AGP Executive Report

Migration & Mobility: Türkiye saw a 25.2% jump in immigration in 2025, with 393,829 arrivals—most from Turkmenistan, followed by Azerbaijan—while emigration fell 5%, keeping Istanbul as the main hub. Digital Culture & Education: Azerbaijan plans a National Supercomputing Centre to boost AI and high-performance computing, while parliament debates banning under-16s from opening social media accounts and requiring guardian consent for 16–18-year-olds. Heritage on the Move: Rampur Raza Library in India will digitise rare manuscripts via an AI “Talking Books” project, and Azerbaijan’s delegation is in Uzbekistan for maqom-focused events and Turkic cultural capital celebrations. Arts & Festivals: Shahin Novrasli Festival marks its fifth anniversary, expanding from a piano project into a multi-genre international music platform. Books & Community: The first Gazakh Book Fair opens for Samad Vurgun’s 120th anniversary, aiming to strengthen reading culture. Policy & Values: President Aliyev again condemns Islamophobia and defends Islamic cultural heritage, while Azerbaijan’s Shura Council speaker stresses dialogue and negotiation as the way to resolve crises.

OIC in Baku: Azerbaijan hosted the 20th Session of the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States, with President Ilham Aliyev stressing Islamic solidarity and calling attacks on Islamic cultural heritage a form of Islamophobia. Islamic reform talk: Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş used the same OIC forum to call for “A-to-Z” reform across the Islamic world and welcomed US-Iran negotiation progress. Culture diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Culture Ministry led a delegation to Uzbekistan for maqom-focused events, including the 3rd International Maqom Art Forum and Andijan’s “Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026” launch. Local arts spotlight: The Shahin Novrasli Festival marked its fifth anniversary, expanding from a piano project into a multi-genre international music platform. Heritage & creativity: Azerkhalcha unveiled the limited-edition “From Sketch to Carpet” collection in Icherisheher, blending contemporary art with traditional carpet schools. Youth online rules: Parliament is considering a draft to bar under-16s from creating social media accounts, with 16–18-year-olds allowed only with guardian consent. Book culture: Gazakh opened its first Book Fair in honor of Samad Vurgun, aiming to boost reading habits and regional book culture. Archaeology find: Glazed ceramic fragments were discovered in Salyan’s Sarvan village, potentially pointing to an ancient settlement.

U.S.-Azerbaijan Rights Debate: An international conference on “The right of return and self-determination” is set for June 24 at the U.S. Capitol, organized by the Baku Initiative Group, focusing on allegations of ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis and the legal idea of a safe, voluntary return. Culture & Diplomacy: Azerbaijan is showcasing its heritage and tourism at the Algeria International Fair in Algiers, with a dedicated embassy pavilion and cultural materials for visitors. Arts in the Regions: Lankaran State Drama Theatre wrapped up a tour supported by the Culture Ministry, scoring a warm reception in Shaki with “The Wedding Dress.” Education & Youth: The Presidential Library hosted the “Children and Law” book presentation, aimed at boosting children’s rights awareness and legal literacy. Media & Justice: In the Toplum TV case, prosecutors requested 13- to 16-year prison sentences for defendants, plus position bans and confiscations, with the next hearing scheduled for June 22. Sports Cooperation: Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan discussed sports collaboration, including mutual visits and a planned working group trip to Baku.

U.S.-Azerbaijan Rights Conference: An international conference on “Right of Return and Self-Determination” is set for June 24 inside the U.S. Congress, organized by the Baku Initiative Group, focusing on claims of ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis by Armenia and the right to return, alongside discussion of cultural and historical heritage. Capitol Hill Pressure: A separate June 23 bipartisan Capitol Hill press conference marks the 1,000th day of Azerbaijani detention of Artsakh leaders, POWs and civilian hostages, as U.S. lawmakers prepare votes tied to release demands. Children & Law: In Baku, the Presidential Library presented the book “Children and Law,” spotlighting children’s rights and legal awareness with government and NGO participation. Culture on Tour: Lankaran State Drama Theatre wrapped up a regional tour in Shaki, staging Huseynbala Miralamov’s “The Wedding Dress” to warm local reception. Tango in Icherisheher: Baku’s Argentine tango festival “El Calor en Baku” culminates June 24 with a Gardel tribute concert at the Baku Music Academy Opera Studio. Sports Diplomacy: Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan expand sports cooperation, with meetings and planned working-group visits to Baku. Tech & Education: ICESCO in Baku closed an Arabic language training program for educators, while Azerbaijan also moves to tighten rules on restricting internet information resources in specific cases.

Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan Cultural Diplomacy: President Ilham Aliyev told Turkmenistan’s Serdar Berdimuhamedov that ties are grounded in “historical and cultural” bonds, pointing to recent Azerbaijan Days of Culture in Ashgabat/Arkadag and Turkmen cultural visits to Baku and Ganja. Heritage & Digital Culture: Gilavar Photo Club unveiled its “IRS” digital archive project to document Azerbaijan’s historical, architectural and archaeological monuments, expanding an online database with hundreds of sites and thousands of photos. UN Public Service Awards: Azerbaijan is among countries with initiatives recognized for advancing inclusivity, gender equality and better public services, including an early childhood education program for stateless and ethnic minority children. Education & Youth: A Baku student, Ali Aghakishiyev, was named Azerbaijan’s 2026 Youth Literacy Ambassador, tasked with leading local literacy projects. Arts & Festivals: The El Calor en Baku tango festival opened in Icherisheher, bringing Argentine tango culture to the historic city center. Sports for Kids: Taekwondo champions were crowned at Azerbaijan’s National Schoolchildren’s Sports Olympiad, with 128 young athletes competing across weight categories. International Cultural Memory: A documentary on WWII hero Mehdi Huseynzade premiered in Ljubljana, linking Slovenian resistance history with Azerbaijani remembrance.

Cultural Diplomacy: Azerbaijan is pushing cultural dialogue as a bridge between nations, with Baku hosting international talks and events tied to the upcoming 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue. Heritage Goes Digital: Gilavar Photo Club unveiled its “IRS” digital archive project to document Azerbaijan’s historical, architectural, and archaeological monuments, expanding an online database with new regions and thousands of photos. Arts & Festivals: The El Calor en Baku – Azerbaijan Tango Festival kicked off in Icherisheher, turning the historic center into a dance-and-music celebration with international guests. Education & Youth: A Baku student was named Azerbaijan’s 2026 Youth Literacy Ambassador, tasked with leading local literacy projects and raising awareness of children falling behind in reading. Sports & Community: Taekwondo champions were crowned at the National Schoolchildren’s Sports Olympiad, while Azerbaijan also announced new youth and sports cooperation initiatives. Regional Spotlight: Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan exchanged multiple documents during President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s state visit, including customs, sports, and labor-related cooperation. Academic Expansion: BUCT-BEU Faculty of Engineering will admit its first students in 2026–2027 under a dual-diploma 3+1 model with Beijing University of Chemical Technology.

UN Climate Talks: UN climate chief Simon Stiell warned countries not to backslide on commitments as Bonn negotiations closed with major gaps still unresolved, especially on adaptation and mitigation. Football & Culture: Ahead of the All Whites vs Egypt pool match, fans get the full rundown on Egypt’s squad and match details for June 22. Azerbaijan Education & Media: Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency condemned misleading headlines about 2025/26 exam results, urging outlets to stick to proper sourcing and context. Heritage in Focus: A conference in Baku marked the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayli, spotlighting the “first women composers” from his school. Cultural Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli met Italy’s counterpart in Rome to push cooperation on heritage protection, museums, creative industries, music, and performing arts. Diaspora & Language: Azerbaijani community representatives met in Belgrade to boost diaspora initiatives, including language and culture promotion. Human Rights & Justice: A Baku court rejected motions to transfer rights activist Namizad Safarov to house arrest, keeping him in pretrial detention. Tech Skills for Life: An EU-funded “Digital Marketing Essentials” course is helping Azerbaijani professionals build future-ready skills for digital-first business growth.

Cultural Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli met Italy’s counterpart in Rome to push new museum, creative industries, cinematography, music, and performing-arts cooperation, including mutual cultural days and exhibitions. Heritage & Education: A conference in Baku marked the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayli, spotlighting his students who became the first women composers—Aghabaji Rzayeva, Adila Huseynzade, and Shafiga Akhundova—highlighting their lasting legacy. Diaspora & Community: Azerbaijani community representatives gathered in Belgrade to strengthen diaspora initiatives, with language and culture center efforts focused on teaching Azerbaijani and promoting heritage. International Cultural Exchange: An Azerbaijani author presented the Japanese-language book “A Strategy Called Azerbaijan” in Tokyo, pairing geopolitics with Azerbaijani cuisine and noting rising Japanese interest. Media Literacy: Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency criticized outlets for misleading “Abituriyent” exam statistics coverage, urging accurate context and responsible reporting. Human Rights & Digital Risks: A Baku summit on human rights and AI brought ombuds institutions together, discussing data protection, privacy, and disinformation.

