Azerbaijan/u2019s original all-male committee announced earlier this week drew sharp criticism from the She Changes Climate campaign group which published a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis [committee] is a regressive step in the journey towards gender parity in climate; but there is still time for change,\u201d the group wrote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe ask for equal representation in the governance of this year\u2019s climate talks, because <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2021//11//09//the-five-devastating-reasons-climate-change-affects-women-more-than-men/">climate change<\/strong><\/a> affects the whole world, not half of it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Other groups also spoke out against the decision. \u201cThe world is on fire, our climate is in crisis, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//03//23//women-led-companies-are-more-likely-to-meet-climate-targets-says-new-research/">women are disproportionately affected. So what\u2019s the COP29 committee\u2019s revolutionary idea to save the planet? Excluding women from decision making\u2026 of course!,\u201d wrote the UK-based Women's Equality Party on X. <\/p>\n<p>She Changes Climate has welcomed the news that women have now been invited to the table, but say the changes do not go far enough.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"This is positive progress but we're still far from a 50:50 gender balance. This is a quick fix but not enough,\" says\u00a0co-founder Elise Buckle. <\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-freeform\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udd09| The president of Azerbaijan has added 12 women to the previously all-male <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////twitter.com//hashtag//COP29?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>#COP29<\/a> organising committee.<br><br>\u201cThis is positive progress but we're still far from a 50:50 gender balance. This is a quick fix but not enough.\u201d<br><br>\u2014 Elise Buckle, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////twitter.com//hashtag//SHEChangesClimate?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>#SHEChangesClimate<\/a><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////t.co//j6pk4U2fkp/">https:////t.co//j6pk4U2fkp— SHE Changes Climate (@SheClimate) <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////twitter.com//SheClimate//status//1748393080464547976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\%22>January 19, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////platform.twitter.com//widgets.js/" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Women have a history of being underrepresented at climate talks<\/h2><p>Last year, the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//10//28//what-is-cop28-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-un-climate-summit-in-dubai/">COP28 host nation the United Arab Emirates appointed an organising committee of 63 per cent women.<\/p>\n<p>But women have a history of being underrepresented at the major climate talks and only five have been selected as presidents in 29 years of the event.<\/p>\n<p>This year, former state oil executive <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//01//08//who-is-mukhtar-babayev-azerbaijan-appoints-former-oil-exec-as-president-of-cop29-climate-t/">Mukhtar Babayev<\/strong><\/a> will lead talks as the COP29 president-designate. He is now Azerbaijan\u2019s minister of ecology and natural resources.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7198660,6213270\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2022//11//17//women-are-leading-talks-on-cop27s-toughest-topic-climate-reparations/">Women are leading talks on COP27's toughest topic: Climate reparations<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2021//11//09//the-five-devastating-reasons-climate-change-affects-women-more-than-men/">The five devastating reasons climate change affects women more than men<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe once again ask for a firewall between the fossil fuel industry and the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//12//13//cop28-strikes-historic-deal-to-transition-away-from-fossil-fuels-what-are-the-key-takeaway/">COP presidency as environmental integrity remains a concern for us and many civil society organisations,\u201d She Changes Climate added in its statement.<\/p>\n<p>The COP29 committee is responsible for preparing and implementing an Action Plan governing the organisation and conduct of the summit. <\/p>\n<p>This is the second year in a row that the UN\u2019s key climate <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//01//15//climate-change-is-in-the-spotlight-as-leaders-meet-in-davos-what-can-we-expect/">summit will be hosted by a petro-state. Azerbaijan is highly dependent on fossil fuels and is the oldest oil-producing region in the world.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1705421759,"updatedAt":1705688515,"publishedAt":1705687246,"firstPublishedAt":1705422304,"lastPublishedAt":1705688515,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Lloyd Alozie","altText":"Azerbaijan is highly dependent on fossil fuels and is the oldest oil-producing region in the world.","callToActionText":null,"width":5121,"caption":"Azerbaijan is highly dependent on fossil fuels and is the oldest oil-producing region in the world.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/17\/56\/24\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_54972f54-9695-5927-903d-58cc61dc1afe-8175624.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":3658}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"hughes","twitter":null,"title":"Rebecca Ann Hughes"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"},{"urlSafeValue":"cop29","titleRaw":"COP29","id":29358,"title":"COP29","slug":"cop29"},{"urlSafeValue":"climate-conference","titleRaw":"climate conference","id":18164,"title":"climate conference","slug":"climate-conference"},{"urlSafeValue":"climate-crisis","titleRaw":"Climate crisis","id":20218,"title":"Climate crisis","slug":"climate-crisis"},{"urlSafeValue":"women-men-equality","titleRaw":"women men equality","id":28488,"title":"women men equality","slug":"women-men-equality"},{"urlSafeValue":"united-nations-climate-change-conference","titleRaw":"UN Climate Change Conference","id":24840,"title":"UN Climate Change Conference","slug":"united-nations-climate-change-conference"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"html"},{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news\/green-news"},"vertical":"green","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"green","id":8,"title":"Green","slug":"green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"green-news","id":"green-news","title":"Green News","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":35,"urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','progressivemedia','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','gs_science','gs_science_environ','neg_audi_list1','gs_busfin','gs_politics','gs_politics_issues_policy','gs_politics_misc','gs_science_environment','neg_facebook_q4','gt_negative','gs_busfin_indus','environment','climatechange','neg_mobkoi_castrol'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"GREEN_NO WOMEN AZERBAIJAN COP29 COMMITTEE","path":"\/green\/2024\/01\/19\/excluding-women-from-decision-making-campaigners-condemn-azerbaijans-all-male-cop29-commit","lastModified":1705688515},{"id":2451556,"cid":8157556,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"240108_GNSU_54459193","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Who is Mukhtar Babayev? Azerbaijan appoints former oil exec as president of COP29 climate talks","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"COP29 host Azerbaijan appoints former oil exec as president","titleListing2":"Who is Mukhtar Babayev? Azerbaijan appoints former oil exec as president of COP29 climate talks","leadin":"Concerns are multiplying over COP29 host and petrostate Azerbaijan.","summary":"Concerns are multiplying over COP29 host and petrostate Azerbaijan.","keySentence":"","url":"who-is-mukhtar-babayev-azerbaijan-appoints-former-oil-exec-as-president-of-cop29-climate-t","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/2024\/01\/08\/who-is-mukhtar-babayev-azerbaijan-appoints-former-oil-exec-as-president-of-cop29-climate-t","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Azerbaijan's ecology minister has been named to lead the United Nations' annual climate talks later this year. \n\nSome climate activists have raised concerns over his former ties to the state oil company in a major oil-producing nation. \n\nMukhtar Babayev's appointment was announced by the United Arab Emirates, which hosted COP28 in December, and confirmed on Friday by the United Nations.\u00a0 \n\nOfficials in Azerbaijan did not immediately respond to messages seeking to confirm the COP29 appointment. \n\nOil and gas bring 90% of Azerbaijan's export revenues \n\nBabayev, 56, has been his country's minister for ecology and natural resources since 2018. Before that, he worked at Azerbaijan 's state oil company for more than two decades. \n\nOil and natural gas bring in around 90 per cent of Azerbaijan\u2019s export revenues and finance around 60 per cent of the government budget, according to the International Energy Agency.\u00a0 \n\nClimate activists say the country needs to look past its own fossil fuel interests if it's going to host successful talks. \n\nMohamad Adow of climate think tank Power Shift Africa says it\u2019s \"concerning to be once again having the world\u2019s climate negotiations coordinated by a petrostate that has a big interest in oil and gas production,\" following COP28 in Dubai last year.\u00a0 \n\nHarjeet Singh, global engagement director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, adds that \"with another petrostate hosting the climate conference, our concerns multiply.\" \n\nBabayev \"must transcend the vested interests of the powerful fossil fuel industry that is primarily responsible for the climate crisis,\" says Singh. \n\nCritics draw parallels with COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber \n\n\nSimilar concerns dogged Sultan al-Jaber , the head of the UAE's national oil company, as he presided over the talks in Dubai.\u00a0 \n\nThe COP president is responsible for running talks and getting nearly 200 countries to agree on a deal to help limit global warming, and skeptics questioned whether al-Jaber would be willing to confront the fossil fuels causing climate change . \n\nThe conference ultimately resulted in a final agreement that for the first time mentioned fossil fuels as the cause of climate change and acknowledged the need to transition away from them, but it had no concrete requirements to do so. \n\nAdow is hopeful that climate negotiators could be successful in Azerbaijan\u2019s capital Baku as \u201cthe COP in Dubai resulted in an outcome more positive than many expected.\" \n\n\"[Babayev has] got a huge job to do,\" says Adow. \"He needs to start working on getting rich countries to deliver serious, long-term finance that will tackle the climate crisis.\" \n\n'Stakes will be high' in Azerbaijan \n\nWithout commenting directly on Babayev,\u00a0Melanie Robinson, global director for the climate program at World Resources Institute, says \u201cstakes will be high\u201d in Azerbaijan. Nations will tackle issues including how to finance climate change adaptation and mitigation around the world, particularly in poorer countries. \n\n\u201cAs with all presidencies, the world will be looking to Azerbaijan to fairly facilitate the most ambitious outcome possible,\u201d she says. \n\nThe United Nations moves the talks around the world with different regions taking turns. They're typically announced two years in advance, but the decision to hold 2024 talks in Azerbaijan came just 11 months before the negotiations are supposed to start. \n\nThat was due to a longtime standoff between Eastern European nations, the region designated to host in 2024. A prisoner swap between Azerbaijan and Armenia in early December led to Armenia supporting Azerbaijan's COP29 bid. \n\nAzerbaijan plans to increase fossil fuel production by a third \n\nAn analysis shared exclusively today with UK newspaper the Guardian reveals Azerbaijan plans to increase its fossil fuel production by over a third in the next decade - a major blow to those feeling hopeful about COP29. \n\nTo limit global warming, the world needs to cut fossil fuel production rapidly in the coming years. But the country's annual gas production is projected to rise from an estimated 37 billion cubic meters this year to 49 bcm by 2023. \n\nThe data, sourced by the campaign group Global Witness from analysts at Rystad Energy, is based on\u00a0an analysis of Azerbaijan\u2019s current gas production , its reserves approved for development, and reserves that have\u00a0 have been assessed by oil and gas companies but are yet to receive clearance. \n\nFurther gas reserves could be confirmed by drilling in the next 10 years, meaning the forecast could be conservative. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Azerbaijan's ecology minister has been named to lead the United Nations' annual climate talks later this year.<\/p>\n<p>Some climate activists have raised concerns over his former ties to the state oil company in a major oil-producing nation.<\/p>\n<p>Mukhtar Babayev's appointment was announced by the United Arab Emirates, which hosted COP28 in December, and confirmed on Friday by the United Nations.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Officials in Azerbaijan did not immediately respond to messages seeking to confirm the COP29 appointment.<\/p>\n<h2>Oil and gas bring 90% of Azerbaijan's export revenues<\/h2><p>Babayev, 56, has been his country's minister for ecology and natural resources since 2018. Before that, he worked at <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//12//26//azerbaijans-green-transmission-plans-in-the-spotlight-at-cop/">Azerbaijan's state oil company for more than two decades.<\/p>\n<p>Oil and natural gas bring in around 90 per cent of Azerbaijan\u2019s export revenues and finance around 60 per cent of the government budget, according to the International Energy Agency.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Climate activists say the country needs to look past its own <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//08//31//a-sign-of-the-times-eu-reliance-on-fossil-fuels-falls-to-record-low-report-reveals/">fossil fuel<\/strong><\/a> interests if it's going to host successful talks.<\/p>\n<p>Mohamad Adow of climate think tank Power Shift Africa says it\u2019s \"concerning to be once again having the world\u2019s climate negotiations coordinated by a petrostate that has a big interest in oil and gas production,\" following <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//01//05//will-we-keep-thinking-of-africa-even-after-cop28/">COP28 in Dubai last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Harjeet Singh, global engagement director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, adds that \"with another petrostate hosting the climate conference, our concerns multiply.\"<\/p>\n<p>Babayev \"must transcend the vested interests of the powerful fossil fuel industry that is primarily responsible for the climate crisis,\" says Singh.<\/p>\n<p>Critics draw parallels with COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber <\/p>\n<p>Similar concerns dogged <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//12//02//low-carbon-product-promoted-by-cop28-president-is-3-times-more-harmful-to-climate-than-reg/">Sultan al-Jaber<\/strong><\/a>, the head of the UAE's national oil company, as he presided over the talks in Dubai.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The COP president is responsible for running talks and getting nearly 200 countries to agree on a deal to help limit global warming, and skeptics questioned whether al-Jaber would be willing to confront the fossil fuels causing <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//12//07//is-something-special-happening-at-cop28-campaigners-and-delegates-are-divided/">climate change<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The conference ultimately resulted in a final agreement that for the first time mentioned <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//12//18//cop28-a-historic-outcome-but-for-whom/">fossil fuels<\/strong><\/a> as the cause of climate change and acknowledged the need to transition away from them, but it had no concrete requirements to do so.<\/p>\n<p>Adow is hopeful that climate negotiators could be successful in Azerbaijan\u2019s capital Baku as \u201cthe COP in Dubai resulted in an outcome more <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//12//13//cop28-strikes-historic-deal-to-transition-away-from-fossil-fuels-what-are-the-key-takeaway/">positive than many expected.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"[Babayev has] got a huge job to do,\" says Adow. \"He needs to start working on getting rich countries to deliver serious, long-term <strong><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//11//13//eu-promises-substantial-financial-contribution-to-climate-damage-fund-at-cop28/">finance that will tackle the climate crisis.\"<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"8153404,8150960\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//01//06//el-nino-failed-crops-and-more-extreme-weather-the-uns-predictions-and-recommendations-for-/">El Ni\u00f1o, failed crops and more extreme weather: The UN's predictions- and recommendations- for 2024<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2024//01//04//climate-stripes-dark-red-line-added-after-2023-smashed-temperature-records/">Climate stripes: Dark red line added after 2023 smashed temperature records<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>'Stakes will be high' in Azerbaijan<\/h2><p>Without commenting directly on Babayev,\u00a0Melanie Robinson, global director for the climate program at World Resources Institute, says \u201cstakes will be high\u201d in Azerbaijan. Nations will tackle issues including how to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//09//04//worlds-money-is-flowing-in-the-wrong-direction-funding-of-fossil-fuels-eclipses-climate-fi/">finance climate change adaptation and mitigation around the world, particularly in poorer countries.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs with all presidencies, the world will be looking to Azerbaijan to fairly facilitate the most ambitious outcome possible,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>The United Nations moves the talks around the world with different regions taking turns. They're typically announced two years in advance, but the decision to hold 2024 talks in Azerbaijan came just 11 months before the negotiations are supposed to start.<\/p>\n<p>That was due to a longtime standoff between Eastern European nations, the region designated to host in 2024. A prisoner swap between Azerbaijan and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//12//08//cop28-fossil-fuel-negotiations-resume-as-children-take-centre-stage-on-day-8-of-the-climat/">Armenia in early December led to Armenia supporting Azerbaijan's COP29 bid.<\/p>\n<h2>Azerbaijan plans to increase fossil fuel production by a third<\/h2><p>An analysis shared exclusively today with UK newspaper the Guardian reveals Azerbaijan plans to increase its <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//06//26//wrong-direction-fossil-fuels-still-dominate-despite-growth-in-renewables-report-reveals/">fossil fuel<\/strong><\/a> production by over a third in the next decade - a major blow to those feeling hopeful about COP29.