07 July 2025 22:34

On 7 July 2025, the 9th Meeting of Heads of Diplomatic Service Bodies on the theme “Azerbaijan’s foreign policy after the restoration of sovereignty: priorities and challenges” commenced its work.

On the occasion of the meeting, as well as 9 July – the professional holiday of employees of the diplomatic service bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, along with heads of diplomatic missions and consulates accredited in foreign countries, visited the Alley of Honor, the Alley of Martyrs, and Victory Park.

Subsequently, the opening ceremony of the 9th Meeting of Heads of Diplomatic Service Bodies was held at ADA University.

At the opening ceremony, Rector of ADA University Hafiz Pashayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov, and Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan – Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev delivered remarks.

During the speeches, various directions of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy were addressed, including economy, security, energy, culture, and communications, along with achievements and future plans. The current regional and international security environment was also analyzed.

It was emphasized that, amid a global landscape characterized by geopolitical tensions and emerging challenges, Azerbaijan’s diplomacy must be more active, adaptive, and decisive than ever.

At the opening ceremony, which covered the expansion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation agendas and engagement within regional and international organizations, new directions of foreign policy, mediation efforts, climate diplomacy, and future plans in these areas were discussed.

It was highlighted that Azerbaijan’s active participation in international mediation efforts is an indicator of its growing role in both bilateral and multilateral arenas.

It was noted that Azerbaijan actively engages within multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Economic Cooperation Organization, and the Organization of Developing Eight Countries (D-8), as well as other institutions, and puts forward a number of important initiatives.

It was underlined that the restoration of the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty—being the primary goal of Azerbaijan’s diplomacy for more than 30 years—has further strengthened the country’s position in the current system of international relations and increased the determination of its foreign policy.

The post-conflict situation in the region, large-scale reconstruction and restoration works in the liberated territories, and the Azerbaijan–Armenia normalization process were also addressed. Existing challenges threatening the peace process, including the necessity of eliminating territorial claims against Azerbaijan reflected in Armenia’s constitution, were highlighted.

Within the framework of the meeting, which will continue from 7 to 9 July, panel sessions are planned on bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, economic, climate and energy diplomacy, connectivity, legal proceedings, humanitarian and cultural diplomacy, international development assistance, foreign policy communication, parliamentary diplomacy, international treaties, diaspora activities, and improving the efficiency of diplomatic service bodies.

On 9 July – the professional holiday of Azerbaijan’s diplomatic service employees – the meeting will continue with a special session to be held in the city of Khankendi.