Azerbaijan seeks bigger global investment role ahead of Baku forum
Azerbaijan is stepping up efforts to strengthen its position as a regional hub for investment and connectivity ahead of the second Azerbaijan Inter...
Kazakhstan says it is continuing its investigation into the 2024 Azerbaijan Airlines crash near Aktau, with the official inquiry still ongoing.
In a statement, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport said the commission examining the disaster remains at work in line with Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization convention, which governs international air accident investigations.
The ministry added that, once completed, the final report will be published on its official website and will include the identified causes of the crash, the commission’s conclusions and safety recommendations.
The incident occurred on 25 December 2024, when an Embraer 190 operated by Azerbaijan Airlines was flying from Baku to Grozny.
The aircraft crashed near Aktau after attempting an emergency landing. Of the 67 people on board, 38 were killed and 29 survived, including three children.
Passengers included Azerbaijani, Russian, Kazakh and Kyrgyz nationals.
Last month, Azerbaijan and Russia announced a formal settlement covering compensation for victims’ families and the injured, stating that all outstanding bilateral issues linked to the tragedy had been resolved.
The agreement followed understandings reached between Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin during talks in Dushanbe in October 2025. However, Kazakhstan made clear that the diplomatic settlement does not replace the independent technical investigation.
Azerbaijan has previously said preliminary findings indicated the aircraft was damaged by external interference while flying over Russian territory near Grozny.
Officials have cited evidence consistent with the unintentional action of a Russian air defence system during an attempted interception of Ukrainian drones.
Kazakh authorities said laboratory analysis remains under way, including examinations by foreign specialists and manufacturer-linked technical experts. The final report is expected to be closely watched across the region, given the crash’s legal, aviation and geopolitical implications.
Asian stocks surged on Thursday as some vessels resumed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while forecast-beating results at Nvidia and a suspended workers' strike at Samsung Electronics lifted shares of chipmakers.
Day four of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku brings a packed agenda on sustainable cities and the global housing crisis, with sessions on green housing, smart cities, public spaces and urban rights taking place on Wednesday (20 May) at Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.
At least 21 people have been killed and thousands evacuated after torrential rain triggered flooding, landslides and transport disruption across southern and central China, with authorities warning that more heavy rainfall is expected along the Yangtze River.
The penultimate day of the World Urban Forum 13 in Baku will see Azerbaijan's Pavilion highlight post-construction efforts in Garabagh and East Zangezur, as well as host events on the future of Baku and architectural education.
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya warned on Tuesday (19 May) that Moscow could retaliate against Baltic states if Ukraine launches military drones from that region. Latvia, the United States and Ukraine responded strongly during a UN Security Council meeting.
Azerbaijan is stepping up efforts to strengthen its position as a regional hub for investment and connectivity ahead of the second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum in Baku this September.
Iran and Pakistan discussed developments in stalled Iran-U.S. negotiations during a visit to Tehran by Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsen Raza Naqvi, amid Islamabad’s ongoing mediation efforts.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (21 May), with both leaders discussing bilateral ties, regional developments and ongoing peace efforts in the South Caucasus.
Georgia’s parliament speaker has accused Britain of “blatant hypocrisy” after London quietly allowed Russian-origin oil products into the country - a move UK officials had reportedly urged Tbilisi to avoid.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in the Swedish city of Helsingborg on Thursday and Friday, diplomatic sources said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment