AGP Executive Report

SALAM Film Festival: The 5th SALAM International Children’s and Youth Film Festival wrapped in Baku with an awards ceremony at the Nizami Cinema Center, bringing together about 440 young participants and industry guests for screenings, director talks, master classes, and a hands-on CINEMARATHON. Nomadic Heritage on the Global Stage: Azerbaijan’s leaders attended the opening of the 6th World Nomad Games in Bishkek, an event running until Sept. 6 that spotlights traditional sports and culture across 100+ countries. SCO in Bishkek: The 26th SCO Summit gathered major leaders in Kyrgyzstan, with Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev among those in the expanded “SCO Plus” format, while regional diplomacy and economic connectivity stayed on the agenda. Armenian Language in Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan’s parliament welcomed the start of Armenian language instruction at Baku Slavic University from the 2026–2027 academic year, framing it as a future-facing step for building specialists for peace and diplomacy. Human Rights Case: An Armenian human rights activist filed a complaint at the ECtHR over alleged violations of the rights of 15 Armenians held in Azerbaijan, challenging the fairness and jurisdiction of the trials.

World Nomad Games in Bishkek: Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening of the 6th World Nomad Games, with the event running until Sept 6 and spotlighting traditional sports and nomadic heritage; Azerbaijan is represented across sports, culture and a scientific program. Eurasian diplomacy via SCO: The SCO summit is underway in Bishkek, drawing leaders from 21 countries and “dialogue partners,” with Azerbaijan and Armenia also in the mix as the bloc pushes regional connectivity, trade and cultural cooperation. Azerbaijan–Kyrgyz cultural links: A piece highlights growing ties between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, pointing to shared epic traditions—Kyrgyz “Manas” and Azerbaijani “Dede Korkut”—as a cultural bridge. Film industry update: The Azerbaijan Filmmakers Union board appointed Shafiga Mammadova as acting chair and set its upcoming conference for Sept 11. Human rights/legal pressure: An ECtHR group complaint was filed over alleged fair-trial violations involving 15 Armenians detained in Azerbaijan. Culture abroad: Azerbaijan’s heritage—music, dance and crafts—was showcased at festivals in Norway, including Oslo events featuring Azerbaijani performers and community youth.

Azerbaijan Film Scene: The Azerbaijan Filmmakers Union board met and set its upcoming conference for September 11, temporarily entrusting Shafiga Mammadova with chair duties while reviewing membership and accepting resignations from Ali Isa Jabarov. Tourism & Heritage: The Gala Fig Festival in Gala State Historical and Ethnographic Reserve turned Absheron’s fig tradition into a full cultural day—carpet and craft workshops, puppet theatre, tastings, and music/DJ sets. Regional Culture Spotlight: Azerbaijan Tourism Board roadshows in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (Shymkent, Almaty, Astana, Tashkent) drew 400+ industry players and pushed year-round travel themes from Caspian seaside breaks to gastronomy and cultural tourism. UNESCO & Intercultural Dialogue: Azerbaijan’s new UNESCO envoy, Fakhraddin Ismayilov, presented credentials and discussed expanding cooperation, including preparations for the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku (Oct 27–29). Education & Arts Access: The Lorik Humanitarian Fund launched its 2026–27 Aznavour Saghyan scholarship campaign for displaced Artsakh students, continuing tuition support across Armenia. Human Rights Watch: International attention also focused on claims that detained opposition leader Ali Karimli is being denied safe drinking water in prison.

