AGP Executive Report

Champions League Return: Manchester United kick off their 2026/27 European campaign at Old Trafford tonight against Azerbaijan’s Sabah FK, with kick-off set for 8pm BST and tickets still available via secondary sellers; the match is also part of a wider Thursday slate after UEFA spread the opening week across three days. COP31 Buildings Target: Azerbaijan-linked climate diplomacy continues as COP31 Presidency proposals at Baku Climate Action Week push for a global goal to cut buildings’ energy intensity by at least 20% by 2035 versus 2025, alongside a “35 by 2035” electrification push. State Budget Rules: President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree tightening how targeted extra-budgetary funds can be used, setting upper limits on salary supplements and redirecting remaining funds to the state budget. Mine Safety Update: An ANAMA employee was injured in a landmine explosion during demining in Khojaly’s Dashkend area; his condition is reported as satisfactory and an investigation is underway. Energy & Economy: Azeri Light crude jumped above $113 per barrel at Italy’s Augusta port, while new data put Azerbaijan’s salaried workforce at 1.781 million as of Aug 1, 2026. Regional Connectivity: Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan move to revive Caspian passenger ferry service on the Kuryk–Baku–Kuryk route to boost tourism and Middle Corridor links.

Gold Mining: AzerGold says it has completed its first drilling and blasting at the Soyudlu (Zod) deposit in Kalbajar, Azerbaijan’s biggest gold find in the Caucasus, with work reaching 18,000 meters and estimated recoverable reserves of 1.03 million ounces. Armenia Talks: Azerbaijan and Armenia confirm an agreement to hold a meeting between foreign ministers; Jeyhun Bayramov links discussions to Armenia’s constitutional process and border delimitation work from north to south. Climate Week & Finance: At Baku Climate Action Week, Azerbaijan’s climate envoy Mukhtar Babayev urged banks to make climate finance a core business, while UNECE officials highlighted turning the Middle Corridor into a “green corridor” with climate-ready port and logistics design. Middle Corridor Trade: Azerbaijan Railways and Chinese partners discussed expanding Middle Corridor freight and digitalising port-rail operations, including the Lianyungang–Baku route. Caspian Sea Pressure: UNFCCC events spotlight the Caspian Sea’s long decline and its knock-on effects for navigation and shipping. Customs Change: Azerbaijan raised import customs duties on alcohol (cognac, whisky, rum, gin, vodka, spirits and wine) until 2030. Sports (Local Interest): Manchester United host Sabah FK of Azerbaijan in the Champions League at Old Trafford, with Carrick managing injuries and Rashford returning to training.

Climate Diplomacy in Baku: Azerbaijan’s 4th UN Climate Week opened with calls to turn COP31 pledges into real implementation, as officials stressed that the climate crisis can’t be solved by one country and that financing is the key gap. Caspian Connectivity: Baku Port says preventive seabed dredging in the Caspian Sea is set to start by year-end, while Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan move to resume passenger ferries on the Kuryk–Baku route to boost Middle Corridor tourism and links. Economy & Energy Signals: Azerbaijan reports strategic foreign exchange reserves near $91bn, GDP growth of 1.2% in eight months, and Azeri Light crude up to $108.18/bbl. Regional Transport Plans: At a CICA forum, officials discussed how to improve Middle Corridor freight flows, including the idea of a single transit operator and shared digital customs platforms. Legal & Humanitarian: A Baku court sentenced Jahid Kamal Isayev to 8 years 6 months in an anti-state calls case, while Armenian prisoner-related humanitarian talks continue via letters and planned visits. Sports: Sabah FC’s Champions League qualifier brings Azerbaijan to Old Trafford as the tournament resumes.

Digital & Green Tech: Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov met Huawei SVP Philip Gan to discuss expanding cooperation in digital solutions, investment, tech transfer, human capital and setting up local R&D centres. Urban Climate Action: Baku Climate Action Week heard plans to grow public green spaces to about 2,500 hectares by 2040, including 1,000 hectares of new areas, plus interconnected “green” corridors and new building energy-efficiency standards. Peace & Regional Stability: Deputy FM Elnur Mammadov met US Chargé d’Affaires David Allen (in Armenia) and Amy Carlon (in Azerbaijan) to review steps toward long-term peace with Armenia and progress on TRIPP and the TRIPP Development Corporation. Energy & Partnerships: Azerbaijan and Algeria advanced preparations for a first Joint Commission meeting in 2027, with cooperation spanning hydrocarbons, petrochemicals, electricity and renewables. Transport & Trade Corridors: Azerbaijan and China highlighted further cooperation under the Belt and Road and the Middle Corridor, including the Zangezur Corridor’s role in boosting transit capacity. Aviation: AZAL will resume direct Baku–Jeddah flights from Sept. 15, four times weekly. Education & Skills: PISA 2025 results for Baku show Azerbaijan’s second-largest overall improvement globally across math, science and reading. Sports: Champions League returns with Sabah (Azerbaijan) set to face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Oil Markets: Azerbaijan’s Azeri Light crude jumped $3.11 (2.98%) to $107.31 per barrel, with Brent November futures settling at $106.51, while the FOB price at Türkiye’s Ceyhan rose to $104.23. Climate & Water Security: At Baku Climate Action Week, former World Bank VP Ismail Serageldin urged a regional sustainability plan as Caspian Sea water levels keep falling, warning that both water quantity and quality affect agriculture, food security, and coastal communities. Energy Transition: Azerbaijan’s wind power output surged in the first half of 2026, and officials say wind could grow about sixfold by year-end, with solar also set to rise. Transport & Trade: Baku hosted the Black and Caspian Freight Forum 2026, with speakers pushing a more unified, predictable regional logistics network and highlighting the Middle Corridor’s growing role. Culture: Baku’s Musical Theatre will stage “Following My Mentor’s Path” on Sept. 10 to honor People’s Artist Mobil Ahmadov. Sports (Azerbaijan in Europe): Sabah FK, Azerbaijan’s Champions League debutants, are among the teams highlighted in early league-phase previews. Road Safety: Two died and four were injured in a crash in Hajiqabul on the Baku-Gazakh highway.

Energy & Climate Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s Baku Climate Action Week 2026 pushed cross-border green power trade, with a panel on cross-border renewable energy certificates and carbon markets as a way to unlock climate finance. Renewables Planning: The energy regulator says a new approach to energy storage could be ready by end of September, while demand growth in the system is becoming a “serious issue” driven by new factors. Power Support for Ukraine: Azerbaijan delivered over 36 tons of electrical equipment to Ukraine’s Kyiv region to speed repairs at energy infrastructure. Human Rights: Independent human rights activist Anar Mammadli was sentenced to 13 years in prison, with Abdullayev getting 12 years, drawing renewed calls for his release. Sports & Culture: Azerbaijan also hosted major international events, including World Aquatics’ Silk Road Tour stop in Baku and a historic UWW Under-17 beach wrestling result for Naoise McManus. Aviation: AZAL will restart Baku–Astrakhan flights from Sept. 30, three times weekly.

UN Climate Week in Baku: The UNFCCC’s Climate Week 4 has kicked off in Azerbaijan’s capital, running until Sept. 11, with sessions on energy transition, climate finance and industrial decarbonization ahead of COP31. Power & grid updates: Azerishiq scheduled electricity outages in parts of Baku (Yasamal), plus Goychay and Yevlakh for repair works to improve supply quality. Energy transition push: Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov says wind generation could nearly sextuple and solar output rise by over 26% by year-end, stressing a paced transition with grids, storage and interconnections. Azerbaijan-Iran talks: Deputy PM Shahin Mustafayev and Iran’s roads minister reviewed progress on transport and transit projects, including the Aghband–Kalaleh bridge and work at the Astara cargo terminal. Sports wins: Azerbaijani judokas added medals at the European Junior Judo Championships, bringing the team total to five. Cultural heritage alarm: Reports say Shushi’s historic Old Armenian-Russian cemetery and medieval khachkars were destroyed, with new construction allegedly blocking visibility of the Ghazanchetsots church area.

Azerbaijan Defense & Industry: President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Azerbaijani Navy and reviewed practical testing of joint Azerbaijani-Turkish unmanned surface vessels, including SALVO and KAYRA, produced at a facility run by MIRAS and Turkey’s DEARSAN—signaling a shift toward local drone output. Parliament & Diplomacy: Milli Majlis Speaker Sahiba Gafarova led a working delegation to the United States for meetings as part of Azerbaijan’s parliamentary diplomacy. Regional Security: Azerbaijan-Iran cooperation is back on the agenda, with talks flagged on transit, energy and border coordination. Trade & Food Exports: Azerbaijan exported $172 million worth of tomatoes in seven months, underlining continued agri-exports momentum. Culture Abroad: Azerbaijan showcased its culture at a national minorities festival in Sokolov, Czech Republic, featuring Azerbaijani music, dances and cuisine. Sports: At the VI World Nomad Games, Azerbaijani wrestling saw Kyrgyz athlete Aibek Kasmanbetov win bronze, while local sports events and international competitions continue to draw attention.

