Azerbaijani top diplomat highlights country’s growing global authority at int'l roundtable PHOTO

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has emphasised Azerbaijan’s growing authority on the global stage during an international roundtable held on July 8–9 in Baku and Shusha, marking the 20th anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official journal World of Diplomacy.

The event brought together representatives from leading analytical centres and foreign ministries of 16 countries, as well as editors and experts from international relations journals, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Foreign Ministry.

Bayramov underlined the crucial role the magazine has played over two decades as a platform for articulating Azerbaijan’s foreign policy priorities and perspectives on international affairs.

In his address, the minister highlighted the independent, pragmatic, and open foreign policy pursued under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. Bayramov also provided detailed insights into the evolving realities of the South Caucasus region in the post-conflict period, the ongoing process of normalising Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, and key challenges to concluding a peace agreement.

He further spoke about Azerbaijan’s ambitious “Great Return” program and the extensive reconstruction efforts underway in territories liberated from occupation.

The minister also emphasised Azerbaijan’s active engagement in international initiatives, citing the country’s successful chairmanship of COP29 and the Non-Aligned Movement, and announced that Azerbaijan will host the 82nd session of UNESCAP, the 13th World Forum of Cities, and the World Environment Day.

As part of the roundtable program, participants visited Shusha, Azerbaijan’s cultural capital, where they witnessed the impacts of the Armenian occupation and ongoing restoration projects. Presentations on the city’s historical and cultural heritage were delivered, followed by a cultural program celebrating Azerbaijan’s rich legacy.

By Khagan Isayev