The 12th Global Baku Forum, themed “Rethinking World Order: Turning Challenges into Opportunities,” has commenced at the Gulustan Palace in Baku under the patronage of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the Forum has once again become a focal point for high-level discussions on pressing global challenges, bringing together world leaders, diplomats, and renowned experts.
The fact that the forum is being held for the twelfth time underscores its sustained significance in the international political agenda. However, this year’s meeting in Baku takes on special importance due to the ongoing geopolitical instability. The forum is taking place at a time of deep transformations in the global order, which is undergoing significant changes before our eyes.
Over the past three decades, the international community has witnessed profound changes, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the dissolution of the “Eastern Bloc,” and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union. However, the current situation differs in that even traditional alliances of the United States with countries such as Canada and the European Union are being reconsidered. At the same time, Washington is making diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, geopolitical shifts continue in the Middle East, remnants of the French colonial system are disintegrating in Africa and the Pacific Islands, and Central Asia—once perceived as a closed and stable region—is rapidly opening up to the world and integrating into global processes.
In this evolving international landscape, the need for dialogue—both official and informal—has increased significantly. In this context, Baku once again serves as an important diplomatic platform for discussing pressing global political issues.
Among the participants of the forum are prominent international political figures, including President of Albania Bajram Begaj, Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović, President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, as well as former heads of state and government such as Tarja Halonen (Finland), Boris Tadić (Serbia), Giorgi Margvelashvili (Georgia), François Hollande (France), Boris Johnson and Gordon Brown (United Kingdom), Charles Michel (former President of the European Council), and many others.
However, merely listing high-profile participants does not fully reflect the significance of this forum. Organizing an event of such scale requires not only the necessary infrastructure but also a certain level of international authority on the part of the host country. In this regard, Azerbaijan demonstrates its independent foreign policy approach, making it an attractive venue for global discussions.
Countries hosting international forums are often compared to Switzerland. In Azerbaijan’s case, this comparison has merit but with some fundamental differences. Unlike Switzerland, which has adhered to a policy of neutrality for centuries, Azerbaijan is a young state that regained its independence in 1991. Nevertheless, the country actively participates in international political processes and takes a clear stance on key issues, including support for the territorial integrity of states, condemnation of colonialism and neo-colonialism, and other global challenges. Recent developments regarding the restoration of control over its own territories have confirmed Azerbaijan’s ability to defend its sovereignty. Additionally, the country pursues an independent foreign policy focused on multi-vector cooperation.
The growing interest in the Global Forum in Baku is not only due to its status as a diplomatic platform but also to Azerbaijan’s increasing importance on the international stage. Bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum and negotiations between foreign leaders and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev serve as clear evidence of this.
In his speech at the forum, President Ilham Aliyev addressed a wide range of topics, including the development of the energy sector, the environmental agenda, last year’s COP29 climate summit, and the implementation of logistics projects. Special attention was given to the establishment of long-term and sustainable peace in the South Caucasus. The head of state emphasized that Azerbaijan will not forget the occupation of its territories and the tragedy in Khojaly. The president stated that the restoration of the country’s sovereignty is a crucial step toward long-term stability in the region.
Thus, the statements made by the President of Azerbaijan at the Global Forum hold particular significance, considering the country’s geopolitical achievements, its role in regional and international politics, and its hosting of major international events such as COP29 and the XII Global Forum.
