Azerbaijan’s masterclass in a shattered world order When pragmatism meets strategy

The Munich Security Conference 2026 is taking place against the backdrop of major global changes, which have shaped the selection of its main topics, including the European security architecture, transatlantic relations, the Russia–Ukraine war, multipolarity, and the structure of the new world order.

To discuss these highly relevant and life-defining issues, nearly 60 heads of state and government attended the conference in Munich, including the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. On the first day of the conference, the Azerbaijani leader held a series of meetings, including with the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Slovakia, Robert Kaliňák; the CEO of one of the world’s largest software and cloud technology companies, Oracle, Mike Sicilia; and also gave interviews to domestic TV channels and France 24.

Such interest in our country and its president is by no means accidental. It is driven by several factors, foremost among them being, first, Ilham Aliyev’s meticulous policy focused on Azerbaijan’s national interests, and second, the de facto peace established between Baku and Yerevan. As Ilham Aliyev noted in his interview with France 24, the signing of the historic document at the White House in the presence of the President of the United States signifies that the conflict is over, and we have entered a period of peace that, as the head of our state expressed hope, will be lasting.

This was made possible precisely thanks to the efforts of the Azerbaijani state, which, following the end of the Second Karabakh War, as the victor, independently—without anyone’s support and despite external pressure—restored its territorial integrity and historical justice, and has consistently and purposefully advanced its peaceful agenda. In effect, Baku offered Yerevan a new model of coexistence—without illusions of revenge, but with opportunities for economic integration, transit, and regional development.

Today, the entire international community is witnessing how this Azerbaijani initiative is being implemented, radically transforming the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus, shifting the focus from conflict and confrontation to a pragmatic agenda of security and open communication channels.

Azerbaijan’s multi-vector foreign policy, grounded in national interests and sound pragmatism, is gaining recognition in the world’s key decision-making centres. This is clearly reflected in various strategically significant agreements between our country and other states, which, at times, occupy, so to speak, opposite sides of the international spectrum.

Examples include the Charter on Strategic Partnership between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States of America, whose signing ceremony recently took place in the Azerbaijani capital, and last year’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with the People’s Republic of China. In addition, Azerbaijan has concluded partnership agreements with several European Union countries.

Another important aspect is our country’s transport and logistics potential. It is no coincidence that President Aliyev will speak today in the panel discussion “Open Corridor Policy? Deepening Trans-Caspian Cooperation.” Situated on the ancient Silk Road and endowed with a strong economy, a powerful army, and domestic political stability, Azerbaijan serves as a bridge connecting North and South, West and East, further strengthening its position in the global geopolitical and geo-economic landscape.

Taken together, these factors make Azerbaijan a truly unique state, whose significance on the international stage is difficult to overestimate—especially today, in a period of the old world order’s collapse and the construction of a new one. On the question of how to integrate into these new geopolitical realities while successfully defending national interests, Baku can offer a masterclass to any country, including the most developed nations in the world.