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Saturday January 17 2026
Can new state program reverse Azerbaijan’s tourism slowdown?

Can new state program reverse Azerbaijan’s tourism slowdown?

On paper, Azerbaijan should be a tourism success story. She wants more tourists, and quickly. A new state program aims to lift annual arrivals to between five and six million within a few years, roughly double today’s level. As Baku prepares a new tourism program with ambitious numerical targets, the gap between aspiration and performance has become harder to ignore. Ambitions are optimistic and perhaps plausible, but what were the problems before, and what should be done to see a rise in stagnant numbers?

Nation
Azerbaijan introduces phased plan for modern cultural model

Azerbaijan introduces phased plan for modern cultural model

On January 14, 2026, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed an official decree approving the ambitious "Azerbaijani Culture – 2040" Cultural Concept, a strategic framework designed to guide the nation's cultural development for the next two decades and beyond, Azernews reports.

Oil & Gas
Petroleum coke exports surge in 2025 after fluctuation in previous years

Petroleum coke exports surge in 2025 after fluctuation in previous years

In the first eleven months of 2025, Azerbaijan exported about 195 thousand tons of petroleum coke worth $59.9 million, according to the State Customs Committee, Azernews reports.

Business
Average monthly wage in Azerbaijan hits 1,089 Manat, up 9.3% year-on-year

Average monthly wage in Azerbaijan hits 1,089 Manat, up 9.3% year-on-year

As of December 1, 2025, the total number of employees in Azerbaijan’s economy reached 1.797 million, Azernews the State Statistical Committee. Of these, 869,000 worked in the public sector, while 928,400 were employed in the private sector, highlighting a near-even distribution between state and non-state employment.

Analysis

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
Azerbaijan, Armenia assess Sadarak-Yeraskh railway section as part of regional connectivity push

Azerbaijan, Armenia assess Sadarak-Yeraskh railway section as part of regional connectivity push

On January 15, representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia jointly reviewed the current state of the Sadarak-Yeraskh railway section, the Cabinet of Ministers announced, as part of cooperation aimed at restoring key transport infrastructure across the South Caucasus, Azernews reports.

Armenian Aggression
Humanitarian worker injured in landmine explosion in Ağdərə’s Qızıloba village

Humanitarian worker injured in landmine explosion in Ağdərə’s Qızıloba village

A landmine explosion occurred in the Qızıloba village area of Ağdərə district, recently liberated from occupation, resulting in injury to a humanitarian worker, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA).

World
Von der Leyen to skip EU no-confidence vote over Mercosur deal

Von der Leyen to skip EU no-confidence vote over Mercosur deal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will not attend the upcoming no-confidence vote against her and her cabinet, a European Parliament spokesperson, Delphine Colard, told Politico on Friday, Azernews reports.

Travel
Azerbaijani pilgrims currently at Medina international airport

Azerbaijani pilgrims currently at Medina international airport
Second group of Azerbaijani pilgrims to depart for Hajj this month

Second group of Azerbaijani pilgrims to depart for Hajj this month
Astana celebrates Novruz with festive events and cultural celebrations [PHOTOS]

Astana celebrates Novruz with festive events and cultural celebrations [PHOTOS]
Albania’s impeccable hospitality and exuberant architecture

Albania’s impeccable hospitality and exuberant architecture
Experience charm of autumn season at Shahdag National Park

Experience charm of autumn season at Shahdag National Park
Georgian foreign travelers arrive in Shusha

Georgian foreign travelers arrive in Shusha

Lifestyle
Arts Council Azerbaijan transforms melodies into visual art [PHOTOS]

Arts Council Azerbaijan transforms melodies into visual art [PHOTOS]

Music lingers in the air long after the last note fades, an invisible current that stirs memory, imagination, and emotion.

Culture
'Art Without Borders' project launched in country [PHOTOS]

'Art Without Borders' project launched in country [PHOTOS]

Bizi Birləşdirən Mədəniyyət (United by Culture) Public Association has announced the launch of its new initiative, "Art Without Borders", set to become a landmark event in Azerbaijan's cultural calendar, Azernews reports.

Events
Raza Pahlavi: I would side with Khamenei against Azerbaijanis - shocking revelation

Raza Pahlavi: I would side with Khamenei against Azerbaijanis - shocking revelation

The protests that began on December 28, 2025, and engulfed all of Iran exposed many internal cracks within the country. While the global media and the media of neighboring countries mostly highlighted fractures within the government, it was also noticeable that there were certain cracks among the protesters themselves.

Sports
Goranboy unveils official mascot for Youth Capital 2026 [PHOTOS]

Goranboy unveils official mascot for Youth Capital 2026 [PHOTOS]

For 2026, Goranboy district has been officially named Azerbaijan's Youth Capital, and its new logo and mascot have been unveiled, Azernews reports.

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