Azerbaijan offers an example for the world. Our country, having fully ensured its political and economic independence, is rapidly rising from regional leadership to the global arena. Its initiatives and proposals are accepted, and special importance is attached to establishing cooperation with it. The global leadership of President Ilham Aliyev further strengthens our country’s position in the international arena. As a result, Baku has become a center for international events. The gathering of world leaders in our capital is not a new phenomenon. The discussion of current global agenda issues in Baku and the taking of principled steps towards their resolution speak of the growing power of our state. Today, Baku is once again at the center of the world’s attention. This time, our capital is hosting the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
First of all, let’s start with the fact that the gathering of world leaders in Baku once again brought to the forefront our country’s role in global dialogue and cooperation processes. This meeting is an indicator of the trust our country has gained in the field of international cooperation. But why Azerbaijan specifically? The answer to the question is simple. Because the gathering of heads of state representing various regions of the world in Baku is a demonstration of our country’s growing political weight, international prestige, and cooperation opportunities! The leadership of President Ilham Aliyev is the main and primary factor conditioning our country’s active participation in international processes and the acceptance of its initiatives and proposals.
Secondly, President Ilham Aliyev elaborated in detail on the significance of holding this prestigious CICA event in our country at the summit. The head of state assessed the unanimous support of all member states for Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the organization in 2024 as an expression of respect and trust shown to our country. This is an indicator of the trust shown to the position our country holds in the system of international relations, its contribution to the development of cooperation between Asia and Europe, and its growing role as a unifying center in the Eurasian space. In his speech, President Ilham Aliyev clearly outlined the role of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in political, economic, transport, energy, and humanitarian fields in strengthening regional security.
Thirdly, in the modern era, where hybrid threats and conflicts are widespread, international organizations, especially highly influential bodies like the UN, face serious difficulties in restoring justice. President Ilham Aliyev, touching upon Armenia’s military aggression against our country, drew the attention of the international community to historical facts and double standards in the application of international law. The events faced by Azerbaijan showed that the adoption of international documents is not enough to solve the problem. The main issue is to ensure the implementation of these documents, to achieve compliance with the requirements of international law, and to approach the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states with the same legal principles.
Fourthly, Azerbaijan’s two-year chairmanship of CICA was marked by the institutional development of the organization and the expansion of cooperation among member states. Our country paid special attention to the development of joint activities in the fields of transport, connectivity, digitalization, environmental protection, tourism, education, and science. Initiatives implemented with the support of member states strengthened CICA’s capabilities and expanded the organization’s membership geography. The unanimous support for the extension of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship for another two years was an expression of the trust shown in our country’s activities within the organization. Our country has always approached the responsibilities it has undertaken with sensitivity, earning the trust of member states with its honesty and adherence to the principles of justice. The unanimous decision on the extension of the chairmanship is also an indicator of this trust and the appreciation of Azerbaijan’s activities.
Finally, Azerbaijan, as a part of Europe and an important country in the energy, economic, and political life of the “old continent,” contributes to the strengthening of relations, expansion of cooperation, development, and progress among Asian countries during its chairmanship of CICA. This also means that we should all be proud of today’s Azerbaijan. Our country, led by President Ilham Aliyev, acts as an influential partner that has its say in international relations and expands cooperation with various states. Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of CICA is also remembered for the development of cooperation in the Eurasian space. As our country grows stronger and its voice is heard in the international arena, we more clearly see the greatness of the strategic foresight in the brilliant ideas of the great leader Heydar Aliyev. At the end of the century, the great leader declared to the internal and external enemies of our country: “Do you think Azerbaijan will always remain weak like this? You will see an Azerbaijan whose voice and word are heard in the international arena.” Today, we are living the reality of those ideas. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the President of the state built by the national leader, Azerbaijan contributes to the solution of global problems as a chairman in influential international organizations. This is what greatness and power are!
Rəşad Mahmudov,
Member of the YAP Board,
Member of Parliament