<\/p>\n<p>To limit global warming, the world needs to cut fossil fuel production rapidly in the coming years. But the country's annual gas production is projected to rise from an estimated 37 billion cubic meters this year to 49 bcm by 2023.<\/p>\n<p>The data, sourced by the campaign group Global Witness from analysts at Rystad Energy, is based on\u00a0an analysis of Azerbaijan\u2019s current <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//green//2023//10//24//10-times-as-many-evs-and-50-renewables-heres-how-world-energy-could-look-by-2030/">gas production<\/strong><\/a>, its reserves approved for development, and reserves that have\u00a0have been assessed by oil and gas companies but are yet to receive clearance.<\/p>\n<p>Further gas reserves could be confirmed by drilling in the next 10 years, meaning the forecast could be conservative.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1704711085,"updatedAt":1704729686,"publishedAt":1704729643,"firstPublishedAt":1704714358,"lastPublishedAt":1704729686,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Rafiq Maqbool, File","altText":"Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan ecology and natural resources minister at the COP28 UN Climate Summit in Dubai, 11 December 2023.","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan ecology and natural resources minister at the COP28 UN Climate Summit in Dubai, 11 December 2023.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/15\/75\/56\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_332edd5f-7946-51e8-9cd3-0b135d69e75e-8157556.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"urlSafeValue":"symons","twitter":null,"title":"Angela Symons"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"cop29","titleRaw":"COP29","id":29358,"title":"COP29","slug":"cop29"},{"urlSafeValue":"cop28","titleRaw":"COP28","id":28576,"title":"COP28","slug":"cop28"},{"urlSafeValue":"fossil-fuels","titleRaw":"Fossil fuels","id":9385,"title":"Fossil fuels","slug":"fossil-fuels"},{"urlSafeValue":"natural-gas","titleRaw":"Natural gas","id":12727,"title":"Natural gas","slug":"natural-gas"},{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"},{"urlSafeValue":"paris-agreement-on-climate","titleRaw":"Paris agreement on climate","id":13462,"title":"Paris agreement on climate","slug":"paris-agreement-on-climate"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2452472}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Sibu Arasu","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"green-news","urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news\/green-news"},"vertical":"green","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"green","id":8,"title":"Green","slug":"green"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":8,"slug":"green","urlSafeValue":"green","title":"Green"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"green-news","id":"green-news","title":"Green News","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/green\/green-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":35,"urlSafeValue":"green-news","title":"Green News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":{"id":4329,"urlSafeValue":"baku","title":"Baku"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_science','gs_busfin','gs_business','gs_busfin_indus','gs_busfin_indus_energy','gs_business_energy','progressivemedia','gs_science_geography','gs_science_environ','neg_saudiaramco','climatechange','neg_audi_list1','neg_bucherer','neg_mobkoi_castrol','gt_negative'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"GREEN_COP29: Azerbaijan names a former oil exec to lead climate talks","path":"\/green\/2024\/01\/08\/who-is-mukhtar-babayev-azerbaijan-appoints-former-oil-exec-as-president-of-cop29-climate-t","lastModified":1704729686},{"id":2428748,"cid":8087224,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231221_CUSU_54106484","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Creative Industries Week: Films shot on mobiles and hackathons take centre stage in Baku","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Films shot on mobiles and hackathons take centre stage in Baku","titleListing2":"The best of the creative world on stage in Baku, for the Creative Industries Week.","leadin":"Imagination, innovation, technology, and entertainment were the key ingredients at the Creative Industries Week in Baku. The capital of Azerbaijan welcomed new players from the creative sector.","summary":"Imagination, innovation, technology, and entertainment were the key ingredients at the Creative Industries Week in Baku. The capital of Azerbaijan welcomed new players from the creative sector.","keySentence":"","url":"creative-industries-week-films-shot-on-mobiles-and-hackathons-take-centre-stage-in-baku","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2023\/12\/21\/creative-industries-week-films-shot-on-mobiles-and-hackathons-take-centre-stage-in-baku","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Creative Industries Week, a forum to support young creatives in expanding their horizons and engaging their imagination, took place in Azerbaijan\u2019s capital, Baku, from November 27 to December 3. \n\nThe GameTech 48-hour hackathon was one of the eagerly anticipated initiatives that was part of the event. Attended by the young coding community, the format centred around rapid and collaborative engineering to test the knowledge and skills of digital experts. As many as 13 teams competed against each other to create mobile and computer games, pitching their ideas to a panel of judges at the end of the exercise. \n\nFilm also played a role in the creative week in the form of the first Cinemo Mobile Film Festival, which shone a light on cinematic pieces shot with mobile phones. This first edition of the competition had three categories: narratives, documentaries and films about social issues. The aim of the festival was to identify upcoming names in the industry and promote social values through cinema that was shot on mobiles. The event\u2019s opening ceremony, held at the Nizami Cinema Center, drew a young audience. \u201cDetour\u201d by French director Michel Gondry was the first film to be screened. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Creative Industries Week, a forum to support young creatives in expanding their horizons and engaging their imagination, took place in Azerbaijan\u2019s capital, Baku, from November 27 to December 3.<\/p>\n<p>The GameTech 48-hour hackathon was one of the eagerly anticipated initiatives that was part of the event. Attended by the young coding community, the format centred around rapid and collaborative engineering to test the knowledge and skills of digital experts. As many as 13 teams competed against each other to create mobile and computer games, pitching their ideas to a panel of judges at the end of the exercise.<\/p>\n<p>Film also played a role in the creative week in the form of the first Cinemo Mobile Film Festival, which shone a light on cinematic pieces shot with mobile phones. This first edition of the competition had three categories: narratives, documentaries and films about social issues. The aim of the festival was to identify upcoming names in the industry and promote social values through cinema that was shot on mobiles. The event\u2019s opening ceremony, held at the Nizami Cinema Center, drew a young audience. \u201cDetour\u201d by French director Michel Gondry was the first film to be screened.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1701772054,"updatedAt":1709135219,"publishedAt":1703156412,"firstPublishedAt":1703008754,"lastPublishedAt":1709135219,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/08\/72\/26\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_65223ebf-43a4-538f-b60d-2cfccbdb37bb-8087226.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture","titleRaw":"Culture","id":574,"title":"Culture","slug":"culture"},{"urlSafeValue":"technology","titleRaw":"Technology","id":389,"title":"Technology","slug":"technology"},{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"}],"widgets":[],"related":[],"technicalTags":[{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijancult2022"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"ireT8tSdgXU","dailymotionId":"x8qro9p"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":180000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":22602933,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/CU\/SU\/23\/12\/21\/en\/231221_CUSU_54106484_54106485_180000_114835_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":180000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":35161781,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/CU\/SU\/23\/12\/21\/en\/231221_CUSU_54106484_54106485_180000_114835_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"cult","urlSafeValue":"cult","title":"Cult","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-series\/cult"},"vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture","id":10,"title":"Culture","slug":"culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture-series","id":"culture-series","title":"Culture Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":55,"urlSafeValue":"culture-series","title":"Culture series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1690896514,"endDate":2114346519,"type":"sponsored","slug":"azerbaijan-ministry-of-tourism-2023","title":"Azerbaijan - Ministry of Tourism 2023","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan","sponsorName":"azerbaijan-ministry-of-tourism-2023","sponsorUrl":"http:\/\/mct.gov.az\/en\/","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/680\/180x84_cmsv2_69372e79-602a-5604-abb7-8bed8f7bdf25-680.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"CU-19-Forum Culture Creative Industrie - MASTER","path":"\/culture\/2023\/12\/21\/creative-industries-week-films-shot-on-mobiles-and-hackathons-take-centre-stage-in-baku","lastModified":1709135219},{"id":2436434,"cid":8113208,"versionId":10,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231215_TCSU_54245863","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Exploring the snow-capped mountains of Azerbaijan","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Exploring the snow-capped mountains of Azerbaijan","leadin":"At the eastern end of the Caucasus mountains, close to the Caspian Sea, is one of Eurasia\u2019s best-kept secrets: the snow-cloaked slopes and breathtaking vistas of Azerbaijan\u2019s ski resorts.","summary":"At the eastern end of the Caucasus mountains, close to the Caspian Sea, is one of Eurasia\u2019s best-kept secrets: the snow-cloaked slopes and breathtaking vistas of Azerbaijan\u2019s ski resorts.","keySentence":"","url":"exploring-the-snow-capped-mountains-of-azerbaijan","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2023\/12\/15\/exploring-the-snow-capped-mountains-of-azerbaijan","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"At the eastern end of the Caucasus mountains, close to the Caspian Sea, is one of Eurasia\u2019s best-kept secrets: the snow-cloaked slopes and breathtaking vistas of Azerbaijan\u2019s ski resorts. \n\nFor a winter getaway with a difference, the state-of-the-art facilities and rich cultural experiences of the region are unbeatable. The ski season normally runs from December to March, but there is plenty to see and do outside that period. There is something for every interest and every season; not only skiing, but snowshoeing, horse-riding, tobogganing, paragliding and hiking, and \u2013 at the end of the day \u2013 a taste of regional cuisine. \n\nAzerbaijan\u2019s investment in tourist-focused infrastructure has made the country more accessible than ever. Though new facilities are opening up all the time, the main ski resorts are Shahdag, Tufandag and Agbulag; all three offering a range of activities and pristine snowy landscapes. \n\nThe largest ski resort in the Caucasus is the Shahdag Mountain Resort , which caters for every level, from complete beginners to the most intrepid of skiers, who have the run of more than 30 kilometres of pistes. \n\nAround three hours\u2019 drive from Baku, at an elevation of about 2,500 metres, Shahdag offers a range of activities for both summer and winter, and has a clutch of supremely comfortable hotels. \n\nAmong these are Park Chalet, with an indoor pool, gym and sauna, or the comfortable rooms of the luxurious Pik Palace hotel, which has an outdoor heated pool and spa. Both have spacious and elegant rooms, with jaw-dropping mountain views. \n\nShahdag\u2019s ski schools have slopes and instructors for every level of ability, but there is also plenty on offer for the non-skier. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing and trottinette rides are available in the winter months, while paragliding, horse-riding, archery and cable-car rides are available year-round. A favourite attraction is the Alpine Coaster, an adrenaline-filled ride that combines a rollercoaster with toboggans, reaching speeds of up to 42 kilometres per hour. \n\nThe nearby village of Laza is also worth a visit, not least for its spectacular waterfalls, used for ice-climbing in winter when they are frozen. \n\nTufandag , on the other side of the vast Mount Shahdag, also provides a perfect blend of adventure, nature and culture. Its immaculate slopes add up to 15 kilometres for snowboarders and skiers, while its onsite school has ample nursery slopes for even complete beginners. \n\nA short drive from Gabala International Airport, Tufandag Mountain Resort is also convenient for Gabala itself, where holidaymakers can visit the ancient fortress walls of what was once a major trade hub along the Silk Road. A nearby museum explains the history of the region and its archaeological finds. \n\nAround an hour\u2019s drive south of Gabala lies the vast Shahdag National Park, a paradise of ecotourism where hikers can expect to see a vast range of flora and fauna, which might include lynx, roe deer, wild boar, jackals and even brown bears or a golden eagle. \n\nOver to the west, and separate from the rest of Azerbaijan is Nakhchivan. Here, tourists will find the village of Agbulag , the location of Azerbaijan\u2019s newest ski resort. \n\nPerched 2,000 metres above sea level in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, Agbulag Ski Center enjoys perfect conditions for all types of snow-related activities, with facilities of the highest standard. \n\nIts ski school has instructors experienced with both beginners and advanced skiers, and families are catered for with playgrounds and entertainment parks. \n\nWith a 38-room hotel and three rental cottages, Agbulag has everything a visitor might need, but for a day out, the city of Nakhchivan is an hour\u2019s drive away. Nakhchivan is home to many stately monuments, such as the oriental Khans\u2019 Palace, built in the 18th century and now a museum. \n\nEqually unmissable is Noah\u2019s Mausoleum, which has existed in various incarnations since the fourth millennium BC. The cleft peak of nearby Mount Ilandag is said to have formed as Noah\u2019s ark floated across it, and Noah himself is thought to have lived and died here. \n\nWith geometrically designed patterns of red bricks and turquoise tiles, it follows a similar architectural design (the so-called \u2018Nakhchivan school\u2019) akin to the nearby 12th-century Momine Khatin Mausoleum, one of Azerbaijan\u2019s most fascinating monuments. \n\nThese resorts offer more than just skiing. Each provides a range of attractions to enrich any holiday. The one thing they have in common, however, is the opportunity to experience local hospitality. \n\nAzerbaijanis consider it a duty to treat their guests with infinite care. Following a day spent on the slopes, a cup of hot aromatic tea with delicious sweets will bring immense pleasure. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>At the eastern end of the Caucasus mountains, close to the Caspian Sea, is one of Eurasia\u2019s best-kept secrets: the snow-cloaked slopes and breathtaking vistas of Azerbaijan\u2019s ski resorts.<\/p>\n<p>For a winter getaway with a difference, the state-of-the-art facilities and rich cultural experiences of the region are unbeatable. The ski season normally runs from December to March, but there is plenty to see and do outside that period. There is something for every interest and every season; not only skiing, but snowshoeing, horse-riding, tobogganing, paragliding and hiking, and \u2013 at the end of the day \u2013 a taste of regional cuisine.<\/p>\n<p>Azerbaijan\u2019s investment in tourist-focused infrastructure has made the country more accessible than ever. Though new facilities are opening up all the time, the main ski resorts are Shahdag, Tufandag and Agbulag; all three offering a range of activities and pristine snowy landscapes.<\/p>\n<p>The largest ski resort in the Caucasus is the <strong>Shahdag Mountain Resort<\/strong>, which caters for every level, from complete beginners to the most intrepid of skiers, who have the run of more than 30 kilometres of pistes.<\/p>\n<p>Around three hours\u2019 drive from Baku, at an elevation of about 2,500 metres, Shahdag offers a range of activities for both summer and winter, and has a clutch of supremely comfortable hotels.<\/p>\n<p>Among these are Park Chalet, with an indoor pool, gym and sauna, or the comfortable rooms of the luxurious Pik Palace hotel, which has an outdoor heated pool and spa. Both have spacious and elegant rooms, with jaw-dropping mountain views.<\/p>\n<p>Shahdag\u2019s ski schools have slopes and instructors for every level of ability, but there is also plenty on offer for the non-skier. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing and trottinette rides are available in the winter months, while paragliding, horse-riding, archery and cable-car rides are available year-round. A favourite attraction is the Alpine Coaster, an adrenaline-filled ride that combines a rollercoaster with toboggans, reaching speeds of up to 42 kilometres per hour.<\/p>\n<p>The nearby village of Laza is also worth a visit, not least for its spectacular waterfalls, used for ice-climbing in winter when they are frozen.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.66675\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//11//32//08//808x539_cmsv2_38909b78-d441-572f-86e1-db3aecc559c1-8113208.jpg/" alt=\"Tufandag ski resort\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/32\/08\/384x256_cmsv2_38909b78-d441-572f-86e1-db3aecc559c1-8113208.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/32\/08\/640x427_cmsv2_38909b78-d441-572f-86e1-db3aecc559c1-8113208.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/32\/08\/750x500_cmsv2_38909b78-d441-572f-86e1-db3aecc559c1-8113208.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/32\/08\/828x552_cmsv2_38909b78-d441-572f-86e1-db3aecc559c1-8113208.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/32\/08\/1080x720_cmsv2_38909b78-d441-572f-86e1-db3aecc559c1-8113208.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/32\/08\/1200x800_cmsv2_38909b78-d441-572f-86e1-db3aecc559c1-8113208.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/32\/08\/1920x1280_cmsv2_38909b78-d441-572f-86e1-db3aecc559c1-8113208.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Tufandag ski resort<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">\u00a9 Azerbaijan Tourism Board<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Tufandag<\/strong>, on the other side of the vast Mount Shahdag, also provides a perfect blend of adventure, nature and culture. Its immaculate slopes add up to 15 kilometres for snowboarders and skiers, while its onsite school has ample nursery slopes for even complete beginners.