Azerbaijan-Ukraine Energy Aid: Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy says it received three batches of high-voltage cables from Azerbaijan over two weeks, totaling 36.55 tonnes for repairs in Kyiv region. Aghdam Mine Safety: A tractor hit a mine in Sarijali village, Aghdam district; the driver was injured and an investigation is underway, with authorities urging strict mine-safety compliance. Armenia Fuel Deliveries: Azerbaijan continues sending diesel shipments to Armenia, with social media debate highlighting the political and price impact of the imports. Regional Energy Security: Europe’s gas squeeze is boosting Azerbaijan’s role in energy security as supply tensions rise. Baku Sports & Events: Baku hosted the first IRONMAN 70.3 edition, with 1,500 athletes from 62 countries competing. International Diplomacy: AIR Center chairman Farid Shafiyev criticized The Guardian’s portrayal of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict as one-sided, citing missing context on occupation and displacement. Travel & Mobility: Thailand will cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days from Sept. 15, while keeping a short visa-free tier for some countries including Azerbaijan for visa-on-arrival rules.

Azerbaijan-Armenia Trade & Energy: Azerbaijan sent another 977-ton diesel shipment to Armenia on Sept. 5, moving 16 railway wagons from Bilajari toward Boyuk Kasik, as part of ongoing petroleum-product deliveries and related transit cargo. Diplomacy & Peace Process: Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan said he has a clear popular mandate to establish peace with Azerbaijan, while the Wall Street Journal reported U.S. “chip diplomacy” helped broker a preliminary deal, including Nvidia-related semiconductor and AI cooperation. International Engagement: President Ilham Aliyev met the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, discussing reconstruction, humanitarian demining, and environmental challenges, and also met OSCE Parliamentary Assembly leaders focused on the peace process and mine action. Humanitarian Mine Action: Azerbaijan hosted the 4th International Mine Action Conference in Baku, with demining and safe urban recovery highlighted as priorities. Sports in Baku: The first IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in Baku crowned Croatian Matej Jukić as winner, with top finishers qualifying for the 2027 World Championships. Weather: Baku is expected to reach around 32°C on Sept. 6, with regional temperatures up to 35°C and possible thunderstorms and hail in some areas.

Fuel & Transit to Armenia: Azerbaijan is sending another 977 tons of diesel in 16 railcars from Bilajari toward Boyuk Kesik, while Russia-bound cargo will also move through Azerbaijan—355 tons of wheat, 180 tons of fertilizer, and 138 tons of timber. Energy & Markets: Azeri Light crude slipped to $104.20 per barrel in Augusta. Climate Diplomacy: Baku will host UN Climate Week (Sept 7-11) and Baku Climate Action Week at the Baku Convention Center ahead of COP31. Tech & Security: OpenAI launched a $1bn cybersecurity program (“Daybreak for Frontline Defenders”) to protect essential government services from AI-assisted attacks. Sports & Culture: “Sabah” became the youngest club to reach the UEFA Champions League league stage; Azerbaijan’s Ravan Musaev won silver at the 6th World Nomad Games in Bishkek. International Politics: A WSJ report says US negotiators linked expanded access to NVIDIA chips for Armenia’s Firebird AI project to the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks. Road Safety: A deadly crash in Nakhchivan’s Shahbuz district killed 3 and injured 9.

Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s FM Jeyhun Bayramov congratulated Kazakhstan’s new foreign minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi and discussed expanding strategic cooperation and coordination in regional and international formats. Africa Peace Agenda: Cameroon’s PM Dion Ngute, in Angola at the 21st Extraordinary AU session, pushed dialogue and early-warning mechanisms to tackle conflicts in Sudan, the Sahel and the DRC, with a focus on sustainable funding for African-led peace operations. Human Rights & Detention: Armenian rights advocate Siranush Sahakyan renewed claims that the lives of Armenians held in Baku are at risk, alleging coercion and poor medical conditions; the ECHR also requested data on opposition leader Ali Kerimli’s health and detention conditions. Energy Support: Ukraine received 36.55 tons of high-voltage cables from Azerbaijan to repair the power grid in the Kyiv region. Transport & Commemoration: Baku Metro will open a new station named “September 20,” marking restored sovereignty on that date. Public Life: Baku Metro recorded 13+ million passenger trips in August, with digital payments making up 53.5% of paid rides. Sports: Azerbaijan named 17 U15 boxers for the European Championships in Türkiye.

