among Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran.

The Azerbaijani Cartographers Public Union has completed the preparation of a detailed map of the Zangezur Corridor, the strategic transport route linking mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azernews reports.

According to the Union’s chairman, Mugabil Bayramov, the map was created using high-resolution satellite imagery as its base layer to ensure geographical precision and visual clarity.

Bayramov noted that the map illustrates the relevant sections of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Iran, including residential settlements, highways, rivers, and mountain ranges along the corridor’s route. The Araz Corridor, another key regional transport connection, is also featured on the map.

The cartographic work has been produced in both Azerbaijani and English, highlighting its significance not only for national use but also for international research, academic, and policy reference.

The Embassy of Venezuela in Azerbaijan has hosted a conference titled ‘Venezuela, Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace’ in Baku.

According to Azernews, the event brought together representatives of public organisations, journalists, and civil society members to discuss Venezuela’s foreign policy, regional cooperation, and efforts to promote peace and stability across Latin America and the Caribbean.

In his remarks, Venezuela’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Christopher Martinez, highlighted his country’s historical experience and contemporary realities. He emphasised Venezuela’s commitment to strengthening peace and cooperation across the region, despite enduring economic and political pressure.

The ambassador drew attention to the challenges Venezuela has faced as a result of sanctions imposed by certain states, stressing that his government remains determined to defend the nation’s sovereignty and independence.

‘Despite external challenges, Venezuela continues to develop international partnerships with many countries around the world,’ Martinez said. ‘It has not been easy, but our nation has successfully resisted foreign threats.’

The diplomat underlined that Venezuela’s foreign policy remains focused on promoting peace and good-neighbourly diplomacy. ‘We are not seeking hostility with other nations. Venezuela is a peace-loving state,’ he stated. ‘However, when it comes to our sovereignty, we are ready to respond decisively. Some states are attempting to seize our natural wealth, as our country is rich in resources such as oil, gas, gold, and other valuable minerals.’

Moreover, verified UN and US data show that the false narrative against Venezuela is part of a new phase of the failed ‘regime change’ policy, which has now escalated into a military threat. Venezuela demands an immediate end to these aggressions and reaffirms its unwavering will to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace, fully exercising its rights under the UN Charter.

The statement also underscored that the defence of the Constitution has guided the preservation of peace and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people. Venezuela, it said, has inspired other nations, defended democracy in the region, and promoted Latin American unity through initiatives such as ALBA-TCP. The vitality and strength of Venezuelan democracy remain a key factor in defending freedom and regional stability.

The conference underscored Venezuela’s message of peaceful coexistence and regional solidarity amid ongoing global geopolitical tensions.

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has been approved, Azernews reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant law.

According to the law, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer of October 15, 2016, has been approved.

According to the Ministry of Defense, complex maintenance and technical adaptation measures are being carried out across all branches and military units of the Azerbaijani Army – including the Separate Combined Arms Army – in line with this year’s training plan, to prepare weapons, combat and special equipment, and aviation vehicles for the autumn-winter operating season, Azernews reports.

The ongoing technical service work includes providing equipment with seasonal fuel and lubricants, inspecting electrical systems, and performing necessary maintenance at technical service points of military units.

Spare parts and required technical equipment are being supplied to the units through centralized distribution, ensuring compliance with full provision standards.

These seasonal service measures, aimed at maintaining high combat readiness and strengthening operational capability, are being conducted with strict adherence to safety regulations.

The Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) provides significant opportunities for the establishment of modern manufacturing facilities in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

This was stated by Samad Bashirli, Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, at the opening ceremony of the 7th Sustainable Development Goals Dialogue on the topic ‘Investing in Education for Azerbaijan’s Sustainable Development.’

He noted that increasing the complexity of the economy is a key aspect of Azerbaijan’s development strategy.

“What distinguishes economies from one another is their complexity. Complexity involves the production of goods that require a wide range of knowledge and skills.

Industrial parks established in Azerbaijan serve as essential institutions to attract highly qualified specialists, particularly in the non-oil sector.

At the Vocational Education School operating within the Sumgait Industrial Park, skilled personnel are trained in industrial specialties to meet the needs of enterprises operating in the country.

I would also like to highlight the role of the Alat Free Economic Zone in this area. As a country without direct access to the ocean, Azerbaijan’s AFEZ creates a favorable environment for establishing modern manufacturing enterprises,” he added.

The 30th Anniversary Caspian Construction Week has kicked off in Baku.

Azernews reports that the event features several major exhibitions, including the 5th International Rebuild Garabagh Exhibition on the Restoration, Reconstruction, and Development of Garabagh; the 30th Anniversary Azerbaijan International Construction Exhibition BakuBuild; the 17th International Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Water Supply, Sanitary and Swimming Pool Exhibition Aquatherm Baku; and the 4th Caspian International Plastics and Polymers Industry Exhibition Plastex Caspian.

Additionally, the 13th Caspian International Road and Traffic Exhibition on Road Infrastructure and Public Transport is being held alongside these events.

The three-day exhibition, attended by representatives of government agencies, brings together industry leaders, experts, and companies from various countries to showcase innovations and discuss future opportunities in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Construction of the Shafag (Jabrayil) solar power project, developed jointly by bp, SOCAR Green, and the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund, is advancing according to schedule in Azerbaijan’s Jabrayil district, Azernews reports.