<\/p>\n<p>A short drive from Gabala International Airport, Tufandag Mountain Resort is also convenient for Gabala itself, where holidaymakers can visit the ancient fortress walls of what was once a major trade hub along the Silk Road. A nearby museum explains the history of the region and its archaeological finds.<\/p>\n<p>Around an hour\u2019s drive south of Gabala lies the vast Shahdag National Park, a paradise of ecotourism where hikers can expect to see a vast range of flora and fauna, which might include lynx, roe deer, wild boar, jackals and even brown bears or a golden eagle.<\/p>\n<p>Over to the west, and separate from the rest of Azerbaijan is Nakhchivan. Here, tourists will find the village of <strong>Agbulag<\/strong>, the location of Azerbaijan\u2019s newest ski resort.<\/p>\n<p>Perched 2,000 metres above sea level in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, Agbulag Ski Center enjoys perfect conditions for all types of snow-related activities, with facilities of the highest standard.<\/p>\n<p>Its ski school has instructors experienced with both beginners and advanced skiers, and families are catered for with playgrounds and entertainment parks.<\/p>\n<p>With a 38-room hotel and three rental cottages, Agbulag has everything a visitor might need, but for a day out, the city of Nakhchivan is an hour\u2019s drive away. Nakhchivan is home to many stately monuments, such as the oriental Khans\u2019 Palace, built in the 18th century and now a museum.<\/p>\n<p>Equally unmissable is Noah\u2019s Mausoleum, which has existed in various incarnations since the fourth millennium BC. The cleft peak of nearby Mount Ilandag is said to have formed as Noah\u2019s ark floated across it, and Noah himself is thought to have lived and died here.<\/p>\n<p>With geometrically designed patterns of red bricks and turquoise tiles, it follows a similar architectural design (the so-called \u2018Nakhchivan school\u2019) akin to the nearby 12th-century Momine Khatin Mausoleum, one of Azerbaijan\u2019s most fascinating monuments.<\/p>\n<p>These resorts offer more than just skiing. Each provides a range of attractions to enrich any holiday. The one thing they have in common, however, is the opportunity to experience local hospitality.<\/p>\n<p>Azerbaijanis consider it a duty to treat their guests with infinite care. Following a day spent on the slopes, a cup of hot aromatic tea with delicious sweets will bring immense pleasure.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1702647667,"updatedAt":1709135487,"publishedAt":1702641039,"firstPublishedAt":1702648134,"lastPublishedAt":1709135487,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Azerbaijan Tourism Board","altText":"Shahdag Mountain","callToActionText":null,"width":3840,"caption":"Shahdag Mountain","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/32\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a040e6a9-0ecc-5140-bc43-ce239bc85c64-8113208.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2560},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"\u00a9 Azerbaijan Tourism Board","altText":"Tufandag ski resort","callToActionText":null,"width":4000,"caption":"Tufandag ski resort","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/32\/08\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_38909b78-d441-572f-86e1-db3aecc559c1-8113208.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2667}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"skiing","titleRaw":"Skiing","id":9135,"title":"Skiing","slug":"skiing"},{"urlSafeValue":"tourism","titleRaw":"Tourism","id":4221,"title":"Tourism","slug":"tourism"},{"urlSafeValue":"travel","titleRaw":"Travel","id":12639,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"},{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"image"}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2022"},{"path":"sponsor"},{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2023"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Azerbaijan Tourism Board","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"destinations","urlSafeValue":"destinations","title":"Destinations","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/destinations\/destinations"},"vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","id":7,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"destinations","id":"destinations","title":"Destinations","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/destinations"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":28,"urlSafeValue":"destinations","title":"Destinations"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1669904563,"endDate":2114346171,"type":"advertisement_feature","slug":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022-ad","title":"Azerbaijan Tourism 2022 Ad","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Azerbaijan Tourism Board","sponsorName":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022-ad","sponsorUrl":"https:\/\/azerbaijan.travel\/","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/756\/180x69_cmsv2_344fb638-962b-55ae-9bad-8ffc125e9de9-756.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"Azerbaijan Tourism Native Article 2","path":"\/travel\/2023\/12\/15\/exploring-the-snow-capped-mountains-of-azerbaijan","lastModified":1709135487},{"id":2401090,"cid":7993300,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231211_EOSU_53568153","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"On the Silk Road in Azerbaijan: Learn how the UNESCO-recognised Kelaghayi headscarf is made","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"On the Silk Road: Learn how the Kelaghayi headscarf is made","titleListing2":"On the Silk Road in Azerbaijan: A stop in Basgal to discover how the UNESCO-recognised Kelaghayi headdress is made and then in Sheki, to taste its famous syrupy halva.","leadin":"Kelaghayis are one of the most famous headdresses in the world. And they are still handmade by the few skilled masters who live in Basgal. Another stop on the Silk Road is the historic gem of Sheki, with its beautiful palaces, caravanserais and its tasty Sheki halva.","summary":"Kelaghayis are one of the most famous headdresses in the world. And they are still handmade by the few skilled masters who live in Basgal. Another stop on the Silk Road is the historic gem of Sheki, with its beautiful palaces, caravanserais and its tasty Sheki halva.","keySentence":"","url":"on-the-silk-road-in-azerbaijan-learn-how-the-unesco-recognised-kelaghayi-headscarf-is-made","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2023\/12\/11\/on-the-silk-road-in-azerbaijan-learn-how-the-unesco-recognised-kelaghayi-headscarf-is-made","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Basgal, a small village hidden in the Azerbaijani mountains, is one of the stops on the Great Silk Road and was a key location for the silk weaving industry. It is not surprising, then, that the destination is home to the art of making the Kelaghayi \u2013 a silk headscarf and one of the most ancient headdresses in the world.\u00a0 \n\nKelaghayis are a symbol of beauty, respect and loyalty, and embody Azerbaijan's culture and traditions. \n\nIn this episode of Explore Azerbaijan, Cinzia Rizzi meets one of a select few Kelaghayi masters who shows her the steps that go into making the piece of art.\u00a0 \n\nShe then heads to Sheki, another stop on the Silk Road. Once the capital of the powerful Sheki Khanate (the territory ruled by a khan), this historical gem still reflects the wealth generated by the silk industry in the past. \n\nOne of the must-visit places in Sheki is the summer residence of the Sheki Khans \u2013 a UNESCO World Heritage Site with miniature paintings and Shebeke stained glass. And you can\u2019t leave this small town without tasting the local sweet treat: the Sheki halva. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Basgal, a small village hidden in the Azerbaijani mountains, is one of the stops on the Great Silk Road and was a key location for the silk weaving industry. It is not surprising, then, that the destination is home to the art of making the Kelaghayi \u2013 a silk headscarf and one of the most ancient headdresses in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Kelaghayis are a symbol of beauty, respect and loyalty, and embody Azerbaijan's culture and traditions.<\/p>\n<p>In this episode of Explore Azerbaijan, Cinzia Rizzi meets one of a select few Kelaghayi masters who shows her the steps that go into making the piece of art.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She then heads to Sheki, another stop on the Silk Road. Once the capital of the powerful Sheki Khanate (the territory ruled by a khan), this historical gem still reflects the wealth generated by the silk industry in the past.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7987990\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//12//04//top-things-to-do-in-shamakhi-azerbaijans-hiking-and-hot-air-balloon-hotspot/">Top things to do in Shamakhi: Azerbaijan's hiking and hot air balloon hotspot<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>One of the must-visit places in Sheki is the summer residence of the Sheki Khans \u2013 a UNESCO World Heritage Site with miniature paintings and Shebeke stained glass. And you can\u2019t leave this small town without tasting the local sweet treat: the Sheki halva.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1698246940,"updatedAt":1709134761,"publishedAt":1702306813,"firstPublishedAt":1700236819,"lastPublishedAt":1709134761,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/99\/33\/02\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_fe964191-aa90-5537-86d4-5aba587ca37d-7993302.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"urlSafeValue":"rizzi","twitter":"@cinziarizzi7","title":"Cinzia Rizzi"}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","titleRaw":"Travel","id":12639,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"},{"urlSafeValue":"tradition","titleRaw":"Tradition","id":8735,"title":"Tradition","slug":"tradition"},{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2399534},{"id":2399264},{"id":2418616}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2022"},{"path":"sponsor"},{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2023"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"z7-PwaJ6EZA","dailymotionId":"x8qgbrs"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":38732099,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/EO\/SU\/23\/12\/11\/en\/231211_EOSU_53568153_53596372_300000_114126_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":59962691,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/EO\/SU\/23\/12\/11\/en\/231211_EOSU_53568153_53596372_300000_114126_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"explore","urlSafeValue":"explore","title":"explore","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-series\/explore"},"vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","id":7,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel-series","id":"travel-series","title":"Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":32,"urlSafeValue":"travel-series","title":"Series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1659347685,"endDate":2114333689,"type":"sponsored","slug":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022","title":"Azerbaijan tourism 2022","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Azerbaijan Tourism Board","sponsorName":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022","sponsorUrl":"https:\/\/azerbaijan.travel\/","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/522\/180x69_cmsv2_776cd692-95fb-5a75-90ac-6bb6f2df2805-522.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_travel_misc','gs_travel','gs_travel_locations','gs_popculture','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gs_travel_locations_asia','gs_travel_locations_europe','gt_positive','gt_positive_like'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"EO-05-Silk Road - MASTER","path":"\/travel\/2023\/12\/11\/on-the-silk-road-in-azerbaijan-learn-how-the-unesco-recognised-kelaghayi-headscarf-is-made","lastModified":1709134761},{"id":2435608,"cid":8110360,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231214_NCSU_54230807","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"2023 champions honored at FIA Prize Giving event in Baku","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"2023 champions honored at FIA Prize Giving event in Baku","titleListing2":"2023 champions honored at FIA Prize Giving event in Baku","leadin":"During the ceremony, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen received his FIA Formula One World Championship for Drivers trophy.","summary":"During the ceremony, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen received his FIA Formula One World Championship for Drivers trophy.","keySentence":"","url":"2023-champions-honored-at-fia-prize-giving-event-in-baku","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2023\/12\/09\/2023-champions-honored-at-fia-prize-giving-event-in-baku","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"FIA champions for the 2023 season have been honoured during a ceremony held in the Baku Convention Center, with the event concluding the week of FIA General Assemblies taking place in the capital city of Azerbaijan. \n\nHosted by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the event was\u202fheld by\u202fthe local FIA member club, the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation (AAF), the City of Baku and the Baku City Circuit. \n\nThe focal point of the evening was Max Verstappen receiving the FIA Formula One World Championship for Drivers trophy for the third time in his career in reward for his stellar season that resulted in a total of 19 wins (as well as four out of a possible six sprint wins) achieved across the 22 races held this year. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>FIA champions for the 2023 season have been honoured during a ceremony held in the Baku Convention Center, with the event concluding the week of FIA General Assemblies taking place in the capital city of Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n<p>Hosted by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the event was\u202fheld by\u202fthe local FIA member club, the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation (AAF), the City of Baku and the Baku City Circuit.<\/p>\n<p>The focal point of the evening was Max Verstappen receiving the FIA Formula One World Championship for Drivers trophy for the third time in his career in reward for his stellar season that resulted in a total of 19 wins (as well as four out of a possible six sprint wins) achieved across the 22 races held this year.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1702559788,"updatedAt":1702567088,"publishedAt":1702134018,"firstPublishedAt":1702566521,"lastPublishedAt":1702566645,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"FIA","altText":"FIA Prize Giving","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"FIA Prize Giving","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/03\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_65c92de0-3a20-5804-805b-a2889531fc13-8110360.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"FIA","altText":"FIA Prize Giving","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"FIA Prize Giving","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/11\/03\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3c39f10e-a21b-5332-af9d-4685449b9e04-8110360.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","titleRaw":"news","id":11940,"title":"news","slug":"news"},{"urlSafeValue":"baku","titleRaw":"Baku","id":4329,"title":"Baku","slug":"baku"},{"urlSafeValue":"formula-1","titleRaw":"Formula 1","id":7991,"title":"Formula 1","slug":"formula-1"},{"urlSafeValue":"mobility","titleRaw":"Mobility","id":15744,"title":"Mobility","slug":"mobility"},{"urlSafeValue":"awards","titleRaw":"Awards","id":7745,"title":"Awards","slug":"awards"}],"widgets":[],"related":[],"technicalTags":[{"path":"nocommentvertical"}],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"gHWOyJ1V6ZY","dailymotionId":"x8qk8fd"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":7882947,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NC\/SU\/23\/12\/14\/en\/231214_NCSU_54230807_54230840_60000_142054_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":60000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":12134595,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NC\/SU\/23\/12\/14\/en\/231214_NCSU_54230807_54230840_60000_142054_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"no comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"vertical":"news","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":1,"title":"News","slug":"news"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"news","id":"news","title":"World","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":{"id":4329,"urlSafeValue":"baku","title":"Baku"},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"FIA Prize Giving Event","path":"\/video\/2023\/12\/09\/2023-champions-honored-at-fia-prize-giving-event-in-baku","lastModified":1702566645},{"id":2399536,"cid":7987990,"versionId":4,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231204_EOSU_53568146","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Top things to do in Shamakhi: Azerbaijan's hiking and hot air balloon hotspot","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Exploring Shamakhi: Azerbaijan's hiking and hot air balloon hotspot","titleListing2":"We visit Azerbaijan's stunning Pirgulu State Reserve to sample the local organic wine and take in the sights from above and below.","leadin":"In Azerbaijan's Shamakhi region, there really is something for everyone. From stunning nature walks to the biggest space observatory in the country, and an airborne adventure that's sure to blow you away.","summary":"In Azerbaijan's Shamakhi region, there really is something for everyone. From stunning nature walks to the biggest space observatory in the country, and an airborne adventure that's sure to blow you away.","keySentence":"","url":"top-things-to-do-in-shamakhi-azerbaijans-hiking-and-hot-air-balloon-hotspot","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2023\/12\/04\/top-things-to-do-in-shamakhi-azerbaijans-hiking-and-hot-air-balloon-hotspot","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Pirgulu State Reserve is a nature park located close to Shamakhi, about 130km west of Baku, Azerbaijan\u2019s capital. This natural reserve at the eastern edge of the Greater Caucasus was established in 1968.\u00a0 \n\nOur presenter Cinzia Rizzi takes a hike through its thick forests and mesmerising landscapes. \n\nHiking isn\u2019t the only attraction in the region. Local authorities are promoting tourism by offering an activity that doesn't require you to stay on the ground: a ride in a hot air balloon.\u00a0 \n\nThe first Hot Air Balloon Festival in Azerbaijan was held in Shamakhi last June when the sky was lit up with balloons of different shapes, colours, and designs, giving participants a chance to experience the thrill of a balloon ride. \n\nShamakhi is also one of the largest winemaking centres in Azerbaijan. The surrounding hills produce famous wines and cognacs, recognised all over the world. \n\nFavourable conditions when it comes to the soil and the climate have enabled viticulture to spread in the region for thousands of years. And now the practice is entering a new era with winemakers producing the country's first organic wines that have EU certification. \n\n\nClick on the video player above to watch the full story. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Pirgulu State Reserve is a nature park located close to Shamakhi, about 130km west of Baku, Azerbaijan\u2019s capital. This natural reserve at the eastern edge of the Greater Caucasus was established in 1968.