Highlights of the year 2023

The outgoing year of 2023 will be recorded in the history of Azerbaijan as another triumphant chapter. Designated as the "Year of Heydar Aliyev" in Azerbaijan, the year was marked by significant events, with the complete restoration of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty standing out prominently in the memory of its people.

When the Second Karabakh War ended in 2020, and our national flag was raised in Shusha and other liberated territories, everyone knew perfectly well that our work was not completed. Azerbaijan had to restore its sovereignty in full, and so it did. As a continuation of the Karabakh Victory, the eradication of Armenian separatism in Khankendi, Aghdara, Asgaran, Khojavand, and Khojaly through local anti-terrorist measures on September 19 of this year, along with the raising of the Azerbaijani flag in those areas, added another significant chapter to the success story in the country’s history.

In 2023, Azerbaijan achieved full restoration of its sovereignty, ensuring the withdrawal of occupying forces from Karabakh to the last person. Armenian armed groups were crushed, and their military equipment was either destroyed or seized as trophies.

Thanks to the wise policy of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, the Karabakh victory was not only consolidated at the political and diplomatic levels but also led to the enhancement of the country`s international prestige, successfully achieving its primary objectives. The military strength of Azerbaijan was further increased, marked by joint Azerbaijani-Turkish military exercises. Effective measures have been taken to open the Zangezur corridor.

Azerbaijan, having successfully implemented the Great Return Concept, is carrying out huge infrastructure projects in the liberated territories. The phased return of IDPs to Zangilan, Fuzuli, and Lachin cities has already been accomplished, and work in this regard is underway. Currently, intensive efforts are underway to facilitate the return of people to their native lands in the Kalbajar, Jabrayil, and Aghdam districts.

With the Karabakh Victory reshaping the region`s reality, Azerbaijan has successfully positioned itself as a hub for large-scale global projects and a leading country in the South Caucasus, all while ensuring its stability and development.

AZERTAC presents a timeline of major events in 2023.

2 February. The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and ACWA Power of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a Cooperation Agreement on the joint development of renewable energy sources.

3 February. The 9th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council Ministerial Meeting and 1st Green Energy Advisory Council Ministerial Meeting were held in Baku. The President of Azerbaijan attended the opening ceremony.

8 February. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended an unveiling ceremony of a statue of prominent composer, People's Artist, State Prize laureate Tofig Guliyev in Baku. President Ilham Aliyev addressed the unveiling ceremony.

2 March. The Summit-level Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group in response to COVID-19 was held in Baku. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a speech at the event.

9-11 March. Azerbaijan hosted the 10th Global Baku Forum themed “The World of Today: Challenges and Hopes”. President Ilham Aliyev addressed the opening ceremony of the Forum.

12 March. As part of the 10th Global Baku Forum, an event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the National Leader was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center.

3 May. The 4th international conference on “Shaping the Geopolitics of the Greater Eurasia: from Past to Present to Future” was held in Shusha.

4 May. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for Zangilan District Central Hospital and 91-bed Central Hospital in city of Gubadli.

12 May. Co-organized by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), an official opening ceremony of “Year of Shusha – the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2023” was held in the city of Shusha.

5 July. The Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement Coordinating Bureau was held in Baku.

22 July. An opening ceremony of the Global Media Forum was held in Shusha. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony.

31 July. President Ilham Aliyev signed an Order “On the establishment of city days in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan".

7 August. President Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of the Karabakh Regional DOST Center and Karabakh Regional Vocational Training Center of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population in Barda.

19-20 September. The local anti-terrorist measures were successfully implemented in Karabakh. As a result of the withdrawal of the separatists from Aghdara, Khojavand, Khojaly and Khankendi, Azerbaijan fully restored its territorial integrity. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the nation in this regard.

25 September. President Ilham Aliyev and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Igdir-Nakhchivan gas pipeline. A ceremony of signing Azerbaijan-Türkiye documents was held.

29 September. The opening ceremony of the 2nd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum was held in Zangilan. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the Forum.

2 October. The opening ceremony of the 74th International Astronautical Congress was held at the Baku Convention Center. President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the event.

15 October. President Ilham Aliyev raised the national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the city of Khankendi and made a speech here.

23 October. President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening and groundbreaking ceremonies of new enterprises in the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park.

23-25 October. "Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - 2023" joint tactical exercises involving the military personnel of the Azerbaijan Army and the Turkish Armed Forces were conducted.

26 October. An official inauguration of the 230 MW Garadagh Solar PV Plant was held. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the ceremony.

3 November. The 10th summit of the Organization of Turkic States was held under the motto “Turk Time” in Astana.

8 November. A military parade dedicated to the third anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War was held in the city of Khankendi. President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their son Heydar Aliyev attended the parade.

15 November. President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening of the “DOST EVI” branch of the DOST Center for Inclusive Development and Creativity of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population in Ismayilli.

24 November. The Summit of heads of state and government of the Member States of the United Nations Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia – SPECA was held in Baku. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the Summit.

28 November. President Ilham Aliyev signed an Order on the establishment of “Karabakh University” in the city of Khankendi.

7 December. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed an order to hold an early presidential election in the country.

7 December. A Forum titled "Karabakh: Back Home After 30 Years. Accomplishments and Challenges" was held with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev at ADA University.

8 December. A glittering Prize-Giving Ceremony of the International Automobile Federation – FIA to honor the champions for the 2023 season was held in Baku.

21 December. FC Qarabag (Aghdam) and MOIK (Baku) clashed in the Azerbaijani Cup round of 16 match at the Khankendi Stadium. President Ilham Aliyev were present at the stadium to watch the match.

25 December. President Ilham Aliyev signed an Order on declaring 2024 as the “Green World Solidarity Year” in the country.

27 December. President Ilham Aliyev signed a law regarding the establishment of the Aghdara district in the Republic of Azerbaijan.