EU-Azerbaijan Talks: EU Delegation head Marijana Kujundžić says work on the new EU-Azerbaijan “Partnership Priorities” framework is completed and a new bilateral agreement is being negotiated, covering clean energy, trade, diversification and people-to-people links. Peace Process Scrutiny: Analysts and officials in Baku stressed vigilance against forces inside and outside the EU that could slow Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization, as US envoys also frame the peace deal as a new model for the region. Media Pushback on Karabakh: Azerbaijani human rights advocates have written to The Guardian over what they call distortions in its “Black Garden” documentary coverage, urging the outlet to include displaced Azerbaijanis and Khojaly victims. Energy & Industry: SOCAR and Lummus are drafting a roadmap to expand Azerbaijan’s oil refining and petrochemical capacity, while S&P says SOCAR’s $1.65bn Comstock investment could support Comstock’s credit profile. Oil Prices: Azeri Light rose to $104.98/bbl (CIF). Local Life & Events: Baku will introduce staged traffic restrictions for the IRONMAN 70.3 race on Sept 4-5, and Shamakhi’s Grape and Wine Festival is set for Sept 19-20. Hospitality Deal: PASHA Real Estate Group and Marriott signed plans for new Ritz-Carlton and Le Méridien properties across Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Gold Reserves Watch: Central banks added 23 net tonnes of gold in July, with China (20t) and Poland (8t) leading purchases, while Russia was the top net seller (6t), according to the World Gold Council. Energy & Industry: Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and Serbia’s EPS and Srbijagas have agreed on a joint venture to build a new gas-fired power plant in Nis (up to 500 MW), with signing expected in Belgrade next month. Diplomacy & Parliament: Milli Majlis Speaker Sahiba Gafarova met OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons Sampietro in Azerbaijan and later discussed parliamentary diplomacy and the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network during a working visit to Switzerland. Mine Action in Focus: The 4th International Mine Action Conference wrapped up in Baku, with officials stressing humanitarian demining as “peacebuilding” and calling for stronger international support. Public Information Row: Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency accused Poland-based Nexta of spreading misleading claims about a Goranboy fire as part of a hybrid disinformation campaign. Sports & Events: IRONMAN 70.3 Baku kicked off with village activities ahead of the Sept. 5 race, featuring athletes from 62 countries.

Mine Action & Peacebuilding: Azerbaijan urged stronger international support for humanitarian demining, saying mines still block safe returns and normalization, and that “peace cannot be built on unsafe ground,” as the 4th International Mine Action Conference opened in Baku with President Ilham Aliyev stressing large-scale clearance and mine incident tolls. Energy & Finance: The government signed a $1bn loan deal with the Islamic Development Bank for expansion of Bangladesh’s Eastern Refinery, while Azerbaijan’s Azeri Light crude price jumped above $100 per barrel to about $101.96. Diplomacy & Security: President Ilham Aliyev met OSCE Parliamentary Assembly head Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, reiterating that the OSCE Minsk Group failed to deliver results and that Azerbaijan ended the conflict by restoring territorial integrity. Sports: Azerbaijan’s national team match vs Lithuania was moved from Ganja to Baku, and Azerbaijani judokas learned their first opponents for the European Junior Championships. Humanitarian/Legal: An Azerbaijani student in Melbourne said part of her tuition funding has not been transferred for months, warning of possible sanctions if payment isn’t made.

Armenia-Azerbaijan Politics: Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan unveiled a new “Fourth Republic” constitution push, framing it as a domestic shift toward peace—while Baku has long said constitutional change is a precondition for a final peace treaty. Azerbaijan Security: Azerbaijan evacuated 5,000 people after a fire and explosions at an ammunition depot near Nizami village in Goranboy; no casualties were reported. Energy & Finance: SOCAR is set for its first US upstream move via a $1.65bn Comstock deal tied to Haynesville Shale assets. Green Power: ABB Bank backs multiple renewable projects in Azerbaijan, including solar and wind schemes aimed at expanding clean capacity by 2032. Humanitarian Demining: Azerbaijan’s 4th International Mine Action Conference in Baku focused on making cleared land a basis for safe urban recovery and resettlement. Diplomacy: Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan held consular consultations in Ashgabat, agreeing to simplify visa regimes and meet again in Baku next year. Sports & Culture: Baku’s Sabah reached the Champions League main stage, setting up matches against Europe’s top clubs.