Azerbaijan–Korea Ties: South Korea asked Azerbaijan to back wider participation by Korean firms in infrastructure and development projects, as officials met in Baku to discuss trade, investment, transport, digital development, education and energy security. UNESCO & Culture Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli met UNESCO leaders in Paris to deepen cooperation on cultural heritage protection, intangible heritage, intercultural dialogue and humanitarian initiatives, with talks also tied to the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. STEM for Youth: Azerbaijan officially joined the Formula 1-backed STEM Racing Programme, launching a STEM Racing Hub and preparing the “Caspian Apex” team for the 2026 world final in Singapore. Robotics & Innovation: Azercell-backed RobotChallenge Azerbaijan 2026 wrapped up its national stage, bringing 600+ participants and 200+ teams to promote STEAM skills. Humanitarian Development: IsDB’s GIFR signed a strategic waqf-based partnership with Qatar Charity to scale support for refugees and displaced communities across IsDB member countries. Arts & Heritage: The National Art Museum presented and discussed Olaf Viggo Langner’s “Shirvanshahs’ Palace. Minaret” (1911), linking foreign-artist depictions to Azerbaijan’s cultural memory. Rights & Activism: Azerbaijani activist Asef Akhmedov received an eight-year prison sentence in a case tied to Western NGO grants, which he and observers say targets public activity.