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Our presenter Cinzia Rizzi takes a hike through its thick forests and mesmerising landscapes.<\/p>\n<p>Hiking isn\u2019t the only attraction in the region. Local authorities are promoting tourism by offering an activity that doesn't require you to stay on the ground: a ride in a hot air balloon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The first Hot Air Balloon Festival in Azerbaijan was held in Shamakhi last June when the sky was lit up with balloons of different shapes, colours, and designs, giving participants a chance to experience the thrill of a balloon ride.<\/p>\n<p>Shamakhi is also one of the largest winemaking centres in Azerbaijan. The surrounding hills produce famous wines and cognacs, recognised all over the world.<\/p>\n<p>Favourable conditions when it comes to the soil and the climate have enabled viticulture to spread in the region for thousands of years. And now the practice is entering a new era with winemakers producing the country's first organic wines that have EU certification. <\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Click on the video player above to watch the full story.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1698074209,"updatedAt":1709937717,"publishedAt":1701703848,"firstPublishedAt":1699614727,"lastPublishedAt":1709937717,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/79\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_684c7488-835d-5b31-bd19-74bc5497928f-7987988.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"urlSafeValue":"rizzi","twitter":"@cinziarizzi7","title":"Cinzia Rizzi"}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","titleRaw":"Travel","id":12639,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"},{"urlSafeValue":"tourism","titleRaw":"Tourism","id":4221,"title":"Tourism","slug":"tourism"},{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2416450},{"id":2418562}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2022"},{"path":"sponsor"},{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2023"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"_4IwL75WACU","dailymotionId":"x8q87ba"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":38686057,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/EO\/SU\/23\/12\/04\/en\/231204_EOSU_53568146_53568150_300000_171135_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":58412905,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/EO\/SU\/23\/12\/04\/en\/231204_EOSU_53568146_53568150_300000_171135_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"explore","urlSafeValue":"explore","title":"explore","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-series\/explore"},"vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","id":7,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel-series","id":"travel-series","title":"Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":32,"urlSafeValue":"travel-series","title":"Series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1659347685,"endDate":2114333689,"type":"sponsored","slug":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022","title":"Azerbaijan tourism 2022","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Azerbaijan Tourism Board","sponsorName":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022","sponsorUrl":"https:\/\/azerbaijan.travel\/","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/522\/180x69_cmsv2_776cd692-95fb-5a75-90ac-6bb6f2df2805-522.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_food','gs_fooddrink','gs_attractions','gs_travel_holidays','gs_travel_misc'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"EO-04-From above and below - MASTER","path":"\/travel\/2023\/12\/04\/top-things-to-do-in-shamakhi-azerbaijans-hiking-and-hot-air-balloon-hotspot","lastModified":1709937717},{"id":2423302,"cid":8068682,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231201_FOSU_54003260","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"SPECA: Central Asia reaffirms its key role in international transport","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"SPECA: Central Asia reaffirms its key role in international transport","titleListing2":"In Baku, during SPECA week, the United Nations programme for Central Asian countries, the Member States signed new agreements to develop better international connections between Asia and Europe.","leadin":"In Baku, during SPECA week, the United Nations programme for Central Asian countries, the Member States signed new agreements to develop better international connections between Asia and Europe.","summary":"In Baku, during SPECA week, the United Nations programme for Central Asian countries, the Member States signed new agreements to develop better international connections between Asia and Europe.","keySentence":"","url":"speca-central-asia-reaffirms-its-key-role-in-international-transport","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2023\/12\/01\/speca-central-asia-reaffirms-its-key-role-in-international-transport","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Baku welcomed participants to SPECA week , a special UN programme designed for the countries\u00a0 of Central Asia. This year marks the programme's 25th anniversary and was \u00a0the first time that a summit of leaders from SPECA states was organised.\u00a0 \n\nThe main topic focused on transforming the region into a connectivity hub with global outreach.\u00a0 Sustainable transport, trade and energy are among the key areas for SPECA, which was established in 1998 to facilitate integration of these countries into the global economy and to become a platform for cooperation aimed at achieving UN Sustainable Development goals . \n\nAzerbaijan-Central Asia relations at 'record high' \n\nSPECA unites five Central Asian countries, along with Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan and two UN\u00a0 agencies. The summit supported the creation of the SPECA Multi Partner Trust Fund under the\u00a0 auspices of the UN.\u00a0 \n\nAzerbaijan, which is the chair of SPECA this year, will provide $3.5 million to this Fund. \n\n\u201cThis programme is based on economic relations between Central Asia and Azerbaijan; today we\u00a0 see the new dimension of that interaction,\" said Azerbaijan's President\u00a0 Ilham Aliyev. \n\n\"During the last two years, interaction between Azerbaijan and all Central Asian countries, and also among Central Asian countries, is at a record high. So this is a new reality and we need to capitalise on that.\u00a0 \n\n\"We have excellent relations with all SPECA states. We have a lot of investment projects now: Azerbaijan invests in Central Asia, and Central Asian invests in Azerbaijan. We have projects such as the East-West Trans-Caspian Route, which is one the most attractive transport routes for Central Asia \u2013 connecting to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean and then on to Europe through\u00a0 integrated connectivity projects. We see a lot of positive dynamics on the political track.\" \n\nA connectivity hub: Boosting the region's economic potential \n\nThe Baku Declaration adopted at the summit emphasised a strong political willingness to jointly capitalise on the region\u2019s vast economic potential. \n\n\u201cThe analysis shows the opportunity to increase the mutual trade turnover of our countries from the current $52 billion to $100 billion by 2030,\" said the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. \n\nThe SPECA Economic Forum , which took place ahead of the summit, discussed how the region can become a connectivity hub between Europe and Asia. \n\n \u201cIt\u2019s the most important platform that brings together one of the world\u2019s biggest regions\u00a0 of landlocked countries,\" explained\u00a0 Samad Bashirli, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Economy and\u00a0 Co-Chair of SPECA Economic Forum. \n\n\"As landlocked countries we have to cooperate and increase our transport cooperation, which in turn will facilitate our trade and increase our integration into the world economy,\" he added. \n\nImproving the logistics capacity and performance index of trade corridors is crucial for the SPECA landlocked countries. \n\n\u201cWe see a big role for digital solutions, in making sure that goods can pass through the corridor\u00a0 between Europe and Asia much faster,\" said\u00a0 Dmitry Mariyasin, the Deputy Executive Secretary at UNECE and fellow\u00a0 Co-Chair of SPECA Economic Forum. \n\n\"It is about adopting UN norms and standards in how\u00a0 member states clear customs, how freight documentation is exchanged. It is about making sure\u00a0 that the different parts of the ecosystem, the traders, the customs authorities and government\u00a0 officials can use similar approaches, and can literally use one language; and this is what we are\u00a0 focusing on from the UN side.\" \n\nThe Trans-Caspian International Transport Route \n\nThe Trans-Caspian International Transport Route took centre stage at the forum.\u00a0 This multilateral, multimodal corridor connects China and Europe, passing through the region via ferry terminals, rail systems, and roads across various countries.\u00a0 \n\nTo enhance the Middle Corridor\u2019s efficiency a roadmap for the digitalisation of multimodal data\u00a0 and document exchange, in accordance with UN standards and documents, was endorsed in\u00a0 Baku. \n\n\u201cThe idea is to harmonise digitalisation along the whole supply chain using UN standards as well as UN semantic standards and reference data models, so that data can flow seamlessly along the whole supply chain, moving from one mode of transport to another, from one sector of the supply chain to another. The buzzword in all of that is interoperability,\" said\u00a0Mario Apostolov, Regional Adviser at the UNECE's ECT Division. \n\n\"This is a multimodal route that we are trying to develop; since the demand has grown, we expect that when the decisions and recommendations of SPECA are applied it will have a multiplier effect that will significantly increase freight traffic on our corridor,\" revealed\u00a0Gaidar Abdikerimov, the Secretary General of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. \n\nKazakhstan 'quite serious' about the green energy transition \n\nHow SPECA can become a region of interconnected energy systems, moving towards lower\u00a0 carbon energy sources, was another major topic of discussions in Baku. \n\n\"We are really encouraging member states to scale renewable energy resources, to integrate them in their energy mix through low and zero-carbon technologies, to strengthen the capacity of the grid to absorb the additional renewable energy capacity, because this will help the\u00a0 region to achieve energy resiliency and to achieve net zero,\" said\u00a0 Iva Brkic, the Economic Affairs Officer at UNECE. \n\nUN agencies are working with SPECA states, helping to develop tools and design energy\u00a0 policies to achieve resilient and carbon neutral energy systems.\u00a0 \n\nEuronews asked the President of Kazakhstan,\u00a0 Kasym Jomart Tokayev, \u00a0how his country sees the net-zero transformation. \n\n\u201cWe are quite serious about decarbonising our economy, and about the diversification of our\u00a0 economy, making impetus on developing non-carbon sectors in Kazakhstan,\" he told Euronews. \n\n\"It\u2019s a challenge. There needs to be a huge change in our mindsets first of all, and I\u00a0 do acknowledge that it\u2019s a general trend in global economic development, and Kazakhstan won\u2019t lag behind, and at the same time we are very much committed to environmental protection. Yes, Kazakhstan still relies on coal in its energy mix, but I think that in the nearest future the situation will change positively.\" \n\nThe region\u2019s energy potential is huge.\u00a0 SPECA states are working to diversify energy transit\u00a0 routes to global markets. \n\n\"Energy resources are distributed unevenly. To ensure the energy security of countries, there is\u00a0 an objective need for cooperation and interconnection,\" said\u00a0 Samir Valiyev, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Energy. \n\n\"The SPECA program at the forum helps\u00a0 to foster this cooperation, as well as the organisation of ongoing discussions and the\u00a0 harmonisation of rules, and legislation in the support and organization of various infrastructure\u00a0 projects.\" \n\nClimate change and lack of water resources are among the region\u2019s crucial challenges. SPECA\u00a0 can, no doubt, play an important role in addressing these challenges. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Baku welcomed participants to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////unece.org//speca//events//2023-speca-economic-forum/">SPECA week<\/a>, a special UN programme designed for the countries\u00a0of Central Asia. This year marks the programme's 25th anniversary and was\u00a0the first time that a summit of leaders from SPECA states was organised.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The main topic focused on transforming the region into a connectivity hub with global outreach.\u00a0Sustainable transport, trade and energy are among the key areas for SPECA, which was established in 1998 to facilitate integration of these countries into the global economy and to become a platform for cooperation aimed at achieving <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////sdgs.un.org//goals/">UN Sustainable Development goals<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Azerbaijan-Central Asia relations at 'record high'<\/strong><\/h2><p>SPECA unites five Central Asian countries, along with Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan and two UN\u00a0agencies. The summit supported the creation of the SPECA Multi Partner Trust Fund under the\u00a0auspices of the UN.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Azerbaijan, which is the chair of SPECA this year, will provide $3.5 million to this Fund.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis programme is based on economic relations between Central Asia and Azerbaijan; today we\u00a0see the new dimension of that interaction,\" said Azerbaijan's President\u00a0Ilham Aliyev.<\/p>\n<p>\"During the last two years, interaction between Azerbaijan and all Central Asian countries, and also among Central Asian countries, is at a record high. So this is a new reality and we need to capitalise on that.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"We have excellent relations with all SPECA states. We have a lot of investment projects now: Azerbaijan invests in Central Asia, and Central Asian invests in Azerbaijan. We have projects such as the East-West Trans-Caspian Route, which is one the most attractive transport routes for Central Asia \u2013 connecting to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean and then on to Europe through\u00a0integrated connectivity projects. We see a lot of positive dynamics on the political track.\"<\/p>\n<h2><strong>A connectivity hub: Boosting the region's economic potential<\/strong><\/h2><p>The Baku Declaration adopted at the summit emphasised a strong political willingness to jointly capitalise on the region\u2019s vast economic potential.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe analysis shows the opportunity to increase the mutual trade turnover of our countries from the current $52 billion to $100 billion by 2030,\" said the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////unece.org//speca//events//2023-speca-economic-forum/">SPECA Economic Forum<\/a>, which took place ahead of the summit, discussed how the region can become a connectivity hub between Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s the most important platform that brings together one of the world\u2019s biggest regions\u00a0of landlocked countries,\" explained\u00a0Samad Bashirli, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Economy and\u00a0Co-Chair of SPECA Economic Forum.<\/p>\n<p>\"As landlocked countries we have to cooperate and increase our transport cooperation, which in turn will facilitate our trade and increase our integration into the world economy,\" he added.<\/p>\n<p>Improving the logistics capacity and performance index of trade corridors is crucial for the SPECA landlocked countries.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe see a big role for digital solutions, in making sure that goods can pass through the corridor\u00a0between Europe and Asia much faster,\" said\u00a0Dmitry Mariyasin, the Deputy Executive Secretary at UNECE and fellow\u00a0Co-Chair of SPECA Economic Forum.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is about adopting UN norms and standards in how\u00a0member states clear customs, how freight documentation is exchanged. It is about making sure\u00a0that the different parts of the ecosystem, the traders, the customs authorities and government\u00a0officials can use similar approaches, and can literally use one language; and this is what we are\u00a0focusing on from the UN side.\"<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7776716,7240978\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2023//09//04//re-greening-uzbekistans-desertified-aral-sea-region/">Re-greening Uzbekistan's desertified Aral Sea region<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2022//12//21//uzbekistan-makes-strides-towards-a-greener-future-through-solar-energy/">Uzbekistan makes strides towards a greener future through solar energy<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2><strong>The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route<\/strong><\/h2><p>The <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2023//11//29//un-programme-for-the-economies-of-central-asia-transforming-central-asia-into-a-connectivi/">Trans-Caspian International Transport Route<\/a> took centre stage at the forum.\u00a0This multilateral, multimodal corridor connects China and Europe, passing through the region via ferry terminals, rail systems, and roads across various countries.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>To enhance the Middle Corridor\u2019s efficiency a roadmap for the digitalisation of multimodal data\u00a0and document exchange, in accordance with UN standards and documents, was endorsed in\u00a0Baku.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe idea is to harmonise digitalisation along the whole supply chain using UN standards as well as UN semantic standards and reference data models, so that data can flow seamlessly along the whole supply chain, moving from one mode of transport to another, from one sector of the supply chain to another. The buzzword in all of that is interoperability,\" said\u00a0Mario Apostolov, Regional Adviser at the UNECE's ECT Division.<\/p>\n<p>\"This is a multimodal route that we are trying to develop; since the demand has grown, we expect that when the decisions and recommendations of SPECA are applied it will have a multiplier effect that will significantly increase freight traffic on our corridor,\" revealed\u00a0Gaidar Abdikerimov, the Secretary General of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kazakhstan 'quite serious' about the green energy transition<\/strong><\/h2><p>How SPECA can become a region of interconnected energy systems, moving towards lower\u00a0carbon energy sources, was another major topic of discussions in Baku.<\/p>\n<p>\"We are really encouraging member states to scale renewable energy resources, to integrate them in their energy mix through low and zero-carbon technologies, to strengthen the capacity of the grid to absorb the additional renewable energy capacity, because this will help the\u00a0region to achieve energy resiliency and to achieve net zero,\" said\u00a0Iva Brkic, the Economic Affairs Officer at UNECE.