SOURCED FROM CURRENT NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALS
Russia is providing full assistance in investigating the causes of the AZAL plane crash, said President of Russia Vladimir Putin during a meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe, Azernews reports.
‘We are, of course, as agreed, providing every possible assistance to the investigation. The investigation is nearing completion,’ the Russian President added.
New evidence presented at the Baku Military Court has shed light on Armenia’s large-scale recruitment of foreign mercenaries during the 44-day war, Azernews reports.
The court heard excerpts from classified letters submitted by several Azerbaijani state agencies as part of the ongoing criminal case against Armenian citizens accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
A document dated October 24, 2020, revealed that Armenia made extensive efforts to recruit foreign citizens into its armed forces in the then-occupied territories of Azerbaijan to compensate for battlefield losses. The Armenian government and diaspora organizations abroad reportedly urged members of the Armenian community to take part in combat, organized special ticket sales campaigns, and established assembly points in various countries.
As a result, foreign terrorist fighters from France, the United States, Syria, Russia, and other countries were brought into military operations on Azerbaijani territory. The proceedings also noted the participation of the Yerevan-based military training center ‘VoMA,’ the ASALA terrorist organization, and other extremist groups.
One of the identified mercenaries, Artur Hovhannisyan from Marseille, France, reportedly took part in fighting in the Hadrut and Jabrayil regions of Azerbaijan as part of the Armenian armed forces during the war. Another document revealed that a criminal case has been launched against Gilbert Minasyan, a member of ASALA, and 15 individuals with military experience who engaged in illegal actions in Azerbaijani territory.
The court also cited evidence showing that mercenaries from Syria, Russia, Spain, Canada, France, Greece, Lebanon, and countries across the Middle East and Latin America, as well as members of various terrorist organizations, took part in operations against the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. Initially invited to train Armenian troops in sabotage and reconnaissance tactics, many of these fighters were later deployed directly to combat zones.
The trial continues for Armenian citizens accused of a wide range of grave offenses – including crimes against peace and humanity, terrorism, the financing of terrorism, genocide, and violations of the laws and customs of war – committed during Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.
On October 9, the Heads of State of the CIS were invited to an informal dinner in Dushanbe, Azernews reports.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is attending the event.
The famous Colombian painter and sculptor, Fernando Botero, who created the “Boterismo” style by presenting oversized representations of people, animals, and various figures, will have his works exhibited for the first time in Baku on October 31, as part of the “Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Sense the Future NOW” project organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azernews reports.
More than 100 art works by the artist will be showcased at the Heydar Aliyev Center in the solo exhibition titled “The Triumph of Form.” These works represent over 70 years of the artist’s creative journey. Among them are early watercolor works created by Botero when he was just 14 years old, depicting scenes from bullfighting, as well as paintings created using his distinctive technique on canvas. His works are known for their vibrancy and life-affirming qualities. The artist even presents Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” in his own style, in a larger-than-life form. Botero’s sculpture “The Horseman” was sold for $4.3 million at a 2022 Christie’s auction, while his 2023 auction record was set with the sale of the piece titled “Musicians,” which fetched $5.1 million. In total, Botero has created over 3,000 paintings and more than 200 sculptures.
Fernando Botero has attracted widespread attention worldwide. With more than 100 museum exhibitions in over 30 countries and millions of followers, the artist left Colombia at the age of 20, yet his homeland has always remained a source of inspiration for him. Describing himself as “the most Colombian of Colombians,” the central themes of Botero’s works often include childhood memories, Latin American life, still lifes, and bullfights. Through this, he combines the universal spirit of the Italian Renaissance with the life energy of Latin America.
The artist has created sketches for Spain’s “Lope de Vega” theater company, lived in Madrid and Paris in the 1950s, studying the works of great masters, learned fresco techniques at the University of Florence, discovered abstract expressionism in the United States, and illustrated Gabriel García Márquez’s short story “Tuesday Siesta.” Since 1973, he has been working with sculpture, turning to three-dimensional forms.
A documentary film titled “Botero”, dedicated to the life and work of the artist, was released in 2023. The film has won numerous awards in various categories at many festivals.
Efforts to identify Azerbaijanis who went missing during the First Garabagh War continue to yield results, reflecting the country’s ongoing commitment to restoring the dignity of those who disappeared during the conflict, Azernews reports.