Festival & Heritage: The Gala Fig Festival returned to the Gala State Historical and Ethnographic Reserve, turning Absheron’s fig tradition into a full day of crafts, music, DJ sets, puppet shows, and hands-on workshops like “Paint Your Own Fig,” plus a “Fig Laboratory” tasting area and carpet-weaving demos. Tourism Push: Azerbaijan’s Tourism Board rolled out roadshows in Shymkent, Almaty, Astana and Tashkent, drawing 400+ industry players from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for B2B meetings and presentations on Caspian seaside holidays, mountain and health tourism, gastronomy, and cultural experiences. Education & Culture Skills: The Culture Ministry’s MEMİM unveiled curricula for new arts-school disciplines—artistic ceramics, fashion design, digital music, 3D character animation and photography—aimed at preparing teens for modern creative careers. UNESCO & Mugham: Azerbaijan’s new UNESCO envoy, Fakhraddin Ismayilov, presented credentials and discussed preparations for the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku; meanwhile, the Presidential Library marked the International Day of Azerbaijani Mugham with an event on spiritual values and cultural revival. Governance & Oversight: Azerbaijan’s Chamber of Accounts held a collegium meeting approving audit reports on education quality assurance and on public funds use in Shahbuz (Nakhchivan). Human Rights Spotlight: International attention grew around detained opposition leader Ali Karimli, with his family alleging prison authorities are denying him safe drinking water. Regional News: CIS news agencies met in Kyrgyzstan to coordinate information support for tourism and promote the World Nomad Games as culture, sport and identity.

Tourism & Culture Diplomacy: Azerbaijan Tourism Board and partners (incl. AZAL) ran roadshows in Shymkent, Almaty, Astana and Tashkent, pitching Azerbaijan’s year-round mix—Caspian beach breaks, ski and wellness, gastronomy, adventure and cultural trips—plus B2B meetings that drew 400+ industry players. UNESCO & Mugham: Azerbaijan’s new UNESCO envoy presented credentials to the Director-General, with plans tied to the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku (Oct 27–29); meanwhile, the Presidential Library marked International Day of Azerbaijani Mugham with a focus on spiritual values and heritage revival. Arts Education Upgrade: The Culture Ministry’s MEMİM rolled out curricula for new creative disciplines in arts schools: artistic ceramics, fashion design, digital music, 3D character animation and photography. Higher Education & Skills: Azerbaijan–Türkiye cooperation expands in engineering via Karabakh University and Istanbul Technical University dual-degree plans; Baku Engineering University also reported a sharp rise in 2026–2027 admissions. Regional Heritage Spotlight: Japan’s Jiji Press highlighted Shusha’s reconstruction and tourism build-up, noting visible changes along Karabakh Street and the city’s cultural comeback. Media Freedom: Instagram* blocked pages of independent outlets Abzas Media and Toplum TV after copyright complaints, with editors alleging coordinated pressure.

Capital Markets & Finance: Azerbaijan’s bond market may get a boost as the Baku Stock Exchange moves toward automating the secondary bond segment, potentially making corporate bonds easier to trade instead of only holding to maturity. Cultural Heritage & Tourism: Japan’s Jiji Press highlights Shusha’s rapid reconstruction, describing new traditional-style streetscapes and tourism infrastructure, with hundreds of thousands of visitors reported for 2025. Diplomacy & Regional Politics: Azerbaijan reacts sharply to a Polish TV report alleging repressions and “de-Armenization” narratives, summoning the Polish ambassador over what Baku calls biased claims. Education & Creative Industries: Azerbaijan’s Culture Ministry prepares new arts-school curricula in artistic ceramics, fashion design, digital music, 3D character animation, and photography. Arts & Tradition: The Presidential Library marks International Day of Azerbaijani Mugham with a focus on spiritual values and cultural continuity. International Cooperation: Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan deepen partnership talks in Astana, including cultural ties and support for reconstruction in Karabakh. Student Mobility: BEU’s first 37 students depart for China under a BEU–BUCT dual-degree program. Tourism Promotion: Azerbaijan Tourism Board roadshows in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan push year-round travel, culture, cuisine, and B2B cooperation.