Cultural diplomacy in focus: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli met Italy’s culture leadership in Rome to push new cooperation on heritage protection, museums, creative industries, film, music and performing arts. Heritage & music: A conference in Baku marked the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayli, spotlighting the “first women composers” from his school, while the International Mugham Center hosted an anniversary evening for a renowned tar maestro. Education policy: Azerbaijan’s general education reform draft adds national identity and secularism as key state principles. Human rights & media: Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency condemned misleading “Abituriyent” exam-statistics headlines. Diaspora & community: Azerbaijani diaspora representatives gathered in Serbia to strengthen language and culture initiatives. International spotlight: An Azerbaijani author presented a Japanese-language book, “A Strategy Called Azerbaijan,” in Tokyo, with guests sampling traditional cuisine. Regional human rights pressure: A report says Bahrain stripped citizenship from families, including a baby, leaving them stuck in exile. Tech & surveillance risk: A new global report warns digital surveillance is expanding worldwide, raising risks for activists and journalists.

Human Rights & AI: An International Ombudsmen Summit on “Human Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” was held in Baku, with discussions on data protection, privacy, and disinformation, plus a focus on digital literacy and women’s access to tech. Media Accountability: Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency condemned misleading interpretations of student exam statistics, calling out sensational headlines and urging proper context and methodology. Diaspora & Culture: Azerbaijani community representatives met in Serbia to boost diaspora initiatives, with the Belgrade language-and-culture center highlighting Azerbaijani heritage and language teaching. Cultural Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli met Italy’s counterpart in Rome to expand cooperation in heritage protection, museums, creative industries, cinema, music, and performing arts. Education Policy: Milli Majlis advanced a draft law adding national identity and secularism as key principles for general education. Music & Heritage: A conference in Baku marked Uzeyir Hajibayli’s 140th anniversary, spotlighting the first women composers from his school. Food Culture: Azerbaijan’s national cuisine was showcased in Sofia for Sustainable Gastronomy Day, featuring dishes and sweets tied to Azerbaijani culinary traditions. Tech Skills: An EU-funded “Digital Marketing Essentials” course is helping Azerbaijani professionals build future-ready marketing skills. Surveillance Watch: Human Rights Watch renewed scrutiny of Bulgaria’s surveillance exports, linking leaked licenses to potential spyware and interception sales involving Azerbaijan.

Digital Skills Boost: An EU-funded “Digital Marketing Essentials” course is helping Azerbaijani professionals learn digital-first tools for PR, branding, and growth—free and in Azerbaijani. Cultural Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli met Italy’s culture leadership in Rome to expand cooperation in heritage, museums, creative industries, cinema, music, and performing arts. Music & Heritage: A Baku conference marked the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayli, spotlighting his students who became the first women composers in the East. Education Policy: Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis discussed adding national identity and secularism as key principles in general education law. International Development in Baku: The IsDB Group Annual Meetings opened under President Ilham Aliyev, with major financing agreements signed across transport, energy, education, agriculture, and rural livelihoods. Human Rights & Tech Scrutiny: Human Rights Watch renewed concerns after leaked Bulgarian export licenses linked surveillance tech exports to repression-risk countries, including Azerbaijan. Regional Politics: A Baku court kept human rights activist Namizad Safarov in custody, rejecting a transfer to house arrest. Diaspora/Identity Tension: Azerbaijan’s “Western Azerbaijan” messaging continued via a festival-conference in Nakhchivan, framing return as a state policy and historical mission.

