Amid the formation of new global realities, Azerbaijan’s economic growth continued during the first ten months of this year, with the non-oil and gas sector being the main driver. From January to October 2025, real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1.3%, while the non-oil and gas sector recorded growth of 3.1%.

According to AZERTAC, this was stated by the Governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), Taleh Kazimov, during the discussion of the draft law “On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026” at the Milli Majlis plenary session on November 19.

T. Kazimov noted that growth in the non-oil and gas sector was mainly observed in the information and communications, tourism, and construction sectors. “The Central Bank’s economic growth forecast is optimistic. GDP is projected to grow by 2.2% by the end of 2025 and by 2% by the end of 2026. As for non-oil and gas GDP, it is expected to reach 3.7% by the end of this year and 4.4% next year,” the Central Bank Governor added.

Azerbaijan’s GDP in 2025 is forecasted at around $74.17 billion, according to Trading Economics. Interestingly, the Ministry of Economy expects GDP growth of 3% in 2025, 2.9% in 2026, and 3.6% in 2027. Various international organizations, including S&P Global, Fitch Ratings, the IMF, and the World Bank, estimate Azerbaijan’s real GDP growth in 2025 to be between 2.5% and 3%. In January–September 2025, Azerbaijan’s GDP amounted to AZN 95.229 billion, up 1.3% compared to the same period last year.

The value of Azerbaijan’s annual non-oil and gas exports doubled between 2019 and 2024, reaching $3.4 billion, while the number of exported products increased by 15% to 2,810, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov said during the Milli Majlis plenary session, during the first reading of the draft law on the 2026 state budget.

According to him, despite declining oil and gas prices and production volumes, the country’s foreign trade turnover has remained stable at around $50 billion since 2022. “In 2022–2024, the foreign trade balance—excluding State Oil Fund gold and imports—recorded an average annual surplus of $16 billion. Non-oil and gas service exports rose by nearly 45%, surpassing $6.5 billion.”

“The share of non-oil and gas revenues increased from 40% in 2018 to 52% in the approved 2025 state budget. In the 2026 draft budget, this figure is projected at 57%,” he added.

In the 1990s, natural gas reserves were largely ignored and not regarded as a commercially viable energy resource. Today, however, a new energy carrier is emerging to replace underground gas—one that experts cautiously refer to as “humanity’s last fuel.” It forms naturally when underground water interacts with rock formations and is stored in the traps between them. This resource could potentially supply the planet with energy for thousands of years. It exists everywhere: on the ocean floor and even on other planets.

Recently, scientists have discovered massive deposits of natural hydrogen—also known as “white hydrogen” or “golden hydrogen”—in an old coal basin in Lorraine, France. As drilling progressed, the quantity of hydrogen increased with depth, reaching 950 meters. According to estimates, this area may contain one of the largest hydrogen deposits in Europe, and possibly the world, reports Eco Portal and Al Arabiya Business. Surprisingly, contrary to previous assumptions, this gas does not escape but remains trapped in natural reservoirs.

Natural hydrogen differs from “green hydrogen,” which is produced through complex industrial processes using renewable energy. In this case, there is no need for costly technologies or carbon emissions—simple drilling and extraction are sufficient, making it an economical and environmentally friendly option.

And this is not limited to France: similar discoveries have been made in Mali, Australia, Spain, and the United States, leading scientists to believe that the Earth has been producing hydrogen for millions of years, with these hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered.

Preliminary estimates suggest that global natural hydrogen reserves amount to trillions of cubic meters. Even more intriguing is the fact that this fuel may be self-replenishing, making it one of the few virtually inexhaustible energy sources.

If this hypothesis is confirmed, natural hydrogen could become the cheapest and most sustainable fuel, paving the way for a global energy revolution that reduces emissions and transforms the economy.

According to scientists, a clean, accessible, and inexpensive energy source could become the key to realizing humanity’s long-held dream of fully moving away from fossil fuels.

Стоимость годового ненефтегазового экспорта Азербайджана за 2019-2024 годы увеличилась в два раза, до $3,4 млрд, а число экспортируемых товаров выросло на 15% и достигло 2 810, об этом заявил министр экономики Микаил Джаббаров на пленарном заседании Милли Меджлиса во время обсуждения в первом чтении законопроекта "О государственном бюджете на 2026 год".

По его словам, несмотря на снижение цен на нефть и газ и объемов добычи, с 2022 года внешнеторговый оборот страны стабилизировался на уровне примерно $50 млрд: "В 2022-2024 годах во внешнеторговом балансе, исключая золото Государственного нефтяного фонда и импорт, в среднем ежегодно наблюдалось положительное сальдо в размере $16 млрд. Экспорт ненефтегазовых услуг увеличился почти на 45% и превысил $6,5 млрд".

"Доля ненефтегазовых доходов выросла с 40% в 2018 году до 52% в утвержденном государственном бюджете на 2025 год. В проекте бюджета на 2026 год этот показатель предусмотрен на уровне 57%", - сказал он.

