Azerbaijan's Peace Initiative: A New Diplomatic Voice at the 80th UN General Assembly

The speeches of heads of state at the 80th UN General Assembly's general debate intertwined the common concerns and divergent views of the international community. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's voice was particularly pivotal.

This UN General Assembly session convenes at a time when the world faces multiple challenges: ongoing regional conflicts, a worsening climate crisis, a widening development gap, and the rise of unilateralism. In his opening address, UN Secretary-General Guterres warned, "We are facing a global crisis," noting that core UN principles such as peace, development, and human rights are under immense pressure.

Against this backdrop, the Azerbaijani President's speech, which focused on the peaceful settlement of disputes and economic cooperation, garnered widespread international attention.

01 Diplomatic Breakthrough: Normalization of Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia

The most striking part of the Azerbaijani President's speech at the UN General Assembly was his statement on normalizing relations with Armenia. This breakthrough was brokered by US President Trump.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was once one of the most protracted disputes in the South Caucasus, leading to a long-standing confrontation between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The recent normalization of relations between the two countries has opened up new prospects for regional cooperation and stability.

In his address to the UN General Assembly, Kazakh President Tokayev specifically praised this progress, saying it proves that "long-standing conflicts can be resolved through diplomacy and wise policymaking."

This assessment reflects the international community's recognition of Azerbaijan's diplomatic efforts. In the multilateral arena of the United Nations, Azerbaijan has demonstrated its commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue.

02 Economic Vision: Building a Hub Connecting East and West

In his address, President Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan's plans to improve its business environment and attract foreign investment.

He specifically noted that Azerbaijan will improve its business environment to attract foreign investment in infrastructure, energy transition, and the digital economy. This economic diversification strategy aims to reduce reliance on traditional energy sectors.

As a country located at the junction of Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan enjoys a natural geographical advantage. The President's speech showcased the country's vision of becoming a regional economic hub, which aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals' commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth.

Against a backdrop of increasing global economic uncertainty, this openness to investment sends a positive signal to the international community.

03 Regional Cooperation: The Significance of the Trans-Caspian Transport Route

The Trans-Caspian Transport Route, mentioned by President Aliyev, is a key component of Azerbaijan's regional cooperation strategy.

This transport corridor project is part of the broader "Middle Corridor" initiative, which aims to connect China with Europe and strengthen land connections between Europe and Asia. Kazakh President Tokayev also noted in his speech that Kazakhstan, as a logistics hub connecting Asia and Europe, handles 80% of overland freight transport.

These infrastructure investments not only contribute to regional economic development but also promote connectivity between countries, consistent with the UN's commitment to promoting cooperation and development.

At a time when the global trade system faces the risk of fragmentation, maintaining and expanding these transnational transport routes is particularly significant.

04 Multilateralism: Azerbaijan's Stance on Global Governance

Multilateralism was a central topic at the 80th UN General Assembly. Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the need to "uphold multilateralism and abandon a 'Cold War mentality.'" UN Secretary-General Guterres called for "strengthening the role of the United Nations in the 21st century."

The Azerbaijani President's speech demonstrated support for multilateralism. By participating in cooperation within the UN framework, Azerbaijan has demonstrated its image as a responsible member of the international community.

On the UN General Assembly, the world's largest multilateral stage, while Azerbaijan's voice may not be as prominent as that of major powers, it represents the growing confidence and influence of middle powers in international affairs.

In his speech, President Tokayev noted that "when major powers fail to unite or appear ineffective in addressing pressing issues that threaten all humanity, these countries play a mediating role within the UN framework." This perspective aptly describes the potential role of countries like Azerbaijan in today's global governance.

05 Azerbaijan's Initiative in a Global Perspective

Placing the Azerbaijani President's initiative in a global context reveals its convergence with the shared concerns of the international community.

In terms of peace and security, the easing of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia stands in stark contrast to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Ukrainian crisis. In his address to the UN General Assembly, Brazilian President Lula noted that "the current international order is unbalanced, with violations of sovereignty, arbitrary sanctions, and unilateral interference becoming increasingly normalized."

In the economic sphere, Azerbaijan's openness strategy contrasts with the trend toward protectionism in some countries. Global foreign direct investment fell to $1.5 trillion last year, reflecting the challenges facing international economic and trade cooperation.

In terms of sustainable development, Azerbaijan's investment plan aligns with the UN 2030 Agenda. UN General Assembly President Berbock noted that overall progress on the Sustainable Development Goals is lagging: "Only 35% are on track; 47% are underachieving; and 18% have even regressed."

Whether Azerbaijan's initiative will have a broader impact depends on its implementation and the evolving international environment.

Outside the halls of the 80th UN General Assembly, the world was undergoing profound changes. Inside, the President of Azerbaijan's speech provided a model for how middle-sized geopolitical powers can participate in global governance.

As the United Nations enters its 80th year, all member states are exploring a model of multilateralism adapted to the new era. Azerbaijan's experience in resolving long-standing conflicts through diplomatic mediation offers the international community an example of resolving disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation.

UN Secretary-General Guterres has warned: "The world is increasingly moving towards multipolarity, but multipolarity without effective multilateral mechanisms will inevitably lead to chaos." Against this backdrop, the commitment of every member state to the UN is particularly crucial.