<\/p>\n<p>UN agencies are working with SPECA states, helping to develop tools and design energy\u00a0policies to achieve resilient and carbon neutral energy systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Euronews asked the President of Kazakhstan,\u00a0Kasym Jomart Tokayev,\u00a0how his country sees the net-zero transformation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are quite serious about decarbonising our economy, and about the diversification of our\u00a0economy, making impetus on developing non-carbon sectors in Kazakhstan,\" he told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>\"It\u2019s a challenge. There needs to be a huge change in our mindsets first of all, and I\u00a0do acknowledge that it\u2019s a general trend in global economic development, and Kazakhstan won\u2019t lag behind, and at the same time we are very much committed to environmental protection. Yes, Kazakhstan still relies on coal in its energy mix, but I think that in the nearest future the situation will change positively.\"<\/p>\n<p>The region\u2019s energy potential is huge.\u00a0SPECA states are working to diversify energy transit\u00a0routes to global markets.<\/p>\n<p>\"Energy resources are distributed unevenly. To ensure the energy security of countries, there is\u00a0an objective need for cooperation and interconnection,\" said\u00a0Samir Valiyev, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Energy.<\/p>\n<p>\"The SPECA program at the forum helps\u00a0to foster this cooperation, as well as the organisation of ongoing discussions and the\u00a0harmonisation of rules, and legislation in the support and organization of various infrastructure\u00a0projects.\"<\/p>\n<p>Climate change and lack of water resources are among the region\u2019s crucial challenges. SPECA\u00a0can, no doubt, play an important role in addressing these challenges.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1701073063,"updatedAt":1701460824,"publishedAt":1701457801,"firstPublishedAt":1701444539,"lastPublishedAt":1701460131,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/06\/86\/84\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_792da8cb-f55c-56a7-8f63-3d69ae40d271-8068684.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"urlSafeValue":"polonskaya","twitter":null,"title":"Galina Polonskaya"}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"summit","titleRaw":"Summit","id":7825,"title":"Summit","slug":"summit"},{"urlSafeValue":"economy","titleRaw":"Economy","id":572,"title":"Economy","slug":"economy"},{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2423406},{"id":2410206},{"id":2400222}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"sponsor.speca2023"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"YZiiNlZ4thE","dailymotionId":"x8q57qt"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":480000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":61205990,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/FO\/SU\/23\/12\/01\/en\/231201_FOSU_54003260_54003262_480000_202302_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":480000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":94620134,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/FO\/SU\/23\/12\/01\/en\/231201_FOSU_54003260_54003262_480000_202302_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"focus","urlSafeValue":"focus","title":"Focus","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/business-series\/focus"},"vertical":"business","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"business","id":11,"title":"Business","slug":"business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"business-series","id":"business-series","title":"Business Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/business-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":76,"urlSafeValue":"business-series","title":"Business Series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1698804499,"endDate":2114302106,"type":"sponsored","slug":"azpromo-2023","title":"Azpromo 2023","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Azpromo","sponsorName":"azpromo-2023","sponsorUrl":"https:\/\/azpromo.az\/en","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/742\/180x117_cmsv2_db7c3bc9-88a1-526a-962b-a49239d0b14c-742.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"FO-20-SPECA Baku - MASTER","path":"\/business\/2023\/12\/01\/speca-central-asia-reaffirms-its-key-role-in-international-transport","lastModified":1701460131},{"id":2425238,"cid":8075616,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231129_BUSU_54041208","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"UN Programme for the Economies of Central Asia: Transforming Central Asia into a connectivity hub","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"UN Programme for the Economies of Central Asia: Transforming Central Asia into a connectivity hub","leadin":"Central Asian countries united last week to shine the spotlight on collaborative development, sustainability and regional integration as part of their continued economic expansion.","summary":"Central Asian countries united last week to shine the spotlight on collaborative development, sustainability and regional integration as part of their continued economic expansion.","keySentence":"","url":"un-programme-for-the-economies-of-central-asia-transforming-central-asia-into-a-connectivi","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/2023\/11\/29\/un-programme-for-the-economies-of-central-asia-transforming-central-asia-into-a-connectivi","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Central Asian countries united last week to shine the spotlight on collaborative development, sustainability and regional integration as part of their continued economic expansion. \n\nSpeaking at the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Governing Council meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan\u2019s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov emphasised the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor\u2019s (Middle Corridor) potential to revitalise economic ties among member countries and expand trade cooperation. \n\nEstablished on March 26, 1998, SPECA program\u2019s current members include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. \n\nThe platform\u2019s overall mission is to support the countries in their efforts for development, cooperation and integration into the economies of Europe and Asia, through several UN-backed initiatives and policies. \n\nAt the 2023 SPECA Economic Forum, participating countries reviewed national and regional plans and strategies for sustainable trade facilitation and development and strengthened cooperation among trade diplomats to be rolled out in the next two to three years. \n\nConnectivity is key \n\nThe 18th meeting of the SPECA Governing Council was held under Azerbaijani chairmanship and focused on the theme of \u201cTransforming the SPECA region into a connectivity hub with global outreach\u201d. \n\nFor the first time in the organisation\u2019s history, the SPECA summit was held at a head of state level, with prime ministers of Georgia and Hungary and the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation attending the discussions in Baku as guests of honour. \n\nParticipating members discussed the increasing significance of connectivity in the face of new challenges in the Middle Corridor between Europe and China, highlighting the potential of digital transformation to make economies greener, circular and inclusive. \n\nIn landlocked countries, businesses pay more than double their coastal counterparts to export their goods, with huge trade costs reducing demand and impeding sustainable development. \n\nTo address this, SPECA hopes to digitise the supply chain for more efficient Euro-Asian transport links in line with the UN\u2019s legal standards, such as the UN\/CEFAT standards for multimodal data exchange to facilitate goods across borders. \n\nSustainable energy at the forefront \n\nThe Working Group supports cross-border and regional cooperation for the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in Central Asia to advance green and sustainable trade. \n\nThe regional energy system in Central Asia contains huge untapped potential, with SPECA participating states working to diversify energy transit routes and sources to global markets. \n\nInfrastructure for large-scale energy generation is also crucial, with Azerbaijan and other participating states developing their capacity and enhancing regional energy connectivity to improve the resiliency of the system. \n\nAn integrated and interconnected energy infrastructure, which encompasses the electricity and gas grid and enables the transport and trade of low-carbon and green hydrogen, can help create a more reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply. \n\nThis also allows for deep decarbonisation and increased integration of scaled renewable energy, which will generate new jobs, improve gender equality and work towards the sustainable development of the economy. \n\nBuilding on past success \n\nExperts from across the member states descended on Baku in a fruitful exchange of views through panel discussions, formulating new ideas and initiatives related to trade, transport, digitalisation and energy in the SPECA region. \n\nThe resulting conclusions will guide member states on how to transform the SPECA region into a well-connected and sustainable hub for trade and transport with global outreach in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). \n\nThe final session of the forum featured insight from academic and research institutions who discussed long-term strategic foresight aimed at harnessing international integration for the next 25 years. \n\nThis year\u2019s event builds on 25 years of progress, which has forged impactful integration within the region and positioned the SPECA region as a connectivity hub at the geographic heart of the Eurasian landmass. \n\nIn 2019, the SPECA Economic Forum issued the Ashgabat initiative on enhancing connectivity using UN norms, standards and tools whilst bolstering connectivity in the SPECA region. \n\nThe 2021 forum, meanwhile, prepared the Tashkent Statement on Sustainable Transport, Trade and Connectivity in the SPECA Region for a Greener, Circular and Inclusive Post-Pandemic Recovery. \n\nIn the declaration, members affirmed their intention to collaborate on building a greener, circular and inclusive economy in the region as it recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on trade, transport and connectivity. \n\nSpeaking at the SPECA summit, Azerbaijan\u2019s President Ilham Aliyev explained how collaborative efforts have strengthened financial stability over the years. \n\n\u201cAt the time of SPECA\u2019s inception, the Member States were taking their first steps as independent countries. We were facing a multitude of problems and challenges\u201d he said. \n\n\u201cIn the last 25 years, we have overcome the major challenges, strengthened our state sovereignty, become valuable members of the international community and achieved rapid economic development. Another factor uniting our countries is the political stability.\u201d \n\nKyrgyzstan\u2019s Minister of Economy and Commerce Daniyar Amangeldiev echoed these views and spoke of the region\u2019s potential moving forward. \n\n\"We are in a geopolitically unique location that provides tremendous prospects for the expansion of transit routes, trade, and economic growth. Central Asia holds a vital place in today's world,\u201d he said. \n\n\u201cThis region is more than just a crossroads of commerce lines; it is a site where the interests of various countries and regions intersect.\u201d \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Central Asian countries united last week to shine the spotlight on collaborative development, sustainability and regional integration as part of their continued economic expansion.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Governing Council meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan\u2019s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov emphasised the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor\u2019s (Middle Corridor) potential to revitalise economic ties among member countries and expand trade cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>Established on March 26, 1998, SPECA program\u2019s current members include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n<p>The platform\u2019s overall mission is to support the countries in their efforts for development, cooperation and integration into the economies of Europe and Asia, through several UN-backed initiatives and policies.<\/p>\n<p>At the 2023 SPECA Economic Forum, participating countries reviewed national and regional plans and strategies for sustainable trade facilitation and development and strengthened cooperation among trade diplomats to be rolled out in the next two to three years.<\/p>\n<h2>Connectivity is key<\/h2><p>The 18th meeting of the SPECA Governing Council was held under Azerbaijani chairmanship and focused on the theme of \u201cTransforming the SPECA region into a connectivity hub with global outreach\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>For the first time in the organisation\u2019s history, the SPECA summit was held at a head of state level, with prime ministers of Georgia and Hungary and the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation attending the discussions in Baku as guests of honour.<\/p>\n<p>Participating members discussed the increasing significance of connectivity in the face of new challenges in the Middle Corridor between Europe and China, highlighting the potential of digital transformation to make economies greener, circular and inclusive.<\/p>\n<p>In landlocked countries, businesses pay more than double their coastal counterparts to export their goods, with huge trade costs reducing demand and impeding sustainable development.<\/p>\n<p>To address this, SPECA hopes to digitise the supply chain for more efficient Euro-Asian transport links in line with the UN\u2019s legal standards, such as the UN\/CEFAT standards for multimodal data exchange to facilitate goods across borders.<\/p>\n<h2>Sustainable energy at the forefront<\/h2><p>The Working Group supports cross-border and regional cooperation for the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in Central Asia to advance green and sustainable trade.<\/p>\n<p>The regional energy system in Central Asia contains huge untapped potential, with SPECA participating states working to diversify energy transit routes and sources to global markets.<\/p>\n<p>Infrastructure for large-scale energy generation is also crucial, with Azerbaijan and other participating states developing their capacity and enhancing regional energy connectivity to improve the resiliency of the system.<\/p>\n<p>An integrated and interconnected energy infrastructure, which encompasses the electricity and gas grid and enables the transport and trade of low-carbon and green hydrogen, can help create a more reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply.<\/p>\n<p>This also allows for deep decarbonisation and increased integration of scaled renewable energy, which will generate new jobs, improve gender equality and work towards the sustainable development of the economy.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.687389770723104\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//07//56//16//808x557_cmsv2_ffb5a2ab-afe8-5b36-ac75-94e27879f8b2-8075616.jpg/" alt=\"\u00a9\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/07\/56\/16\/384x264_cmsv2_ffb5a2ab-afe8-5b36-ac75-94e27879f8b2-8075616.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/07\/56\/16\/640x440_cmsv2_ffb5a2ab-afe8-5b36-ac75-94e27879f8b2-8075616.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/07\/56\/16\/750x516_cmsv2_ffb5a2ab-afe8-5b36-ac75-94e27879f8b2-8075616.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/07\/56\/16\/828x569_cmsv2_ffb5a2ab-afe8-5b36-ac75-94e27879f8b2-8075616.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/07\/56\/16\/1080x742_cmsv2_ffb5a2ab-afe8-5b36-ac75-94e27879f8b2-8075616.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/07\/56\/16\/1200x825_cmsv2_ffb5a2ab-afe8-5b36-ac75-94e27879f8b2-8075616.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/07\/56\/16\/1920x1320_cmsv2_ffb5a2ab-afe8-5b36-ac75-94e27879f8b2-8075616.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">\u00a9<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Azpromo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Building on past success<\/h2><p>Experts from across the member states descended on Baku in a fruitful exchange of views through panel discussions, formulating new ideas and initiatives related to trade, transport, digitalisation and energy in the SPECA region.<\/p>\n<p>The resulting conclusions will guide member states on how to transform the SPECA region into a well-connected and sustainable hub for trade and transport with global outreach in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/p>\n<p>The final session of the forum featured insight from academic and research institutions who discussed long-term strategic foresight aimed at harnessing international integration for the next 25 years.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s event builds on 25 years of progress, which has forged impactful integration within the region and positioned the SPECA region as a connectivity hub at the geographic heart of the Eurasian landmass.<\/p>\n<p>In 2019, the SPECA Economic Forum issued the Ashgabat initiative on enhancing connectivity using UN norms, standards and tools whilst bolstering connectivity in the SPECA region.<\/p>\n<p>The 2021 forum, meanwhile, prepared the Tashkent Statement on Sustainable Transport, Trade and Connectivity in the SPECA Region for a Greener, Circular and Inclusive Post-Pandemic Recovery.<\/p>\n<p>In the declaration, members affirmed their intention to collaborate on building a greener, circular and inclusive economy in the region as it recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on trade, transport and connectivity.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at the SPECA summit, Azerbaijan\u2019s President Ilham Aliyev explained how collaborative efforts have strengthened financial stability over the years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the time of SPECA\u2019s inception, the Member States were taking their first steps as independent countries. We were facing a multitude of problems and challenges\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the last 25 years, we have overcome the major challenges, strengthened our state sovereignty, become valuable members of the international community and achieved rapid economic development. Another factor uniting our countries is the political stability.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kyrgyzstan\u2019s Minister of Economy and Commerce Daniyar Amangeldiev echoed these views and spoke of the region\u2019s potential moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>\"We are in a geopolitically unique location that provides tremendous prospects for the expansion of transit routes, trade, and economic growth. Central Asia holds a vital place in today's world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis region is more than just a crossroads of commerce lines; it is a site where the interests of various countries and regions intersect.