Jeffrey Sachs: South Caucasus can become key connector in a multipolar world
Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist, public policy analyst, Columbia University professor, and UN advisor, said Azerbaijan and the wider South Caucasus ...
China said it is ready to "continuously" boost strategic coordination with Moscow. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday that Beijing is prepared to help safeguard both countries’ security and development interests.
Meeting on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign-ministers’ gathering, Wang said the steady contact between Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin had given Sino-Russian ties long-term direction amid what he called “changes unseen in a century.”
He urged closer cooperation on East Asian platforms, backing an ASEAN-centred, open regional architecture and “the right direction” for the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum. Strengthening consensus, he added, would help turn East Asia into “a major engine for global development.”
Lavrov said the pair’s coordination showed the “global and strategic significance” of the relationship and warned against “certain major powers” seeking to provoke confrontation in the region.
Russia, he added, fully supports China’s upcoming rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and is preparing for further high-level exchanges and BRICS cooperation.
The ministers also discussed the Iranian nuclear file and Middle-East tensions. Wang reiterated that force “cannot bring peace,” praised Tehran’s pledge not to seek atomic arms and called for renewed diplomacy to preserve the non-proliferation regime.
Both sides voiced support for ASEAN’s central role in maintaining Asia-Pacific stability.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.
The second semi-final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026 takes place tonight in a rain-soaked Vienna, with the final 10 places in Saturday’s grand final still up for grabs.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war as well as the bodies of fallen soldiers, on Friday (15 May). The swap came as Ukranian officials said Moscow had carried out its largest aerial attack over 48 hours since the conflict started.
A high-powered lawyer representing Elon Musk attacked the personal and professional credibility of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Thursday, as a landmark federal trial in California nears its conclusion.
Uzbekistan has launched a nationwide environmental initiative titled ‘Day Without Cars’, which will take place twice a month as part of efforts to improve air quality and reduce vehicle emissions.
Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist, public policy analyst, Columbia University professor, and UN advisor, said Azerbaijan and the wider South Caucasus could become one of the world’s key strategic connectors in an emerging multipolar order.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringing together government representatives, city leaders, urban planners, international organisations, businesses and civil society to discuss the future of sustainable urban development.
Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, has travelled to Baku to attend the 13th World Urban Forum, where climate change and safer cities will be discussed.
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Animation Festival in Baku, where filmmakers and audiences from around the world gathered to celebrate the growing influence of animated cinema.
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