From victory to revival Five years of the new Azerbaijan

Five years… A moment in historical terms. Truly, a moment. And yet—an entire era, especially when it comes to restoring historical justice and creating new geopolitical realities based on the norms and principles of international law.

Five years… That is exactly how much time has passed from the Great Victory of 2020 to the present day. The same November on the calendar, the same November in the world. But what a journey it has been! Without exaggeration, it can confidently be called a road from victory to victory—from triumph on the battlefield to victories on all fronts of life.

On November 8, 2020, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Alley of Honour and the Alley of Martyrs. Addressing the Azerbaijani people at the Martyrs’ Lane, the head of state said:

"Dear fellow countrymen, dear sisters and brothers! It is with great pride that I declare that the city of Shusha has been liberated from occupation! Shusha is ours! Karabakh is ours! I heartily congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion. I heartily congratulate all the people of Shusha"

The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, emphasised that the liberation of our lands from occupation came at the cost of the lives and blood of our people, soldiers, and officers. He noted that the country’s political and economic independence has enabled Azerbaijan to develop and strengthen its army. At the core of this achievement lies a rare model of development, distinguished worldwide, which combines internal solidarity, national unity, and cohesion around a single idea. This unity prevented biased external forces from implementing their malicious plans in Azerbaijan. Thanks to this solidarity and consensus, and united as an “Iron Fist,” the Azerbaijani people liberated their lands from the occupiers.

"It will always be the case," President Aliyev declared at the time. "This unity will last forever! This unity will allow us to fulfill all our responsibilities in the future." Thus, the victorious march of the Azerbaijani people continues, and there is no force in the world capable of stopping us!

Two years later, the head of state described as a great blessing, bestowed upon all of us by soldiers and officers, the fact that from that moment onward, the Azerbaijani people would always live as a people of victors, and our state would exist as a victorious state, regardless of national or religious identity or place of residence.

In May 2025, the President emphasised that, as masters of our own lands, we are inherently creators. He noted that when an entire society unites for a single purpose, it is capable of great achievements. This, he said, is the true greatness of the Azerbaijani people.

One of the key emphases of this statement was particularly evident when it was made during the opening of the Aghdam Mugham Centre. Its significance lies in the fact that the Azerbaijani people perceive themselves as victors both on a global scale and in individual spheres. This may seem surprising to some, but you cannot erase words from a song—just as you cannot erase them from history. Politics, the economy, the military, diplomacy, culture, science, education, sports… In every field, in every aspect, we feel like winners in the full sense of the word.

As President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly stressed, economic independence has enabled us to achieve political independence. This, in turn, became the most important driving force behind the development of culture, art, education, and other spheres. When the majestic sounds of mugham and the unique notes of our jazz resonate in the world’s finest concert halls. When the planet witnesses the unparalleled Karabakh horses. When our young talents become winners of Olympiads across all continents.

Alongside this is the provision of Baku as a platform to address pressing contemporary issues, where opposing sides come together at a single table. In the same vein are Baku’s concrete initiatives to foster connections between the Global South and the Global North.

In other words, for a significant period, Azerbaijan has been presenting the world with ideas rooted in universal human values, advocating for global justice. In this context, one recalls President Ilham Aliyev’s calls, during the height of COVID-19, to reject “vaccine nationalism,” as well as Baku’s decisive steps toward eradicating neocolonialism and providing assistance to Small Island Developing States.

Equally significant is the creation of tangible conditions in Baku for dialogue among cultures, civilizations, and religions. At the same time, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation supports the restoration of majestic monuments belonging to the Catholic world (Vatican) and the Orthodox world (Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria). This is happening alongside the Foundation’s assistance to children in Rwanda, Africa, where schools are being equipped with computers and provided with access to clean drinking water.

All spheres, all fields are being engaged by this victorious people to move forward steadily. It is also worth noting the recent success of Aghdam’s Qarabağ football club, which drew against the reigning world club champions—London’s Chelsea. And it is not just remarkable because, only a few years earlier, Qarabağ had suffered heavy defeats against renowned opponents in Baku.

The 2:2 draw with Chelsea was no longer seen as a sensational result. On the contrary, some even regretted that the winning score had slipped away. Because we are a people of victors. And we will remain so—whether on the fields of the economy, culture, or sport.

Five years. Truly, a moment in historical terms. And yet—an entire era. An era of creation, progress, and development. A time when world leaders fly to Azerbaijan for bilateral meetings or international forums, not only to Baku’s international airport but, for instance, to Lachin.

Three international airports built in the liberated territories in five years—or in fact, in an even shorter period!

A magnificent university in Khankendi. Numerous international conferences and concert programmes held in Karabakh and East Zangezur.

Five years… A victorious people. A victorious country. And we breathe deeply the fresh and unique air of the Great Victory!