\u201d<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1701277814,"updatedAt":1701278530,"publishedAt":1701278524,"firstPublishedAt":1701278530,"lastPublishedAt":1701278530,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Azpromo","altText":"\u00a9","callToActionText":null,"width":4000,"caption":"\u00a9","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/07\/56\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2a8e5e38-3614-5f2b-8b37-95a47311c6bb-8075616.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":2530},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Azpromo","altText":"\u00a9","callToActionText":null,"width":4536,"caption":"\u00a9","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/07\/56\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ffb5a2ab-afe8-5b36-ac75-94e27879f8b2-8075616.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":3118}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"united-nations","titleRaw":"United Nations","id":292,"title":"United Nations","slug":"united-nations"},{"urlSafeValue":"central-asia","titleRaw":"Central Asia","id":27428,"title":"Central Asia","slug":"central-asia"},{"urlSafeValue":"business","titleRaw":"Business","id":4595,"title":"Business","slug":"business"},{"urlSafeValue":"summit","titleRaw":"Summit","id":7825,"title":"Summit","slug":"summit"},{"urlSafeValue":"baku","titleRaw":"Baku","id":4329,"title":"Baku","slug":"baku"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"image"}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[{"path":"sponsor.speca2023"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Azpromo","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/business\/business"},"vertical":"business","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"business","id":11,"title":"Business","slug":"business"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":11,"slug":"business","urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"business","id":"business","title":"Business","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/business\/business"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":7,"urlSafeValue":"business","title":"Business"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1698858397,"endDate":2114356000,"type":"advertisement_feature","slug":"azpromo-2023-ad","title":"Azpromo 2023 Ad","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Azpromo","sponsorName":"azpromo-2023-ad","sponsorUrl":"https:\/\/azpromo.az\/en","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/742\/180x117_cmsv2_db7c3bc9-88a1-526a-962b-a49239d0b14c-742.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','gs_travel','gs_travel_locations','gs_science','gs_busfin','gs_travel_locations_asia','gs_science_geography','gs_travel_locations_europe','gs_busfin_business','progressivemedia','neg_mobkoi_castrol','gt_positive','shadow9hu7_pos_ukrainecrisis','neg_intel_en'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"SPECA Native Article","path":"\/business\/2023\/11\/29\/un-programme-for-the-economies-of-central-asia-transforming-central-asia-into-a-connectivi","lastModified":1701278530},{"id":2399534,"cid":7987966,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231127_EOSU_53568149","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Pampering in Azerbaijan: Find your zen with tea and wellness treatments","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Kick back in Lankaran with wellness treatments and Azerbaijani tea","titleListing2":"The southeastern region of Lankaran is home to natural hot springs and Azerbaijan's national drink: tea. Join us as we take a dip and a sip.","leadin":"The southeastern region of Lankaran is home to natural hot springs and Azerbaijan's national drink. Come with us as we relax in a luxury resort, test treatments, and discover the process of tea making.","summary":"The southeastern region of Lankaran is home to natural hot springs and Azerbaijan's national drink. Come with us as we relax in a luxury resort, test treatments, and discover the process of tea making.","keySentence":"","url":"pampering-in-azerbaijan-find-your-zen-with-tea-and-wellness-treatments","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2023\/11\/27\/pampering-in-azerbaijan-find-your-zen-with-tea-and-wellness-treatments","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The Lankaran region in southeastern Azerbaijan is nestled between the Caspian Sea and the Talysh mountains. It\u2019s home to numerous hot springs or Istisu, where locals have been healing themselves for centuries. \n\nIn this episode of Explore, our presenter Cinzia Rizzi visits the Lankaran Springs Wellness Resort , which has taken things to a whole new level while still maintaining a natural approach.\u00a0 \n\nYou can enjoy pools filled with hot spring water that comes from the ground at 45 to 46 degrees Celcius, take a Finnish sauna or a Turkish bath. The resort also goes all-in on treatments like hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and the lesser-known Naftalan-paraffin therapy,\u00a0 which aims to relieve pain and have healing and restorative effects.\u00a0 \n\nThis Azerbaijan region is also home to the national drink\u00a0chay or tea. The subtropical climate, humidity and fertile soil in this area make it a great place to grow tea.\u00a0 \n\nWe take a look at the entire process of making the drink, from picking the leaves to pouring it into the classical pear-shaped glass cups. \n\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The Lankaran region in southeastern Azerbaijan is nestled between the Caspian Sea and the Talysh mountains. It\u2019s home to numerous hot springs or Istisu, where locals have been healing themselves for centuries.<\/p>\n<p>In this episode of Explore, our presenter Cinzia Rizzi visits the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////lankaransprings.az//en/">Lankaran Springs Wellness Resort<\/a>, which has taken things to a whole new level while still maintaining a natural approach.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>You can enjoy pools filled with hot spring water that comes from the ground at 45 to 46 degrees Celcius, take a Finnish sauna or a Turkish bath. The resort also goes all-in on treatments like hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and the lesser-known Naftalan-paraffin therapy,\u00a0which aims to relieve pain and have healing and restorative effects.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7869982\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//09//18//azerbaijans-hikes-take-you-through-rocky-mountains-and-romantic-villages-these-are-our-top/">Azerbaijan/u2019s hikes take you through rocky mountains and romantic villages. These are our top 5<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This Azerbaijan region is also home to the national drink\u00a0chay or tea. The subtropical climate, humidity and fertile soil in this area make it a great place to grow tea.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We take a look at the entire process of making the drink, from picking the leaves to pouring it into the classical pear-shaped glass cups.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1698074199,"updatedAt":1709937494,"publishedAt":1701097229,"firstPublishedAt":1699371544,"lastPublishedAt":1709937494,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/79\/64\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f0b0ab4b-7d2a-531a-8245-ae3fad90977d-7987964.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"urlSafeValue":"rizzi","twitter":"@cinziarizzi7","title":"Cinzia Rizzi"}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"tourism","titleRaw":"Tourism","id":4221,"title":"Tourism","slug":"tourism"},{"urlSafeValue":"travel","titleRaw":"Travel","id":12639,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"},{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2362270},{"id":2401090},{"id":2418616}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2022"},{"path":"sponsor"},{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2023"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"T2JyZbRqMBE","dailymotionId":"x8q07un"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":38291279,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/EO\/SU\/23\/11\/27\/en\/231127_EOSU_53568149_53568156_300000_171120_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":58088271,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/EO\/SU\/23\/11\/27\/en\/231127_EOSU_53568149_53568156_300000_171120_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"explore","urlSafeValue":"explore","title":"explore","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-series\/explore"},"vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","id":7,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel-series","id":"travel-series","title":"Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":32,"urlSafeValue":"travel-series","title":"Series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1659347685,"endDate":2114333689,"type":"sponsored","slug":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022","title":"Azerbaijan tourism 2022","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Azerbaijan Tourism Board","sponsorName":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022","sponsorUrl":"https:\/\/azerbaijan.travel\/","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/522\/180x69_cmsv2_776cd692-95fb-5a75-90ac-6bb6f2df2805-522.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_travel_misc','gs_fooddrink','gs_fooddrink_alcohol','gs_food','gs_travel','gs_science_geography','gs_fooddrink_coffeetea','gs_fooddrink_non-alcoholic','gt_positive','gt_positive_pleasure'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"EO-03-Health and wellness - MASTER","path":"\/travel\/2023\/11\/27\/pampering-in-azerbaijan-find-your-zen-with-tea-and-wellness-treatments","lastModified":1709937494},{"id":2399264,"cid":7986934,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231120_EOSU_53562740","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Lush landscapes and high-quality honey: Taking in the sights and flavours of Azerbaijan","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Discover Azerbaijan's fairytale landscapes and flavours","titleListing2":"The remote mountain villages and immaculate countryside of northwestern Azerbaijan make it the perfect destination for lovers of the great outdoors","leadin":"In this episode of Explore, we go on a walking adventure in the beautiful countryside to uncover one of Azerbaijan\u2019s finest local products: Caucasian mountain honey.","summary":"In this episode of Explore, we go on a walking adventure in the beautiful countryside to uncover one of Azerbaijan\u2019s finest local products: Caucasian mountain honey.","keySentence":"","url":"lush-landscapes-and-high-quality-honey-taking-in-the-sights-and-flavours-of-azerbaijan","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2023\/11\/20\/lush-landscapes-and-high-quality-honey-taking-in-the-sights-and-flavours-of-azerbaijan","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"In northwestern Azerbaijan, the Greater Caucasus, with its mix of mountains and plains, lies along the ancient Silk Road, where Europe meets Asia.\u00a0 The remote mountain villages and immaculate countryside make it the perfect destination for lovers of the great outdoors. \n\nLekit is a small village at the foot of the mountains. Here, for centuries, locals have been producing the nectar of the gods: Caucasian mountain honey. \n\nThe mild climate is perfect for developing a wild beekeeping tradition, known as 'tekne'. By using a hollowed log carved from soft trees, tekne hives replicate the natural habitat of tree-dwelling bees. The absence of human interference is what distinguishes it from normal beekeeping. \n\nHowever, in the 19th century, Azerbaijan\u2019s traditional tekne hives were increasingly replaced by frame hives and only a few producers continue using the tekne and only a few producers continue to use them for raising bees. \n\nJust outside the village of Lekit, there are several hiking trails which go deep into the forest of the Greater Caucasus. And it\u2019s common to discover fairytale landscapes, such as the Mamirli waterfall, covered with a magnificent green carpet made of moss, a result of hundreds of years of water flowing amongst the rocks. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>In northwestern Azerbaijan, the Greater Caucasus, with its mix of mountains and plains, lies along the ancient Silk Road, where Europe meets Asia.\u00a0The remote mountain villages and immaculate countryside make it the perfect destination for lovers of the great outdoors.<\/p>\n<p>Lekit is a small village at the foot of the mountains. Here, for centuries, locals have been producing the nectar of the gods: Caucasian mountain honey.<\/p>\n<p>The mild climate is perfect for developing a wild beekeeping tradition, known as 'tekne'. By using a hollowed log carved from soft trees, tekne hives replicate the natural habitat of tree-dwelling bees. The absence of human interference is what distinguishes it from normal beekeeping.<\/p>\n<p>However, in the 19th century, Azerbaijan\u2019s traditional tekne hives were increasingly replaced by frame hives and only a few producers continue using the tekne and only a few producers continue to use them for raising bees.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//98//69//34//808x454_cmsv2_3ffabe7a-bb8a-5340-ae30-0b47337fc914-7986934.jpg/" alt=\"The mild climate is perfect for developing a wild beekeeping tradition, known as 'tekne'.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/69\/34\/384x216_cmsv2_3ffabe7a-bb8a-5340-ae30-0b47337fc914-7986934.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/69\/34\/640x360_cmsv2_3ffabe7a-bb8a-5340-ae30-0b47337fc914-7986934.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/69\/34\/750x422_cmsv2_3ffabe7a-bb8a-5340-ae30-0b47337fc914-7986934.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/69\/34\/828x466_cmsv2_3ffabe7a-bb8a-5340-ae30-0b47337fc914-7986934.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/69\/34\/1080x608_cmsv2_3ffabe7a-bb8a-5340-ae30-0b47337fc914-7986934.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/69\/34\/1200x675_cmsv2_3ffabe7a-bb8a-5340-ae30-0b47337fc914-7986934.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/69\/34\/1920x1080_cmsv2_3ffabe7a-bb8a-5340-ae30-0b47337fc914-7986934.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The mild climate is perfect for developing a wild beekeeping tradition, known as 'tekne'.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Just outside the village of Lekit, there are several hiking trails which go deep into the forest of the Greater Caucasus. And it\u2019s common to discover fairytale landscapes, such as the Mamirli waterfall, covered with a magnificent green carpet made of moss, a result of hundreds of years of water flowing amongst the rocks.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1698056901,"updatedAt":1709937287,"publishedAt":1700492404,"firstPublishedAt":1699369029,"lastPublishedAt":1709937287,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/69\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f17d5b65-ced7-56c9-8e8c-753504a418e9-7986936.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","altText":"The mild climate is perfect for developing a wild beekeeping tradition, known as 'tekne'.","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"The mild climate is perfect for developing a wild beekeeping tradition, known as 'tekne'.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/98\/69\/34\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3ffabe7a-bb8a-5340-ae30-0b47337fc914-7986934.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"urlSafeValue":"rizzi","twitter":"@cinziarizzi7","title":"Cinzia Rizzi"}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"tourism","titleRaw":"Tourism","id":4221,"title":"Tourism","slug":"tourism"},{"urlSafeValue":"travel","titleRaw":"Travel","id":12639,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"},{"urlSafeValue":"cooking","titleRaw":"Cooking","id":9567,"title":"Cooking","slug":"cooking"},{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"}],"widgets":[{"count":1,"slug":"image"}],"related":[{"id":2412614},{"id":2401090},{"id":2433482}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2022"},{"path":"sponsor"},{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2023"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"_gjmTJRAPRw","dailymotionId":"x8psnui"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":38788437,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/EO\/SU\/23\/11\/20\/en\/231120_EOSU_53562740_53562753_300000_163134_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":58705237,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/EO\/SU\/23\/11\/20\/en\/231120_EOSU_53562740_53562753_300000_163134_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"explore","urlSafeValue":"explore","title":"explore","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-series\/explore"},"vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","id":7,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel-series","id":"travel-series","title":"Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":32,"urlSafeValue":"travel-series","title":"Series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1659347685,"endDate":2114333689,"type":"sponsored","slug":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022","title":"Azerbaijan tourism 2022","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Azerbaijan Tourism Board","sponsorName":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022","sponsorUrl":"https:\/\/azerbaijan.travel\/","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/522\/180x69_cmsv2_776cd692-95fb-5a75-90ac-6bb6f2df2805-522.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_travel_misc','gs_science','gs_science_geography','gs_food'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"EO-02-Flavours of Azerbaijan - MASTER","path":"\/travel\/2023\/11\/20\/lush-landscapes-and-high-quality-honey-taking-in-the-sights-and-flavours-of-azerbaijan","lastModified":1709937287},{"id":2385008,"cid":7940326,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231113_EOSU_53320761","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"What to see in Baku: The capital where ancient and modern collide","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"What to see in Baku: The capital where ancient and modern collide","titleListing2":"From the narrow alleys of the old town to the futuristic architecture of the modern city, Baku is the perfect example of Azerbaijan\u2019s mixture of traditions and modernity","leadin":"Baku is the perfect example of Azerbaijan\u2019s mixture of traditions and modernity. You can get lost in the narrow streets of the old town, learn more about carpet weaving or be mesmerised by the futuristic architecture of the modern city.","summary":"Baku is the perfect example of Azerbaijan\u2019s mixture of traditions and modernity. You can get lost in the narrow streets of the old town, learn more about carpet weaving or be mesmerised by the futuristic architecture of the modern city.","keySentence":"","url":"what-to-see-in-baku-the-capital-where-ancient-and-modern-collide","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2023\/11\/13\/what-to-see-in-baku-the-capital-where-ancient-and-modern-collide","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Baku is the perfect example of Azerbaijan\u2019s mixture of continents, traditions and modernity. In this episode of Explore, Cinzia Rizzi discovers the capital of this country located at the crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, known as the 'Land of Fire.'\u00a0 \n\nIcherisheher:\u00a0 A World Heritage Site \n\nIcherisheher - as the inner town of Baku is locally known - is a network of charming narrow streets enclosed by walls erected in the 12th century, and it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site .