В условиях формирования новых глобальных реалий рост экономики страны продолжился в первые 10 месяцев текущего года. Основным источником экономического роста в этот период стал ненефтегазовый сектор. В январе-октябре 2025 года наблюдался рост реального валового внутреннего продукта на 1,3%. В частности, в ненефтегазовом секторе зафиксирован рост на 3,1%.

Как сообщает АЗЕРТАДЖ , об этом заявил председатель Центрального банка Азербайджана (ЦБА) Талех Кязымов в ходе обсуждения проекта закона «О Государственном бюджете Азербайджанской Республики на 2026 год» на пленарном заседании Милли Меджлиса 19 ноября.

Т. Казымов сообщил, что рост в ненефтегазовом секторе в основном наблюдался в сферах информации и связи, туризма и строительства. «Прогноз Центрального банка по экономическому росту оптимистичен. Прогнозируется, что рост валового внутреннего продукта составит 2,2% к концу 2025 года и 2% к концу 2026 года. Что касается ненефтегазового валового внутреннего продукта, прогнозируется, что он составит 3,7% к концу текущего года и 4,4% в следующем году», — добавил председатель Центрального банка.

ВВП Азербайджана в 2025 году по прогнозам составит около $74,17 млрд долларов США, согласно данным Trading Economics.  Интересно, что согласно прогнозу министерства экономики Азербайджана рост ВВП ожидается на уровне 3% в 2025 году, 2,9% в 2026 году и 3,6% в 2027 году. А различные международные организации такие, как S&P Global, Fitch Ratings, МВФ и Всемирный банк оценивают реальный рост ВВП Азербайджана в 2025 году в диапазоне от 2,5 до 3% .  В январе-сентябре 2025 года ВВП Азербайджана составил $95 млрд 229,2 млн манатов, что на 1,3% больше, чем за аналогичный период предыдущего года.

The 20th G20 Summit will take place from 21 to 23 November in Johannesburg, South Africa. China supports South Africa’s role as G20 chair and is ready to work with all parties to achieve consensus at the upcoming summit on issues such as commitment to multilateralism, building an open global economy, and promoting development cooperation, with a focus on the summit theme: “Unity, Equity, Sustainability.”

The G20 Summit will be held on the African continent for the first time, marking a historic milestone, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China reported last Thursday.

Заседание Совета глав правительств государств, участвующих в Шанхайской организации сотрудничества (ШОС), пройдет в Москве 17-18 ноября под председательством премьер-министра Михаила Мишустина. Об этом сообщает пресс-служба правительства РФ.На предстоящем заседании Совета глав правительств государств-членов ШОС Ли Цян проведет углубленный обмен мнениями со всеми сторонами по вопросам воплощения в жизнь итогов прошедшего саммита ШОС, укрепления сплоченности и взаимодействия внутри организации, углубления регионального экономического и культурно-гуманитарного сотрудничества, сообщил официальный представитель МИД КНР Линь Цзянь  на регулярном брифинге для журналистов .

A session of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states is taking place in Moscow on 17–18 November under the chairmanship of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the Russian government press service reported.

At the upcoming session, Chinese Premier Li Qiang will engage in in-depth discussions with all parties on implementing the outcomes of the recent SCO summit, strengthening cohesion and coordination within the organization, and deepening regional economic as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing.

The law provides for the development of regulatory acts, standard-setting, risk monitoring, and the protection of user rights. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the artificial intelligence law, the Akorda press service reported.

For the first time, the document establishes new legal concepts, including artificial intelligence, model, system, data library, and synthetic result. The essence of the law lies in creating a legal and organizational framework for the use of AI.

According to data released by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, China’s budget revenues for the first ten months of 2025 grew by 0.8% year-on-year, reaching nearly 18.65 trillion yuan (approximately $2.63 trillion USD).

During this period, the central government collected about 8.19 trillion yuan in tax revenues, down 0.8% compared to the same period last year, while local governments collected 10.46 trillion yuan, an increase of 2.1%.

China’s total tax revenues for the first ten months reached 15.34 trillion yuan, up 1.7% year-on-year. However, non-tax revenues declined by 3.1% to 3.31 trillion yuan over the same period, according to Xinhua.

Budget expenditures in China for the first ten months of 2025 rose by 2% year-on-year to 22.58 trillion yuan. Central government spending increased by 6.3%, while local government spending rose by 1.2%.

Education expenditures reached approximately 3.41 trillion yuan, up 4.7% year-on-year. Total spending on science and technology amounted to 784.7 billion yuan, an increase of 5.7%. Social security and employment expenditures for the period reached 3.77 trillion yuan, rising 9.3%. The national budget deficit stood at $555 billion. Overall spending in China grew 2% over ten months, despite a reduction in agricultural support.

Despite modest budget revenue growth and Moody’s 2024 forecast of 4.2% economic growth, official data show that China’s economy exceeded expectations in the first three quarters of 2025, expanding by 5.2%. This reflects investor optimism and indicates that China is on track to meet its annual growth target of “around 5%,” according to official figures.