Ali Nagiyev, Chairman of the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Missing and Hostage Citizens, announced during the international conference on ‘Joining efforts and expanding cooperation to resolve the problem of missing persons’ that the identities of 251 missing individuals have been established so far.
Information about 187 of them has already been made public, and their remains have been returned to their families for burial in accordance with national and religious traditions. The names of 14 more identified persons are expected to be announced today, while data on another 50 will be disclosed following the completion of legal and investigative procedures.
Nagiyev noted that anthropological studies conducted on the discovered remains confirm they belong to Azerbaijanis who went missing during the First Garabagh War. ‘Currently, the necessary work is being continued by the State Commission to identify other discovered remains,’ he said.
Following the end of the Second Garabagh War in November 2020, a comprehensive process of locating graves, conducting excavations, and identifying remains began in February 2021.
According to Nagiyev, as of October 1, 2025, the remains of about 800 missing persons have been recovered from the liberated territories. ‘From 29 mass graves discovered in those areas, the remains of 218 individuals believed to belong to them were identified and exhumed with the participation of investigative bodies,’ he stated.
He added that large-scale construction activities in the liberated areas have led to the discovery and exhumation of the remains of 342 people. In addition, 210 individuals who perished during the First Garabagh War and were buried without identification in 31 cemeteries across 20 cities and regions were also exhumed from graves of unknown martyrs.
These efforts mark a significant step toward bringing closure to hundreds of Azerbaijani families and ensuring that the memory of those who went missing in the First Garabagh War is honored with the respect they deserve.
The Baku Fintech Forum 2025 has officially opened, bringing together leading voices from the global financial technology ecosystem, Azernews reports.
Organized by the Azerbaijan Fintech Association (AzFina) in partnership with the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Banks Association, the forum serves as a key platform for discussing the future of financial technologies.
The event has attracted participants from numerous countries, including representatives of international financial institutions, fintech companies, banks, and other financial organizations.
Today’s agenda focuses on Open Banking – a transformative development in the financial services industry that promises to enhance connectivity, transparency, and customer control. In the second panel session, titled “Open Banking – A New Era of Financial Connectivity,” key industry leaders will share their insights and experiences.
The discussion will be moderated by Mustafa Baltaci, CEO of Czdan, and will feature speakers including:
Yuliya Salekhova, Deputy Chairwoman of the Association of Payment Organizations of Kazakhstan
Fidan Tofidi, Head of Fintech and Innovations Department at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan
Edgar Abdullayev, Executive Director of United Payment
Rasim Khammadov, CEO of Expresspay
Nazrin Ismayilova, Chief Product Officer at Epoint
Throughout the forum, local and international experts will engage in discussions on recent innovations in the fintech sector. Participants will also share their forecasts for the industry and exchange views on how fintech is shaping the broader financial landscape.
The agenda includes panel discussions on a wide range of topics such as digital payments, artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, and cybersecurity. The forum will also feature the signing of new partnerships, further strengthening collaboration in the fintech sphere.
The closing ceremony of the third Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Games, hosted by Azerbaijan for the first time, has successfully taken place at Ganja Stadium, Azernews reports.
The closing ceremony began with an artistic performance, followed by a general video highlight of the games.
Samir Sharifov, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the third CIS Games, then addressed the audience, stating that the games had concluded successfully:
“Over the course of eleven days, the cities of Ganja, Shaki, Gabala, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Goygol, and Khankendi, which hosted the Games, became both witnesses to and active participants in this magnificent sports festival. Athletes from eight CIS member states, along with participants from five other countries, showcased their talents and determination across 23 sports. They competed for 235 sets of individual and team medals, bringing unforgettable joy, excitement, and pride to millions of sports fans. The success of this grand sports event is a testament to the vision and commitment of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to the development of sports in our country. We can confidently say that the third CIS Games held in Azerbaijan have met the highest standards of organization.”
Afterward, the flag of the third CIS Games was lowered, and the National Anthem of Azerbaijan was played.
The ceremony continued with another artistic performance.
Azerbaijan concluded the Games with an impressive total of 184 medals, including 33 gold, 56 silver, and 95 bronze, securing second place in the overall medal standings.
This result marked Azerbaijan’s best performance at the CIS Games since their inception in 2021.