Azerbaijan–Kazakhstan Cultural Ties: Azerbaijani MP Gunay Efendiyeva met Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Culture Minister Aida Balayeva in Astana, discussing Kurultai elections and how cultural projects can deepen the strategic partnership, including support for Karabakh reconstruction. UNESCO & Mugham Spotlight: Azerbaijan’s new UNESCO envoy Fakhraddin Ismayilov presented credentials to the Director-General, while the Presidential Library marked the International Day of Azerbaijani Mugham with a program on spiritual values and heritage. Tourism Push Across Borders: The Azerbaijan Tourism Board rolled out roadshows in Shymkent, Almaty, Astana and Tashkent, pitching year-round travel—from Caspian beach breaks to ski, wellness, food and cultural experiences. Higher Education & Creative Skills: Karabakh University and Istanbul Technical University plan engineering dual-degree and research cooperation, and Azerbaijan’s culture ministry introduced new arts-school curricula in creative fields like digital music, 3D animation, fashion design, photography and artistic ceramics. Education Mobility: Baku Engineering University’s BEU–BUCT dual-degree program sent the first 37 students to China, while BEU admission indicators hit a new high. Media & Rights: Instagram* blocked Abzas Media and Toplum TV pages after copyright complaints, with editors alleging a coordinated campaign against independent outlets. Public Safety Concern: A Dagestan kidnapping case targeting a child to pressure a mother highlights ongoing violence against women in the region.

Education & Mobility: Baku Engineering University’s admission drive keeps climbing, with 2,881 students initially enrolled for 2026–2027—up about 145% from the prior year—showing growing demand for its modern, internationalized model. Higher Education Cooperation: Azerbaijan and Türkiye are set to expand engineering education through a new dual-degree setup linking Karabakh University with Istanbul Technical University, backed by a Türkiye decision signed Aug. 27. Arts Education Update: Azerbaijan’s Culture Ministry has drafted curricula for five new creative disciplines for arts schools: artistic ceramics, fashion design, digital music, 3D character animation, and photography. Culture & Heritage: The Presidential Library marked International Day of Azerbaijani Mugham with an event on mugham’s spiritual mission and its revival in liberated Lachin. Tourism Promotion: Azerbaijan’s Tourism Board ran roadshows in Shymkent, Almaty, Astana, and Tashkent, pitching year-round travel and boosting B2B ties. Media Freedom: Instagram* blocked Abzas Media and Toplum TV pages after copyright complaints, with editors calling it part of a coordinated pressure campaign. International Spotlight: Azerbaijan’s new UNESCO envoy, Fakhraddin Ismayilov, presented credentials and discussed preparations for the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku. Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Deputy FM Yalchin Rafiyev attended an OIC foreign ministers session in Jeddah, as Azerbaijan prepares to host the OIC Summit in 2027. Public Safety (Women’s Rights): A kidnapping case in Dagestan continues to highlight violence against women and the use of children to pressure mothers.

Human Capital & AI Training: NEQSOL Holding picked up four Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards, including a Gold for its AI Upskilling Program, highlighting “preskilling” for future-ready skills. Baku Film Culture: “The Last Blossom” (by Baku Kinoshita) lands in theaters Aug 30–31, blending comedy and tears in a found-family story. Climate Action with Real-World Payoff: COP31’s Action Agenda pushes the Climate Implementation Bridge to turn climate pledges into investable, project-ready portfolios. Immigration Policy Shift: A U.S. court struck down a State Department immigrant visa ban affecting 75 countries, including Azerbaijan—good news for families planning moves. Education & Research Links: Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University expands cooperation with Uzbek universities, including green chemistry and intelligent automation conferences. Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Academic Bridge: Garabagh University will launch an English-taught dual-degree with Istanbul Technical University from 2026/27. Youth Film in Baku: SALAM International Youth Film Festival continues with filmmaking workshops and discussions on bullying. Cultural Heritage Spotlight: Lachin International Film Festival wraps up after selecting 38 films from 47 countries, with a Garabagh premiere. Demography Watch: Azerbaijan’s annual births fell below 100,000 for the first time in the period reviewed, signaling a long-term social and economic ripple.

