live U.S.-Iran standoff continues as Hormuz shipping and diplomacy remain uncertain
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to res...
The second meeting of the Heads of Mapping Institutions of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) was held in Baku on 2-3 December.
The event brought together representatives from institutions specialising in geodesy, cartography, land management, cadastre, remote sensing, and geographic information systems from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, as well as Hungary and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which hold observer status.
Before the meeting, participants watched a video showcasing Azerbaijan’s efforts in geodesy and cartography.
The event featured speeches from Rashad Ismayilov, First Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Merey Mukazhan, Deputy Secretary General of the OTS, and representatives from the OTS member states.
The meeting also included a comprehensive briefing on the ongoing restoration and construction projects in the liberated Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions following Azerbaijan’s historic victory. Additionally, participants were informed about preparations for the World Urban Forum (WUF13), set to take place in Baku in 2026, and discussed opportunities for regional cooperation.
The participants reviewed the progress of the objectives set during the first Heads of Mapping Institutions meeting in Ankara, held on 30 September to 1 October, 2024, and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and set new goals.
The group agreed to hold the 3rd meeting in Kazakhstan. The event concluded with the adoption of the Declaration of the second meeting of the Heads of Mapping Institutions of the OTS.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Syria says it assured Israel that Türkiye had no plans to establish a military presence at the Abu al-Duhur airbase before Israeli forces struck the site on Tuesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued his strongest warning yet over Türkiye's growing military role in Syria, saying Israel will not accept Turkish forces expanding their presence further south.
Azerbaijan’s support for Ukraine could provide a model for neighbouring countries seeking to strengthen their sovereignty, the director of development at an organisation supporting Ukraine’s armed forces has told AnewZ.
Two days inside Uzbekistan’s newsrooms, hospitals, factories and technology hubs reveal a country eager to show how it is changing — while that transformation is still under way.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a two-day visit, marking the first trip by Syria’s top diplomat to Pakistan in 19 years as Damascus seeks to deepen ties with the country.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment