EN
AZ
The modern system of international relations is undergoing a profound transformation. Amid the shifting global balance of power, the weakening of international institutions, and the rise of regional conflicts, ensuring peace has become one of the most complex challenges. In this context, approaches based on the real experiences of states are of particular importance. The speech delivered by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, at the 13th Global Baku Forum on March 12, 2026, under the theme “Bridging Divides in a Fragmented World,” brought Azerbaijan’s model of conflict resolution and peacebuilding to the center of international discussion.
Azerbaijan’s experience is unique and multifaceted in terms of post-conflict peacebuilding. For nearly 30 years, 20 percent of the country’s territory was under occupation, and more than one million Azerbaijanis were subjected to ethnic cleansing and forcibly displaced from their homes. Despite the gross violation of fundamental principles of international law during this period, the international community failed to demonstrate an effective response. In particular, the non-implementation of the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council, which demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijani territories, revealed the selective and weak functioning of international mechanisms.
One of the key points emphasized in President Ilham Aliyev’s speech is that peace cannot be achieved through diplomatic declarations alone, but requires real political will and mechanisms based on justice. Years of fruitless negotiations demonstrated that international mediation institutions may sometimes be more interested in freezing conflicts than resolving them. In this regard, the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group have been characterized by Azerbaijan as an unsuccessful and even detrimental example. The 28-year activity of the co-chairs maintained the conflict in a state of managed instability rather than resolving it.
The 44-day Patriotic War in 2020 symbolized Azerbaijan’s transition from a phase of strategic patience to a phase of decisive action. According to the President’s thesis, if international law and historical justice are on the side of a state, but all peaceful means have been exhausted, the use of force may become a legitimate and necessary instrument. As a result of this war, Azerbaijan restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity, creating a rare precedent in the history of modern international relations: the country ended the occupation through its own strength and subsequently transferred the peace process to the political plane.
Another important aspect highlighted in the speech is the model of bilateral negotiations. President Ilham Aliyev clearly stated that Azerbaijan chose to abandon “so-called mediation” and preferred to conduct negotiations with Armenia without third-party involvement. This approach ultimately made the achievement of peace more realistic and attainable. This demonstrates that in some cases, direct dialogue can be more effective than complex diplomatic mechanisms created by intermediaries.
Azerbaijan’s experience shows that peace is not only the product of compromise but also of principled positions. Principles such as territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the supremacy of international law are not subjects of negotiation but constitute the foundation of peace. In this regard, the President’s speech at the Forum serves as an important political message to the global audience: preserving an unjust status quo does not lead to long-term peace; on the contrary, it lays the groundwork for new conflicts.
In conclusion, Azerbaijan’s path from occupation to peace offers important lessons for a world in transition. This model demonstrates that the use of force grounded in international law, followed by political dialogue, is not contradictory; rather, when applied in the correct sequence, it contributes to the establishment of sustainable peace. President Ilham Aliyev’s address at the 13th Global Baku Forum can be regarded as a conceptual articulation of this reality.
Azerbaijan’s experience is unique and multifaceted in terms of post-conflict peacebuilding. For nearly 30 years, 20 percent of the country’s territory was under occupation, and more than one million Azerbaijanis were subjected to ethnic cleansing and forcibly displaced from their homes. Despite the gross violation of fundamental principles of international law during this period, the international community failed to demonstrate an effective response. In particular, the non-implementation of the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council, which demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijani territories, revealed the selective and weak functioning of international mechanisms.
One of the key points emphasized in President Ilham Aliyev’s speech is that peace cannot be achieved through diplomatic declarations alone, but requires real political will and mechanisms based on justice. Years of fruitless negotiations demonstrated that international mediation institutions may sometimes be more interested in freezing conflicts than resolving them. In this regard, the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group have been characterized by Azerbaijan as an unsuccessful and even detrimental example. The 28-year activity of the co-chairs maintained the conflict in a state of managed instability rather than resolving it.
The 44-day Patriotic War in 2020 symbolized Azerbaijan’s transition from a phase of strategic patience to a phase of decisive action. According to the President’s thesis, if international law and historical justice are on the side of a state, but all peaceful means have been exhausted, the use of force may become a legitimate and necessary instrument. As a result of this war, Azerbaijan restored its sovereignty and territorial integrity, creating a rare precedent in the history of modern international relations: the country ended the occupation through its own strength and subsequently transferred the peace process to the political plane.
Another important aspect highlighted in the speech is the model of bilateral negotiations. President Ilham Aliyev clearly stated that Azerbaijan chose to abandon “so-called mediation” and preferred to conduct negotiations with Armenia without third-party involvement. This approach ultimately made the achievement of peace more realistic and attainable. This demonstrates that in some cases, direct dialogue can be more effective than complex diplomatic mechanisms created by intermediaries.
Azerbaijan’s experience shows that peace is not only the product of compromise but also of principled positions. Principles such as territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the supremacy of international law are not subjects of negotiation but constitute the foundation of peace. In this regard, the President’s speech at the Forum serves as an important political message to the global audience: preserving an unjust status quo does not lead to long-term peace; on the contrary, it lays the groundwork for new conflicts.
In conclusion, Azerbaijan’s path from occupation to peace offers important lessons for a world in transition. This model demonstrates that the use of force grounded in international law, followed by political dialogue, is not contradictory; rather, when applied in the correct sequence, it contributes to the establishment of sustainable peace. President Ilham Aliyev’s address at the 13th Global Baku Forum can be regarded as a conceptual articulation of this reality.
Department of Social Sciences
Lecturer Gunay Guliyeva
Azerbaijan State Agricultural University
Lecturer Gunay Guliyeva
Azerbaijan State Agricultural University