Diplomacy & Community: Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry denounced a Moscow embassy rally by leftist activists as a provocation, amid posters tied to cases involving Russian citizens. Education & Science: Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University is expanding ties with Uzbek universities, with major conferences in green chemistry and intelligent industrial automation planned for late 2026. Higher Education: Garabagh University will launch an English-taught dual-degree engineering program with Istanbul Technical University from 2026/27, with students splitting studies between Khankendi and Istanbul. Culture & Arts: In Kazakhstan, Azerbaijani art and national wrestling traditions were showcased in Astana, strengthening cultural diplomacy. Film & Youth Culture: Lachin International Film Festival wrapped up, while Baku’s SALAM Youth Film Festival pushed filmmaking workshops and talks on bullying. Language & Campus Life: Armenian language classes are set to begin at Baku Slavic University in 2026/27, joining other Azerbaijani universities that already teach it. Lifestyle & Society: Azerbaijan’s annual births have fallen below 100,000 for the first time in the past decade, signaling a major demographic shift.

Demography & Families: Azerbaijan’s annual births have dropped below 100,000 for the first time in the past decade, falling from 166,210 in 2015 to 95,875 in 2025 (down 42.3%), with the number of children under one year also shrinking by about 42.8%. Education & Health Careers: Passing scores for medicine and dentistry rose in 2026, with Medicine up to 638.5 and Dentistry to 627.8 (Azerbaijan Medical University), signaling tougher entry for health specialties. Culture in Lachin: Lachin City Day is set for Aug. 26 with concerts, dances, and performances celebrating national music and heritage, including a riverside concert program. Arts & Youth Film: SALAM International Youth Film Festival opened in Baku (Aug. 24–27), bringing young filmmakers and international delegations together at the Nizami Cinema Center. Mugham Spotlight: A feature highlights mugham as a living tradition—improvised, emotional, and carried through centuries. Community & Inclusion: Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening of Baku’s new nursery-kindergarten No. 352 in Nasimi, including upgraded conditions for hearing-impaired children. Sports: Sabah FC reached the Champions League league phase for the first time, led by coach Valdas Dambrauskas.

Lachin City Day: Lachin marked its City Day with a festive concert program by the President’s Special Representative Office in Lachin and the Culture Ministry, featuring national songs and dances like “Uzundara” and “Yalli,” as the city continues rebuilding and cultural revival after returning to Azerbaijani control. Cultural diplomacy & heritage: The SALAM International Youth Film Festival opened in Baku at the Nizami Cinema Center, bringing together young filmmakers and guests from several countries and positioning cinema as a bridge across cultures. Mugham spotlight: A feature on mugham underlined it as a living tradition—improvised, mode-based, and carried through centuries through performance and poetry. Arts education: Mehriban Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva attended the opening of Bilgah Art School in Baku, a new 220-seat facility with music, art, design, choreography and more. Early childhood support: Aliyeva also attended the opening of a renovated nursery-kindergarten No. 352 in Nasimi district for 116 children, including hearing-impaired groups. Youth scholarships: MyStart brought together audiovisual arts students abroad and those starting this year, with ARKA and cultural-policy talks on building the audiovisual sector. International ties: Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent birthday congratulations to Mehriban Aliyeva, praising her role in education, culture and strengthening Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan ties.

Youth & Sports: Antigua and Barbuda confirmed it will send a 14-member squad to FIFA’s first Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan (Oct 22–31), with players born in 2011–2012, fully funded by FIFA. Culture & Arts Education: MyStart scholarship meetings brought together Azerbaijani audiovisual arts students abroad and applicants, with Culture Ministry-linked speakers highlighting the “Azerbaijani Culture-2040” concept and support for studying overseas. Music & Heritage: Azerbaijan marked the passing of People’s Artist Tofig Bakikhanov, with a farewell ceremony at Tazapir Mosque and burial planned at the Second Alley of Honour. International Cultural Exchange: The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum returned to the spotlight at Budapest’s Folk Art Festival, running master classes on carpet weaving and kelaghayi. Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Cultural Diplomacy: Leyla Aliyeva visited works from the first Bukhara Biennial during Aliyev’s state visit, as Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed a Treaty on Eternal Friendship and pushed cultural ties alongside economic and transport plans. Education Milestone: A new record was reported in Azerbaijani university admissions, with ADA University’s Computer Science passing score reaching 697.

Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Alliance: President Ilham Aliyev’s Uzbekistan visit pushes ties beyond politics into production chains and transport connectivity, with analysts framing it as the Turkic world’s shift from cultural unity to economic power. Cultural Diplomacy: Leyla Aliyeva toured the Bukhara Biennial, while Tashkent’s Islamic Civilization Center—an 8-year, 10-hectare Islamic heritage complex—showcased architecture and crafts that feel familiar to Azerbaijani audiences. Arts & Heritage: Baku marked the farewell for People’s Artist Tofig Bakikhanov, and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum returned from Budapest’s Folk Art Festival with master classes on carpet weaving and kelaghayi. Education & Youth: The MyStart scholarship meeting backed audiovisual arts students abroad and tied support to the “Azerbaijan Culture–2040” concept. Science Links: Milli Majlis culture committee chair Gunay Afandiyeva met Kazakhstan’s science minister, stressing university and research exchanges to strengthen Turkic integration. Community Moments: Azerbaijan recorded a new education passing-score record at ADA University, and a martyr’s mother received a student name. Regional News: AFP journalists were attacked by Israeli settlers in the West Bank; Armenia’s former president Robert Kocharian was arrested on corruption charges.

Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Cultural Diplomacy: Leyla Aliyeva toured works from the first Bukhara Biennial during President Ilham Aliyev’s Uzbekistan state visit, with the event now set to return in 2027. Eternal Friendship Treaty: The two leaders signed a Treaty on Eternal Friendship in Tashkent, aiming to lift trade to $1bn by 2030 and expand cooperation across banking, energy, tourism, mining, IT, education, and transport. Education Milestone: Azerbaijan recorded a new education record as ADA University’s Computer Science passing score hit 697 after winners of Republican Subject Olympiads were placed. Literary Heritage: Azerbaijan marked the 114th anniversary of poet Mirvarid Dilbazi, celebrated for verses on love, homeland, motherhood, and women’s lives. Arts & Craft Spotlight: The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum represented the country at Budapest’s Festival of Folk Arts, running carpet-weaving and kelaghayi master classes. Human Stories in Education: A martyr’s mother, Maya Guliyeva, was admitted to Azerbaijan State Agrarian University, continuing a focus on education and remembrance. Court Ruling: In Baku, the appellate court upheld the verdict against human rights defender Rufat Safarov, with defense preparing a cassation appeal.

Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan “Eternal Friendship” Treaty: A new legal framework was hailed as a long-term strategic foundation, designed to keep the partnership stable regardless of politics and to turn “brotherhood” into real business—banking, energy, tourism, mining, agriculture, textiles, IT and more. Culture diplomacy in Tashkent: Leyla Aliyeva toured works at the first Bukhara Biennial, while the First Ladies visited the “Okhun Gozar” art space featuring ceramics, needlework, jewelry and woodcarving. Education & heritage links: Leaders attended the opening of the National Pedagogical University named after Nizami Ganjavi and laid groundwork for an “Azerbaijan” Park in New Tashkent; Hikmat Hajiyev also shared a “Karabakh to Bukhara” science-and-friendship message tied to Yusif Garabaghi. Media cooperation: Uzbek journalists stressed that joint coverage and professional exchanges help audiences understand shared history, culture and values. Arts on the move: Azerbaijan’s National Carpet Museum returned to Budapest’s Folk Arts Festival with carpet-weaving and kelaghayi master classes. Sports culture: Euronews highlighted plans for Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan to co-host the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027. Regional note: Azerbaijan’s appellate court upheld the verdict against human rights defender Rufat Safarov, with defense preparing a cassation appeal.