In the first edition of the Games, Azerbaijan won 60 medals (16 gold, 16 silver, and 28 bronze), and in the second edition, 62 medals (10 gold, 17 silver, and 35 bronze).
Russia topped the medal table with 231 (130-61-40) medals. Belarus secured third place, claiming 122 medals (32-38-52).
Seven cities in Azerbaijan, including Ganja, Shaki, Gabala, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Goygol, and Khankandi proudly hosted the third CIS Games.
A total of 1,624 athletes from 13 countries are participating in the third CIS Games.
Event mascots Babir and Leyla are helping to generate enthusiasm among young fans.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the international conference on “Uniting efforts and enhancing cooperation for addressing the issue of missing persons”, Azernews reports.
“Dear conference participants,
I sincerely greet you on the occasion of the international conference dedicated to the issue of missing persons.
The issue of missing persons remains one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges facing the world today. Over the years, this problem has not diminished in relevance; on the contrary, it has become even more acute. According to the United Nations, the past twenty years have witnessed a significant increase in the number of missing persons, with 2024 marking the highest figure – nearly 57,000 individuals went missing in conflict zones. This is a tragic consequence of the disregard for international legal norms during armed conflicts.
One of the humanitarian tragedies resulting from Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan, which lasted for over 30 years, is the disappearance of approximately 4,000 Azerbaijanis, including children, women, and the elderly. Following the liberation of our territories, 29 mass graves were discovered in these areas. Forensic examinations of the remains found there confirm that the victims were subjected to horrific torture – a deeply distressing reality. The mass killing of people under torture, their inhumane burial, and attempts to conceal the traces of these crimes constitute a grave violation of international legal norms.
Clarifying the fate of those who went missing during the Karabakh War has always been a priority for us. Since 1993, the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been operating. To date, the identities of 187 individuals who went missing during the war have been confirmed, and they have been laid to rest.
The signing of the Joint Declaration and the initialing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia on August 8, 2025, in Washington, with the participation of the President of the United States, is a significant historic event that opens up new opportunities for ensuring lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. The inclusion of a specific clause in the peace agreement concerning persons missing during the conflict demonstrates the importance we attach to this issue. As stipulated in the agreement, clarifying the fate of these individuals is a crucial instrument for fostering reconciliation and building an environment of trust between the parties. In this regard, the Armenian side must provide Azerbaijan with information about the locations of other mass graves where Azerbaijanis were killed and buried.
The Azerbaijani state continues to make significant efforts to draw the international community’s attention to the issue of missing persons. For the third time, our country is hosting an international event dedicated to this topic. Since 2002, Azerbaijan has initiated resolutions at the UN General Assembly on missing persons, encouraging states and international organizations to take necessary measures in this regard. In my view, the United Nations should further intensify its efforts in this area.
I am confident that the discussions to be held within the framework of this conference will make an important contribution to strengthening international cooperation in addressing the issue of missing persons.
Once again, I welcome you all and wish the conference every success,” the address reads.
Azerbaijan must align its financial system with international fintech trends, and the primary responsibility lies in improving the country’s legislative framework.
Azernews reports that this was stated by Zakir Nuriyev, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA), during the Baku Fintech Forum 2025.
According to Nuriyev, one of the key regulatory updates should address how electronic money institutions manage their funds. ‘Currently, there is a requirement for these institutions to hold funds in more than one bank,’ he noted. ‘A similar requirement already exists for other players in the financial sector. For example, insurance companies are obligated to distribute their funds across multiple banks. Extending this requirement to fintech companies could become increasingly important in the near future.’
Nuriyev emphasized that this approach would not only enhance the security of customer funds using payment services but also strengthen the resilience of electronic money institutions.
‘We believe that, in order to advance financial inclusion and improve the application of modern financial approaches, the legal framework must be expanded to allow fintech companies to explore additional areas of activity,’ he added.
The statement reflects growing momentum in Azerbaijan’s financial sector to modernize its regulatory environment in line with global standards, ensuring that fintech development is both secure and sustainable.
As the global economy undergoes rapid transformation-shaped by geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and growing climate-related pressures-the Azerbaijan Halal Business Forum (AZHAB Forum) has emerged as a critical platform for redefining the future of ethical and resilient economic development.