According to the project investors, following the final investment decision made in June 2025, two major contracts have been awarded to support the project’s timely implementation.

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract, valued at approximately $117 million, was awarded to Intec and Complant. The contract covers the complete range of engineering, procurement, and construction services, as well as operation and maintenance for the first two years of the plant’s operation. Construction activities have already commenced, with site mobilization completed and earthworks and internal road construction underway.

The module supply contract, valued at over $29 million, was awarded to Trina Solar (Schweiz) AG for the provision of solar panels. The first shipment of panels was successfully delivered to the project site in August 2025.

Colin Allan, director of Shafag (Jabrayil) Solar Limited (SJSL), noted that the project is making solid progress:

‘We are pleased to see strong progress on the Shafag solar project, which we are delivering together with SOCAR Green and the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund, the co-venturers in the project, and in collaboration with many other stakeholders.

We are also excited to share that during earthworks, a historic archaeological site was discovered in the northern part of the project area. This open settlement, potentially dating back to the Bronze to Early Iron Ages, includes surface materials such as grinding stone fragments, clay pottery shards, and structural patterns of arranged river stones. We are working closely with experts from Azerbaijan’s Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology to assess the historical value and significance of these findings.’

Construction of the Shafag solar project is expected to continue through mid-2027, with a focus on maximizing local content and workforce participation. At its peak, the project is anticipated to generate up to 400 jobs, contributing both to Azerbaijan’s green energy transition and the socioeconomic development of the liberated Jabrayil district.

Azerbaijani judokas have finished Lima Grand Prix 2025 with seven medals, Azernews reports.

On the final day of the competition, two more Azerbaijani judokas secured spots on the podium.

Murad Fatiyev (90 kg) marked his return after a five-month break with a silver medal.

In the heaviest category, Kanan Nasibov (+100 kg) won the bronze medal. This marked the 21-year-old judoka’s first medal on the World Tour Series, making it a significant achievement.

Earlier, Ahmad Yusifov (60 kg) won silver, while Rashad Yelkiyev, Ruslan Pashayev (both 66 kg), Omar Rajabli (81 kg), and Konul Aliyeva (48 kg) secured bronze medals.

Some 17 judokas, (4 men and 3 women), represented Azerbaijan at the tournament.

A total 293 athletes from 49 countries, including 172 men and 121 women,participated in Lima Grand Prix 2025.

Founded in 1972, the Azerbaijan Judo Federation actively promotes this martial art across the country. Since 2015, the Federation has been led by Rovnag Abdullayev.

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, Zelim Kotsoev, 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 7th International Festival titled ‘Korkut and the Sounds of the Great Steppe,’ dedicated to the folk and musical art of Turkic peoples, has opened at the ‘Dede Korkut’ Memorial Complex located in the Karmakshy district of the Kyzylorda region, Republic of Kazakhstan. The Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Akim of the Kyzylorda region jointly organized the event, Azernews reports, citing local media.

According to the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, nearly 200 artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Trkiye, Uzbekistan, Tuva, and Altai are taking part in the festival. The event is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kyzylorda’s designation as the capital of Kazakhstan (1925-1927).

The primary purpose of the international event is to promote the rich culture, national music, and spiritual values of the Turkic peoples, as well as to foster international cultural relations.

At the solemn opening ceremony, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Ms. Aktoty Raimkulova and Head of the Department of Culture, Archives, and Documentation of the Kyzylorda region Mr. Zhanmurat Seilov congratulated the festival participants and wished them success.

During the evening celebration, renowned performers of traditional music from various Turkic countries delighted the audience with their unique performances.

The following day, as part of the international festival ‘Korkut and the Sounds of the Great Steppe,’ a scientific and theoretical conference titled ‘The Heritage of Dede Korkut: Common Epic Values for the Turkic World’ was held.

The conference brought together the President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, Aktoty Raimkulova, Akim of the Kyzylorda region Nurlibek Nalibayev, as well as leading scholars and experts in culture, history, and literature from across the Turkic world.

The event aimed to comprehensively discuss the significance of Dede Korkut’s legacy and epic traditions in the spiritual and cultural life of Turkic nations, to promote scientific research, and to strengthen international cooperation.

During the conference, participants exchanged views on the historical roots of the Dede Korkut epic, its role in the Turkic world, and its reflection in contemporary culture and literature. Scholars presented the results of their recent research and shared modern theoretical approaches to studying the Dede Korkut heritage.

In her remarks, Aktoty Raimkulova welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Dede Korkut’s great legacy on a global scale.

The conference featured scientific presentations, panel discussions, and the launch of the first volume of the ‘Turkic Heroic Epic’ series within the framework of the ‘Turkic Folklore Heritage’ Anthology Project.

At the conclusion of the event, Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan, Associate Professor of the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov, Uljan Baybosynova, performed excerpts from the ‘Koroglu’ poem and several traditional pieces from the Syr Darya region.

The international conference was recognized as an important platform for strengthening the unity and interconnection of epic creative traditions in the Turkic world, as well as a significant step in preserving and promoting the spiritual heritage of the Turkic peoples.