The year 2008 in the Republic of Azerbaijan was marked by a series of political, cultural, and sporting events. The incumbent leadership comprised President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, and Speaker of the National Assembly Ogtay Asadov.
Political events
- 15 October – The presidential election was held, resulting in the re‑election of President Ilham Aliyev. International observers and local media reported a high voter turnout, though opposition groups raised concerns about electoral fairness.
Cultural and sporting events
- 12 April – Baku hosted the first qualifying tournament for women’s field hockey for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
- 24 May – Azerbaijani singers Elnur Hüseynov and Samir Javadzadeh represented the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, finishing in eighth place.
- 26 June – The Azerbaijani Armed Forces celebrated their 90th anniversary.
- 9 August – The 17th season of the Azerbaijan Premier League (football) began.
- 17 September – The preliminary round of the Azerbaijan Cup 2008–09 commenced.
- 8 – 24 August – Azerbaijan participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, winning 14 gold medals and ranking sixth on the overall medal table.
Notable deaths
- 5 March – Astronomer Hajibey Sultanov (b. 1921) passed away.
- 25 October – Renowned singer Muslim Magomayev (b. 1942) died, prompting widespread national mourning.
These events reflect Azerbaijan’s ongoing engagement in international sport, its domestic political processes, and cultural contributions during 2008. References include contemporaneous news reports from the BBC and regional outlets.