Held in Baku for the second time in 2025, the AZHAB Forum is not merely a sectoral event for halal-certified products; it is a bold attempt to reimagine the role of the halal economy in the global marketplace. With the overarching theme, ‘Halal industry as a source of resilience in the rapidly changing world,’ the forum aligns deeply with the world’s growing appetite for business models rooted in transparency, sustainability, and values-based commerce.
By bringing together government leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, scholars, and international organizations from across OIC member states and beyond, AZHAB has positioned Azerbaijan at the crossroads of ethical trade, green innovation, and interregional cooperation.
As part of the forum’s broader objective to strengthen international partnerships within the halal economy, First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev used the platform to highlight Azerbaijan’s growing trade and diplomatic engagement with OIC member states, underscoring the strategic importance of the Islamic world in Azerbaijan’s economic vision.
In his remarks at the forum, Elnur Aliyev reported that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries reached approximately $6 billion in the first eight months of 2025. He emphasized that Azerbaijan is not only a strong trade partner within the OIC but also an active cultural and diplomatic actor, advancing Islamic solidarity and intercultural dialogue on the global stage.
Citing examples such as Baku’s designation as the Capital of Islamic Culture in 2009 and Nakhchivan’s in 2018, Elnur Aliyev framed Azerbaijan’s leadership in the halal sphere as part of a broader vision of multicultural cooperation and shared development.
He also expressed appreciation to the OIC and its specialized agencies for supporting the AZHAB Forum, underlining that recent economic and trade agreements signed with OIC members aim to simplify trade, enhance customs cooperation, and stimulate cross-border investments.
The AZHAB Forum was marked by two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that demonstrate the halal industry’s increasing integration with sustainability, digital transformation, and global partnership networks:
1. SMBDA and Bilisim Valley (Turkiye) signed a memorandum in support of the Baku Climate Declaration, a COP29-related initiative that promotes green entrepreneurship and environmental protection among SMEs. This move signals the growing convergence between halal principles and climate-conscious innovation, aligning Islamic economic ethics with global ESG standards.
2. A second MoU between the Malaysian Halal Development Corporation Berhad and the SME Alliance paves the way for closer cooperation in halal business development, investment promotion, and knowledge exchange. The agreement links Azerbaijan to Malaysia’s globally recognized halal ecosystem, enhancing the scalability and credibility of Azerbaijan’s own halal sector.
These agreements illustrate a broader trend: halal is evolving from a certification label into a comprehensive business philosophy, increasingly tied to green economy goals and ethical international collaboration.
This evolution was echoed in the keynote speech by Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA). Describing halal trade as a ‘new stage of honest entrepreneurship,’ Mammadov emphasized that halal values must be reflected not just in products, but in business conduct, financial ethics, and social impact.
‘If we maintain honesty, justice and transparency in our economic relations, our profits and our society will be halal,’ he said.
With the global halal economy estimated at $3 trillion, Mammadov stressed the importance of embedding these values into institutional frameworks and SME ecosystems. One key step in this direction is the planned creation of the “SME Network of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO),” which aims to facilitate cross-border knowledge exchange and business development across ECO member states.
The AZHAB Forum’s 2025 theme is not a rhetorical flourish-it reflects the strategic rethinking of global economic systems in the face of fragmentation and volatility. The halal economy, built on principles of fairness, risk-sharing, community engagement, and sustainability, offers a compelling alternative to extractive or speculative growth models.
In an era where trade routes are shifting, supply chains are localizing, and trust is becoming a global currency, the halal sector provides:
– Stable, values-driven consumer demand across both Muslim and non-Muslim markets
– Strong certification systems that can serve as trade advantages
– A built-in emphasis on transparency and accountability
– Potential for resilient digital transformation and SME empowerment
– Moral and psychological grounding for communities navigating global uncertainty
By supporting innovation and ethical growth, the halal industry could become a cornerstone of the post-fragmentation global economy -an economy in which trust, sustainability, and inclusiveness are no longer optional, but essential.
The AZHAB Forum is quickly evolving into more than just a regional event-it is becoming a thought leadership platform at the intersection of faith, ethics, and future-ready economic strategy.
In championing the halal industry as a model for economic resilience, Azerbaijan is not only leveraging its geographic and cultural position but is also offering the world a blueprint for values-based globalization.
At a time when many question the direction of global trade and development, AZHAB’s message is clear: profit and principle can-and must-coexist.