\u00a0 \n\nHere, you can get lost among the crafts shops and historical monuments.\u00a0One such site is the Maiden Tower, the symbol of Baku. From here, you can observe the magnificence of the Shirvanshah's Palace, the residence of the Shirvan dynasty who ruled this historical region from the 9th to the 16th century. \n\nTraditional carpets and futuristic architecture \n\nWe also learn about the important carpet weaving tradition in Azerbaijan, which originated here 5000 years ago, and is undergoing large-scale development. \n\nIn this episode, we also show you the modern side of Baku, with its iconic skyscrapers, amazing viewpoints and the breathtaking Heydar Aliyev Center , an architectural masterpiece by the famous Zaha Hadid. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Baku is the perfect example of Azerbaijan\u2019s mixture of continents, traditions and modernity. In this episode of Explore, Cinzia Rizzi discovers the capital of this country located at the crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, known as the 'Land of Fire.'\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Icherisheher:\u00a0<strong>A World Heritage Site<\/strong><\/h2><p>Icherisheher - as the inner town of Baku is locally known - is a network of charming narrow streets enclosed by walls erected in the 12th century, and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////whc.unesco.org//en//list//958///">it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//94//03//26//808x454_cmsv2_eeae7e41-9959-5ac8-b1a7-113ca8d71140-7940326.jpg/" alt=\"The Maiden Tower, the symbol of Baku\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/384x216_cmsv2_eeae7e41-9959-5ac8-b1a7-113ca8d71140-7940326.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/640x360_cmsv2_eeae7e41-9959-5ac8-b1a7-113ca8d71140-7940326.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/750x422_cmsv2_eeae7e41-9959-5ac8-b1a7-113ca8d71140-7940326.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/828x466_cmsv2_eeae7e41-9959-5ac8-b1a7-113ca8d71140-7940326.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/1080x608_cmsv2_eeae7e41-9959-5ac8-b1a7-113ca8d71140-7940326.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/1200x675_cmsv2_eeae7e41-9959-5ac8-b1a7-113ca8d71140-7940326.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/1920x1080_cmsv2_eeae7e41-9959-5ac8-b1a7-113ca8d71140-7940326.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">The Maiden Tower, the symbol of Baku<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Here, you can get lost among the crafts shops and historical monuments.\u00a0One such site is the Maiden Tower, the symbol of Baku. From here, you can observe the magnificence of the Shirvanshah's Palace, the residence of the Shirvan dynasty who ruled this historical region from the 9th to the 16th century.<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7869982,7108362\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2022//12//15//azerbaijan-health-and-well-being-in-the-most-unlikely-of-places/">Azerbaijan: Health and well-being in the most unlikely of places<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//travel//2023//09//18//azerbaijans-hikes-take-you-through-rocky-mountains-and-romantic-villages-these-are-our-top/">Azerbaijan/u2019s hikes take you through rocky mountains and romantic villages. These are our top 5<\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2><strong>Traditional carpets and futuristic architecture<\/strong><\/h2><p>We also learn about the important carpet weaving tradition in Azerbaijan, which originated here 5000 years ago, and is undergoing large-scale development.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//94//03//26//808x454_cmsv2_bc72296b-c8db-52c0-8089-f040a2882c51-7940326.jpg/" alt=\"Cinzia Rizzi learns how to weave a carpet\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/384x216_cmsv2_bc72296b-c8db-52c0-8089-f040a2882c51-7940326.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/640x360_cmsv2_bc72296b-c8db-52c0-8089-f040a2882c51-7940326.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/750x422_cmsv2_bc72296b-c8db-52c0-8089-f040a2882c51-7940326.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/828x466_cmsv2_bc72296b-c8db-52c0-8089-f040a2882c51-7940326.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/1080x608_cmsv2_bc72296b-c8db-52c0-8089-f040a2882c51-7940326.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/1200x675_cmsv2_bc72296b-c8db-52c0-8089-f040a2882c51-7940326.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/1920x1080_cmsv2_bc72296b-c8db-52c0-8089-f040a2882c51-7940326.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Cinzia Rizzi learns how to weave a carpet<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In this episode, we also show you the modern side of Baku, with its iconic skyscrapers, amazing viewpoints and the breathtaking <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.zaha-hadid.com//architecture//heydar-aliyev-centre///">Heydar Aliyev Center<\/a>, an architectural masterpiece by the famous Zaha Hadid.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1696335529,"updatedAt":1709937058,"publishedAt":1699884000,"firstPublishedAt":1698946990,"lastPublishedAt":1709937058,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/28\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_1b309acc-0768-5b3d-bd9d-b591e520bc11-7940328.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","altText":"The Maiden Tower, the symbol of Baku","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"The Maiden Tower, the symbol of Baku","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_eeae7e41-9959-5ac8-b1a7-113ca8d71140-7940326.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","altText":"Cinzia Rizzi learns how to weave a carpet","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"Cinzia Rizzi learns how to weave a carpet","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/94\/03\/26\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_bc72296b-c8db-52c0-8089-f040a2882c51-7940326.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"urlSafeValue":"rizzi","twitter":"@cinziarizzi7","title":"Cinzia Rizzi"}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"tourism","titleRaw":"Tourism","id":4221,"title":"Tourism","slug":"tourism"},{"urlSafeValue":"travel","titleRaw":"Travel","id":12639,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"},{"urlSafeValue":"baku","titleRaw":"Baku","id":4329,"title":"Baku","slug":"baku"},{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"image"},{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2120576}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2022"},{"path":"sponsor"},{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijantourism2023"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"ACqRx3VW5Y0","dailymotionId":"x8pli8d"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":38465871,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/EO\/SU\/23\/11\/13\/en\/231113_EOSU_53320761_53320764_300000_124314_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":300000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":58507599,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/EO\/SU\/23\/11\/13\/en\/231113_EOSU_53320761_53320764_300000_124314_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"explore","urlSafeValue":"explore","title":"explore","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-series\/explore"},"vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","id":7,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel-series","id":"travel-series","title":"Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/travel-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":32,"urlSafeValue":"travel-series","title":"Series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1659347685,"endDate":2114333689,"type":"sponsored","slug":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022","title":"Azerbaijan tourism 2022","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Azerbaijan Tourism Board","sponsorName":"azerbaijan-tourism-2022","sponsorUrl":"https:\/\/azerbaijan.travel\/","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/522\/180x69_cmsv2_776cd692-95fb-5a75-90ac-6bb6f2df2805-522.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":{"id":4329,"urlSafeValue":"baku","title":"Baku"},"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_business','gs_busfin_indus_construction','gs_business_construction','gs_busfin','gs_busfin_indus','gs_travel','gs_travel_holidays','gs_travel_misc'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"EO-01-BAKU ANCIENT TO MODERN - MASTER","path":"\/travel\/2023\/11\/13\/what-to-see-in-baku-the-capital-where-ancient-and-modern-collide","lastModified":1709937058},{"id":2412614,"cid":8031248,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231110_TCSU_53799475","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Fairytale villages and moonlike landscapes: Azerbaijan is a must-see destination for outdoor lovers","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"This undiscovered travel gem has fairytale villages and fire temples","titleListing2":"This underrated tourist destination has some of the most stunning natural landscapes in Europe.","leadin":"It takes only 3 to 5 hours to drive across Azerbaijan, north to south. But the trip takes you across 11 different climate zones and just as many different, stunning landscapes.","summary":"It takes only 3 to 5 hours to drive across Azerbaijan, north to south. But the trip takes you across 11 different climate zones and just as many different, stunning landscapes.","keySentence":"","url":"fairytale-villages-and-moonlike-landscapes-azerbaijan-is-a-must-see-destination-for-outdoo","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2023\/11\/10\/fairytale-villages-and-moonlike-landscapes-azerbaijan-is-a-must-see-destination-for-outdoo","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Stretching from the border with Armenia in the east to the Caspian Sea in the west, Azerbaijan is a hidden travel gem still uncharted by tourist crowds. \n\nTens of flights leaving from Europe\u2019s capitals every week have put the futuristic capital of Baku on the map. But there\u2019s so much more to explore outside of the city - especially for adventure lovers. \n\nLike other countries in the region, Azerbaijan - also known as the Land of Fire - is surrounded by formidable, snow-capped mountains luring climbers and hikers towards their breathtaking heights. \n\nBut unlike some of its landlocked neighbours, Azerbaijan has also been blessed with a warm sea on the east and a diversity of unparalleled landscapes. \n\n\u201cIn the south, you have a subtropical climate and these fairytale villages with a permanent mist, moss-covered stones, waterfalls, small rivers, and lots of traditional homes,\u201d Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB), tells Euronews. \n\n\u201cThen you move through these semi-desert, moon-like landscapes with a lot of mud volcanoes. Halfway you have Baku and the Caspian Sea and then you go up the mountains, 4,000 feet (1220 metres) and more.\u201d \n\nWhere is the best for adventure in Azerbaijan?? \n\nOne of the best things about Azerbaijan is that visiting feels like a unique experience. \n\n\u201cVery few people have hiked or experienced the greater Caucasus, the Lesser Caucasus, the Talysh mountains,\u201d Sengstschmid says, listing the incredible mountain ranges of Azerbaijan. \n\nYou don\u2019t have to be an experienced climber to tackle these mountains, either. While some routes are only safe for experts, others are accessible to any level of experience and fitness. \n\nThere are all kinds of other adventurous activities to do in Azerbaijan too, from hiking to canyoning and even skiing in winter. \n\nWhile half of the country is occupied by mountains, there\u2019s more to Azerbaijan than its peaks. From highlands, plateaus, plains and lowlands to rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches and mud volcanoes scattered across the territory, a journey through the country is nature\u2019s rollercoaster. \n\n\u201cDepends on what you love, there\u2019s something for everyone,\u201d Sengstschmid says. \n\n\u201cThere are great spots for kitesurfing on the Caspian Sea, and if you\u2019re into hiking I\u2019d recommend you go visit some of the mountain villages, where locals speak a different language and have some very unique traditions.\u201d \n\nWhere to experience Azerbaijan\u2019s cultural history \n\nVisit Gobustan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to admire the 40,000-year-old history carved in the area\u2019s stones, with over 6,000 rock engravings. \n\nDon\u2019t miss a visit to Nakhchivan, an autonomous republic within Azerbaijan that is home to a mediaeval mountaintop fortress, Soviet apartment blocks and gold-dome mosques. Still widely unknown to many in the world, this is one of the most isolated outposts of the former Soviet Union and makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. \n\nYou can\u2019t leave Azerbaijan without a visit to its famous mud volcanoes and fire temples - the only traces of the country\u2019s Zoroastrian history - forever burning on top of natural gas fields. \n\nThe country is scattered with traces of its diverse history. \n\nTo the surprise of foreign visitors, Azerbaijan is home to the \u201coldest Jewish settlement outside of Israel,\u201d Sengstschmid says as well as, \u201cGerman heritage villages, the Polish architecture in Baku, and the industrial remains of the bridges the Siemens brothers built in the country when they were mining copper there.\u201d \n\nHow easy is it to travel across the country? \n\nAccording to Sengstschmid, travelling across Azerbaijan is \u201csuper easy\u201d. \n\n\u201cInfrastructure is great, roads are great,\u201d he says. While you can rent a car and drive yourself around, if you get a local driver \u201cGoogle Translate is super helpful if your driver doesn\u2019t speak English,\u201d Sengstschmid says, adding that this is quite a common way of communicating with tourists in Azerbaijan. \n\nWhile many prefer independence, getting a driver or a local guide through the country\u2019s mountains will help you discover hidden gems along the way - \u201cand it\u2019s very cheap,\u201d says Sengstschmid. \n\nWhat should you eat in Azerbaijan? \n\nAzerbaijan\u2019s cultural landscape is as rich as its natural one. \n\n\u201cFood is a second religion,\u201d Sengstschmid says, and the country\u2019s undisputed culinary king is plov , a saffron-infused rice dish which accompanies grilled kebabs, skewered meats and dolma. \n\nOther dishes to try are dushbara - Azerbaijani dumplings similar to tortellini; kuku, an onion omelette served with flatbread and plov; piti, the traditional soup; and lavangi, fish or chicken stuffed with walnuts, raisins, onions, sumac and much more, including pomegranate molasses. \n\nAzerbaijani wine, while not as famous worldwide as Georgia wine, is just as good. Despite the fact that the country has a Muslim majority, you\u2019re still able to buy a glass of wine in most places as Azerbaijan is \u201cmulticultural and secular,\u201d Sengstschmid says. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Stretching from the border with Armenia in the east to the Caspian Sea in the west, Azerbaijan is a hidden travel gem still uncharted by tourist crowds.<\/p>\n<p>Tens of flights leaving from Europe\u2019s capitals every week have put the futuristic capital of Baku on the map. But there\u2019s so much more to explore outside of the city - especially for adventure lovers.<\/p>\n<p>Like other countries in the region, Azerbaijan - also known as the Land of Fire - is surrounded by formidable, snow-capped mountains luring climbers and hikers towards their breathtaking heights.<\/p>\n<p>But unlike some of its landlocked neighbours, Azerbaijan has also been blessed with a warm sea on the east and a diversity of unparalleled landscapes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the south, you have a subtropical climate and these fairytale villages with a permanent mist, moss-covered stones, waterfalls, small rivers, and lots of traditional homes,\u201d Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB), tells Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen you move through these semi-desert, moon-like landscapes with a lot of mud volcanoes. Halfway you have Baku and the Caspian Sea and then you go up the mountains, 4,000 feet (1220 metres) and more.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Where is the best for adventure in Azerbaijan??<\/h2><p>One of the best things about Azerbaijan is that visiting feels like a unique experience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVery few people have hiked or experienced the greater Caucasus, the Lesser Caucasus, the Talysh mountains,\u201d Sengstschmid says, listing the incredible mountain ranges of Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n<p>You don\u2019t have to be an experienced climber to tackle these mountains, either. While some routes are only safe for experts, others are accessible to any level of experience and fitness.<\/p>\n<p>There are all kinds of other adventurous activities to do in Azerbaijan too, from hiking to canyoning and even skiing in winter.<\/p>\n<p>While half of the country is occupied by mountains, there\u2019s more to Azerbaijan than its peaks. From highlands, plateaus, plains and lowlands to rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches and mud volcanoes scattered across the territory, a journey through the country is nature\u2019s rollercoaster.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDepends on what you love, there\u2019s something for everyone,\u201d Sengstschmid says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are great spots for kitesurfing on the Caspian Sea, and if you\u2019re into hiking I\u2019d recommend you go visit some of the mountain villages, where locals speak a different language and have some very unique traditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//03//12//48//808x454_cmsv2_8294995b-d4fc-5ddc-a5fe-21c24fc07ed3-8031248.jpg/" alt=\"While the capital, Baku, attracts the most tourists, there's much more to see beyond the city.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/384x216_cmsv2_8294995b-d4fc-5ddc-a5fe-21c24fc07ed3-8031248.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/640x360_cmsv2_8294995b-d4fc-5ddc-a5fe-21c24fc07ed3-8031248.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/750x422_cmsv2_8294995b-d4fc-5ddc-a5fe-21c24fc07ed3-8031248.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/828x466_cmsv2_8294995b-d4fc-5ddc-a5fe-21c24fc07ed3-8031248.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/1080x608_cmsv2_8294995b-d4fc-5ddc-a5fe-21c24fc07ed3-8031248.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/1200x675_cmsv2_8294995b-d4fc-5ddc-a5fe-21c24fc07ed3-8031248.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/1920x1080_cmsv2_8294995b-d4fc-5ddc-a5fe-21c24fc07ed3-8031248.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">While the capital, Baku, attracts the most tourists, there's much more to see beyond the city.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Canva<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>Where to experience Azerbaijan\u2019s cultural history<\/h2><p>Visit Gobustan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to admire the 40,000-year-old history carved in the area\u2019s stones, with over 6,000 rock engravings.