Cultural Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli met Italy’s culture chief in Rome to expand cooperation in heritage protection, museums, creative industries, music and performing arts. Music & Heritage: A Baku conference marked the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayli, spotlighting his students who became the first women composers in the East. Education Policy: Azerbaijan’s general education law draft adds national identity and secularism as core state principles. Mugham Spotlight: Sahib Pashazade chaired Uzbekistan’s State Conservatory exams for folk instruments and led a masterclass featuring Azerbaijani composers. Exhibition in Focus: The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum opened “Threads of Remembrance,” using textile art to explore memory, language and ecological ties between Finland and Azerbaijan. International Partnerships: ADA University’s delegation visited the Polytechnic University of Turin to grow education and research cooperation. Food Culture Abroad: Azerbaijan’s national cuisine was presented in Sofia for Sustainable Gastronomy Day, featuring UNESCO-linked traditions like lavash and dolma. Arts Calendar: Azerbaijan Tango Festival unveiled its program, with events set to open in Icherisheher. Human Rights Watch: HRW reported leaked Bulgarian export licences for phone-tracking and interception tools linked to Circles/NSO, raising new questions about EU surveillance controls.

Human Rights & AI: President Ilham Aliyev opened the International Baku Ombudsmen Summit on “Human Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” stressing responsible tech use and human welfare. Anti-Hate Speech & Rights Diplomacy: Azerbaijan marked International Day for Countering Hate Speech and urged action against racism, discrimination, and Islamophobia at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Culture & Memory: The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum launched “Threads of Remembrance,” using textile art to explore cultural memory and endangered languages, with international artists and partners. Music & Heritage: The International Mugham Center held an anniversary evening honoring renowned tar maestro Vamig Mammadaliyev, highlighting his role in preserving mugham and training new performers. STEM for Youth: Azerbaijan officially joined the Formula 1-backed STEM Racing Programme, inaugurating a STEM Racing Hub and preparing the “Caspian Apex” team for world finals in Singapore. Courts & Freedoms: A Baku Court of Appeal upheld the arrest of journalist Afgan Sadigov, keeping him in custody. Education & Exchange: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli met UNESCO leadership in Paris, focusing on heritage protection and intercultural dialogue. International Cooperation: IsDB Annual Meetings opened in Baku with Aliyev in attendance, alongside new partnership talks with development partners.

Carpet Museum Opening: The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum unveiled “Threads of Remembrance,” using textile as a living medium for memory, language, and intergenerational care, with Finnish and Azerbaijani cultural voices in attendance. Mugham Spotlight: The International Mugham Center marked the 80th anniversary of tar maestro Vamig Mammadaliyev, celebrating his legacy in preserving mugham and training new performers. Tango in Icherisheher: The El Calor en Baku – Azerbaijan Tango Festival program was announced, with the June 20 opening ceremony set to turn Icherisheher streets into a six-day mix of music, dance, masterclasses, film, and gastronomy. Heritage at UNESCO: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Karimli attended UNESCO’s intangible heritage sessions in Paris, highlighting national protection efforts and international cooperation. STEM for Youth: Azerbaijan officially joined the Formula 1-backed STEM Racing Programme, launching a STEM Racing Hub to train students in engineering and teamwork. AI & Education: Bakcell backed the AI Strategy Summit Baku 2026 at the European Azerbaijan School, focusing on how schools can prepare for AI-driven futures. Human Rights & Hate Speech: June 18 marked the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, while Azerbaijan also raised concerns about racism, discrimination, and Islamophobia in Europe at the UN Human Rights Council. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke by phone with Bangladesh’s FM, discussing education, humanitarian cooperation, and multilateral coordination.

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.

UNESCO & Culture Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Culture Minister Adil Kerimli met UNESCO officials in Paris to deepen cooperation on heritage protection, museum work, creative industries, intercultural dialogue, and joint projects (including the SECURE heritage initiative). 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. Arts & Heritage in Focus: The National Art Museum presented Olaf Viggo Langner’s “Shirvanshahs’ Palace. Minaret” (1911) and discussed Baku’s image through foreign artists, highlighting the artwork’s 2024 acquisition and scholarly study. Youth Development Forum: At the IsDB Group meetings in Baku, the 14th Youth Development Forum explored how regional integration can boost youth employment, entrepreneurship, mobility, and innovation. Robotics & STEAM: RobotChallenge Azerbaijan 2026 wrapped up with 600+ participants and 200+ teams, supported by Azercell and the Youth and Sports Ministry. Culture Events: A documentary screening in Ljubljana spotlighted Azerbaijani partisan Mehdi Huseynzade, while Baku’s National Salvation Day programming continued with major concerts and exhibitions.