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t miss a visit to Nakhchivan, an autonomous republic within Azerbaijan that is home to a mediaeval mountaintop fortress, Soviet apartment blocks and gold-dome mosques. Still widely unknown to many in the world, this is one of the most isolated outposts of the former Soviet Union and makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.<\/p>\n<p>You can\u2019t leave Azerbaijan without a visit to its famous mud volcanoes and fire temples - the only traces of the country\u2019s Zoroastrian history - forever burning on top of natural gas fields.<\/p>\n<p>The country is scattered with traces of its diverse history.<\/p>\n<p>To the surprise of foreign visitors, Azerbaijan is home to the \u201coldest Jewish settlement outside of Israel,\u201d Sengstschmid says as well as, \u201cGerman heritage villages, the Polish architecture in Baku, and the industrial remains of the bridges the Siemens brothers built in the country when they were mining copper there.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//03//12//48//808x454_cmsv2_c7416120-a622-560d-a1d4-eb41ac17de98-8031248.jpg/" alt=\"Azerbaijan, 'the land of fire', is known for its fire temples, linked to the country's Zoroastrian history.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/384x216_cmsv2_c7416120-a622-560d-a1d4-eb41ac17de98-8031248.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/640x360_cmsv2_c7416120-a622-560d-a1d4-eb41ac17de98-8031248.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/750x422_cmsv2_c7416120-a622-560d-a1d4-eb41ac17de98-8031248.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/828x466_cmsv2_c7416120-a622-560d-a1d4-eb41ac17de98-8031248.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/1080x608_cmsv2_c7416120-a622-560d-a1d4-eb41ac17de98-8031248.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/1200x675_cmsv2_c7416120-a622-560d-a1d4-eb41ac17de98-8031248.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/1920x1080_cmsv2_c7416120-a622-560d-a1d4-eb41ac17de98-8031248.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Azerbaijan, 'the land of fire', is known for its fire temples, linked to the country's Zoroastrian history.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Canva<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>How easy is it to travel across the country?<\/h2><p>According to Sengstschmid, travelling across Azerbaijan is \u201csuper easy\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInfrastructure is great, roads are great,\u201d he says. While you can rent a car and drive yourself around, if you get a local driver \u201cGoogle Translate is super helpful if your driver doesn\u2019t speak English,\u201d Sengstschmid says, adding that this is quite a common way of communicating with tourists in Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n<p>While many prefer independence, getting a driver or a local guide through the country\u2019s mountains will help you discover hidden gems along the way - \u201cand it\u2019s very cheap,\u201d says Sengstschmid.<\/p>\n<h2>What should you eat in Azerbaijan?<\/h2><p>Azerbaijan\u2019s cultural landscape is as rich as its natural one.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFood is a second religion,\u201d Sengstschmid says, and the country\u2019s undisputed culinary king is plov , a saffron-infused rice dish which accompanies grilled kebabs, skewered meats and dolma.<\/p>\n<p>Other dishes to try are dushbara - Azerbaijani dumplings similar to tortellini; kuku, an onion omelette served with flatbread and plov; piti, the traditional soup; and lavangi, fish or chicken stuffed with walnuts, raisins, onions, sumac and much more, including pomegranate molasses.<\/p>\n<p>Azerbaijani wine, while not as famous worldwide as Georgia wine, is just as good. Despite the fact that the country has a Muslim majority, you\u2019re still able to buy a glass of wine in most places as Azerbaijan is \u201cmulticultural and secular,\u201d Sengstschmid says.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1699625409,"updatedAt":1699632044,"publishedAt":1699632009,"firstPublishedAt":1699626382,"lastPublishedAt":1699632044,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Canva","altText":"Azerbaijan's mountains are a hiker's heaven.","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"Azerbaijan's mountains are a hiker's heaven.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_bb76f2ca-eda0-5b3e-8eb0-c6fe2b1a9426-8031248.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Canva","altText":"Azerbaijan, 'the land of fire', is known for its fire temples, linked to the country's Zoroastrian history.","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"Azerbaijan, 'the land of fire', is known for its fire temples, linked to the country's Zoroastrian history.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c7416120-a622-560d-a1d4-eb41ac17de98-8031248.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Canva","altText":"While the capital, Baku, attracts the biggest part of the tourism to the country, there's much more to see beyond the city.","callToActionText":null,"width":1600,"caption":"While the capital, Baku, attracts the biggest part of the tourism to the country, there's much more to see beyond the city.","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/03\/12\/48\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8294995b-d4fc-5ddc-a5fe-21c24fc07ed3-8031248.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":900}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"},{"urlSafeValue":"travel","titleRaw":"Travel","id":12639,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"},{"urlSafeValue":"mountain","titleRaw":"Mountain","id":13344,"title":"Mountain","slug":"mountain"},{"urlSafeValue":"climbing","titleRaw":"Climbing","id":16826,"title":"Climbing","slug":"climbing"},{"urlSafeValue":"hiking","titleRaw":"hiking","id":24440,"title":"hiking","slug":"hiking"},{"urlSafeValue":"outdoor-destination","titleRaw":"Outdoor destination","id":20488,"title":"Outdoor destination","slug":"outdoor-destination"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"image"}],"related":[{"id":2399534},{"id":2399264}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews Travel","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"destinations","urlSafeValue":"destinations","title":"Destinations","online":0,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/destinations\/destinations"},"vertical":"travel","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"travel","id":7,"title":"Travel","slug":"travel"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":7,"slug":"travel","urlSafeValue":"travel","title":"Travel"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"destinations","id":"destinations","title":"Destinations","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/destinations"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":28,"urlSafeValue":"destinations","title":"Destinations"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','pos_equinor','pos_facebook','pos_pmi','pos_ukraine-russia','pos_ukrainecrisis','gs_science','gs_fooddrink','gs_science_geography','gs_food','gs_fooddrink_cooking','gs_food_misc','neg_mobkoi_castrol','gs_travel_holidays','progressivemedia','eap-gs-homerfaber-fs-30july19','gt_positive','gs_science_environ','neg_nespresso','client_easports_sporting_gaming'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"TRAVEL WTM AZERBAIJAN","path":"\/travel\/2023\/11\/10\/fairytale-villages-and-moonlike-landscapes-azerbaijan-is-a-must-see-destination-for-outdoo","lastModified":1699632044},{"id":2396930,"cid":7979566,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"231030_CUSU_53525509","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Baku Jazz Festival: Rhythm and art captivate Azerbaijan's capital","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Baku Jazz Festival: Rhythm and art captivate Azerbaijan's capital","titleListing2":"Baku Jazz Festival: Rhythm and art captivate Azerbaijan's capital","leadin":"Grammy winners and emerging artists came together for a unique celebration at the annual Baku International Jazz Festival.","summary":"Grammy winners and emerging artists came together for a unique celebration at the annual Baku International Jazz Festival.","keySentence":"","url":"baku-jazz-festival-rhythm-and-art-captivate-azerbaijans-capital","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2023\/10\/30\/baku-jazz-festival-rhythm-and-art-captivate-azerbaijans-capital","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The annual Baku International Jazz Festival was held in Azerbaijan's capital between 6-15 October. \n\nThe 18th edition of the Festival welcomed 19 musicians including Grammy Award winners. The festival program consisted of not only performances but also lectures, an awards ceremony, an exhibition and wine tasting.\u00a0 \n\nHeld since 2005, the festival has become one of the most popular events among Baku residents and visitors in the capital. \n\nArranged in five different venues, the events attracted a huge number of visitors. One of the most popular was the exhibition by artist Eldar Gurbanov.\u00a0 \n\nHe is one of the few artists in Azerbaijan whose works are made in the style of primitivism. Jazz Colours triggered a lot of discussions and drew the attention of many art lovers. \n\n\"This exhibition was inspired by jazz,\" Eldar Gurbanov told Cult . \"Because I do love it and have been listening to it since I was a child. I used to listen to Willis Conover after midnight. I united my old and new works and made this exhibition.\" \n\nAnother participant is the London-based Brazilian composer, arranger, singer and guitar player Mario Bakuna , whose band presented their album Brazilian Landscapes.\u00a0The album is dedicated to the Brazilian people and was inspired by Bakuna's travels around the country.\u00a0 \n\nThe musician has already played it in 16 European countries, and this year the Azerbaijani audience had a chance to enjoy Brazilian rhythms with all their harmonic richness. \n\n\"I really like the way I use the voice as an instrument,\" revealed Mario Bakuna. \"The mouth trumpet is something [which] connects me better with the phrases, and it is something, you know, very special.\" \n\n","htmlText":"<p>The annual <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.bakujazzfestival.com///">Baku International Jazz Festival<\/a> was held in Azerbaijan's capital between 6-15 October.<\/p>\n<p>The 18th edition of the Festival welcomed 19 musicians including Grammy Award winners. The festival program consisted of not only performances but also lectures, an awards ceremony, an exhibition and wine tasting.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Held since 2005, the festival has become one of the most popular events among Baku residents and visitors in the capital.<\/p>\n<p>Arranged in five different venues, the events attracted a huge number of visitors. One of the most popular was the exhibition by artist Eldar Gurbanov.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//97//95//66//808x454_cmsv2_77f2dbeb-f34c-5d4f-a374-0878493cedba-7979566.jpg/" alt=\"Eldar Gurbanov, Artist\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/384x216_cmsv2_77f2dbeb-f34c-5d4f-a374-0878493cedba-7979566.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/640x360_cmsv2_77f2dbeb-f34c-5d4f-a374-0878493cedba-7979566.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/750x422_cmsv2_77f2dbeb-f34c-5d4f-a374-0878493cedba-7979566.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/828x466_cmsv2_77f2dbeb-f34c-5d4f-a374-0878493cedba-7979566.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/1080x608_cmsv2_77f2dbeb-f34c-5d4f-a374-0878493cedba-7979566.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/1200x675_cmsv2_77f2dbeb-f34c-5d4f-a374-0878493cedba-7979566.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/1920x1080_cmsv2_77f2dbeb-f34c-5d4f-a374-0878493cedba-7979566.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Eldar Gurbanov, Artist<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>He is one of the few artists in Azerbaijan whose works are made in the style of primitivism. Jazz Colours triggered a lot of discussions and drew the attention of many art lovers.<\/p>\n<p>\"This exhibition was inspired by jazz,\" Eldar Gurbanov told <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//culture-series//cult/">Cult. \"Because I do love it and have been listening to it since I was a child. I used to listen to Willis Conover after midnight. I united my old and new works and made this exhibition.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-youtube-embed\nwidget--size-fullwidth\nwidget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"auto widget__ratio widget__ratio--16x9\">\n <iframe type=\"text\/html\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.youtube.com//embed//8Bf3ifUVCvM/" width=\"100%\" loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen seamless>\n <\/iframe>\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Another participant is the London-based Brazilian composer, arranger, singer and guitar player <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////twitter.com//mariobakuna/">Mario Bakuna<\/a>, whose band presented their album Brazilian Landscapes.\u00a0The album is dedicated to the Brazilian people and was inspired by Bakuna's travels around the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div\n data-stories-id=\"7943470,7798422\"\n data-event=\"widget_related\"\n class=\"widget widget--type-related widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <ul class=\"widget__related_list\"><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//10//12//uzeyir-hajibeyli-music-festival-bakus-four-day-celebration-of-classical-music/">Uzeyir Hajibeyli Music Festival: Baku's four-day celebration of classical music<\/a> <\/li><li class=\"widget__related_listItem\"> <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2023//08//28//the-13th-edition-of-azerbaijans-gabala-international-music-festival/">The 13th edition of Azerbaijan's Gabala International Music Festival <\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The musician has already played it in 16 European countries, and this year the Azerbaijani audience had a chance to enjoy Brazilian rhythms with all their harmonic richness.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//07//97//95//66//808x454_cmsv2_3873b7ea-cd94-517b-8927-9290bfe34092-7979566.jpg/" alt=\"Mario Bakuna, Composer, Arranger, Singer and Guitar player\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/384x216_cmsv2_3873b7ea-cd94-517b-8927-9290bfe34092-7979566.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/640x360_cmsv2_3873b7ea-cd94-517b-8927-9290bfe34092-7979566.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/750x422_cmsv2_3873b7ea-cd94-517b-8927-9290bfe34092-7979566.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/828x466_cmsv2_3873b7ea-cd94-517b-8927-9290bfe34092-7979566.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/1080x608_cmsv2_3873b7ea-cd94-517b-8927-9290bfe34092-7979566.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/1200x675_cmsv2_3873b7ea-cd94-517b-8927-9290bfe34092-7979566.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/1920x1080_cmsv2_3873b7ea-cd94-517b-8927-9290bfe34092-7979566.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Mario Bakuna, Composer, Arranger, Singer and Guitar player<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\"I really like the way I use the voice as an instrument,\" revealed Mario Bakuna. \"The mouth trumpet is something [which] connects me better with the phrases, and it is something, you know, very special.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1697722107,"updatedAt":1709918583,"publishedAt":1698679855,"firstPublishedAt":1698314446,"lastPublishedAt":1709918583,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"euronews","altText":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":null,"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/68\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_f91d181a-d659-5d5b-adb3-e612853e9d55-7979568.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","altText":"Mario Bakuna, Composer, Arranger, Singer and Guitar player","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"Mario Bakuna, Composer, Arranger, Singer and Guitar player","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_3873b7ea-cd94-517b-8927-9290bfe34092-7979566.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080},{"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","altText":"Eldar Gurbanov, Artist","callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"caption":"Eldar Gurbanov, Artist","url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/07\/97\/95\/66\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_77f2dbeb-f34c-5d4f-a374-0878493cedba-7979566.jpg","captionUrl":null,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"urlSafeValue":"music-festival","titleRaw":"Music festival","id":10843,"title":"Music festival","slug":"music-festival"},{"urlSafeValue":"jazz","titleRaw":"Jazz","id":7403,"title":"Jazz","slug":"jazz"},{"urlSafeValue":"baku","titleRaw":"Baku","id":4329,"title":"Baku","slug":"baku"},{"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","titleRaw":"Azerbaijan","id":15,"title":"Azerbaijan","slug":"azerbaijan"}],"widgets":[{"count":2,"slug":"image"},{"count":1,"slug":"youtube"},{"count":1,"slug":"related"}],"related":[{"id":2367906}],"technicalTags":[{"path":"sponsor.azerbaijancult2022"},{"path":"sponsor"}],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"wvfOo6zhg5I"},"video":1,"videos":[{"duration":180000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":22954693,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/CU\/SU\/23\/10\/30\/en\/231030_CUSU_53525509_53525512_180000_162601_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"md"},{"duration":180000,"editor":"","filesizeBytes":35228357,"format":"mp4","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/CU\/SU\/23\/10\/30\/en\/231030_CUSU_53525509_53525512_180000_162601_en.mp4","expiresAt":0,"quality":"hd"}],"liveStream":[{"endDate":0,"startDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"cult","urlSafeValue":"cult","title":"Cult","online":1,"url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-series\/cult"},"vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture","id":10,"title":"Culture","slug":"culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"urlSafeValue":"culture-series","id":"culture-series","title":"Culture Series","url":"\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":55,"urlSafeValue":"culture-series","title":"Culture series"},"advertising":1,"advertisingData":{"startDate":1690896514,"endDate":2114346519,"type":"sponsored","slug":"azerbaijan-ministry-of-tourism-2023","title":"Azerbaijan - Ministry of Tourism 2023","disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":"Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan","sponsorName":"azerbaijan-ministry-of-tourism-2023","sponsorUrl":"http:\/\/mct.gov.az\/en\/","sponsorLogo":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/680\/180x84_cmsv2_69372e79-602a-5604-abb7-8bed8f7bdf25-680.jpg","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":12,"urlSafeValue":"asia","title":"Asia"},"country":{"id":15,"urlSafeValue":"azerbaijan","title":"Azerbaijan","url":"\/news\/asia\/azerbaijan"},"town":[],"grapeshot":"'gv_safe','gb_safe','gb_safe_from_high','gb_safe_from_high_med','gs_entertain_music','gs_entertain','gs_entertain_mus','gs_entertain_mus_jazz'","versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"daletEventName":"CU-15-Baku jazz festival - MASTER","path":"\/culture\/2023\/10\/30\/baku-jazz-festival-rhythm-and-art-captivate-azerbaijans-capital","lastModified":1709918583}]"
data-api-url="/api/country/azerbaijan">
ADVERTISEMENT
