BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 20. Azerbaijan’s
participation in the first meeting of the Board of Peace in
Washington demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to the
international peace agenda, political analyst Azer Garayev told
Trend.
"On February 19, the inaugural session of the Board of Peace was
held in the United States capital, bringing together
representatives of several countries, including President Ilham
Aliyev. The meeting took place amid shifting global security
dynamics and evolving regional conflicts, underscoring the need for
new platforms aimed at dialogue and sustainable peace.
In recent years, the international relations system has
undergone serious transformations. The deepening of regional
conflicts, intensifying competition among major powers, and
struggles over energy security and transport routes directly affect
global stability. In this context, the establishment of the Board
of Peace can be seen as an indicator of the international
community’s need for dialogue and mutual understanding. The Board’s
main goal is to coordinate peace initiatives in various regions,
contribute to building trust among parties, and support the
creation of sustainable security mechanisms. This platform opens
new opportunities for cooperation at both the interstate and
regional levels. President Ilham Aliyev’s participation in the
meeting is a clear demonstration of Azerbaijan’s importance to the
international peace agenda. In recent years, Azerbaijan has
demonstrated an active political and diplomatic stance against the
backdrop of new regional realities,” Garayev said.
According to him, the head of state’s participation conveyed
several key messages:
“Azerbaijan is an active participant in peace processes;
ensuring sustainable stability in the region is Baku’s strategic
priority; and the protection and promotion of national interests on
global platforms continues consistently. In the post-conflict
period, Azerbaijan has identified the establishment of long-term
peace in the South Caucasus as its primary objective. In this
regard, the meeting held in Washington created an important
opportunity to once again present Azerbaijan’s position to the
international audience. In recent years, Azerbaijan has put forward
several peace and cooperation initiatives not only at the regional
but also at the global level. Acting as a reliable partner for
Europe in the field of energy security, our country also
contributes to strengthening intercontinental connectivity through
transport and logistics projects. Baku has also become an active
diplomatic center in hosting international events. This
demonstrates Azerbaijan’s commitment to a multilateral cooperation
model. Participation in the first meeting of the Board of Peace
once again confirmed this commitment,” he stated.
Garayev noted that Washington’s hosting of the meeting is also
noteworthy, as the U.S. capital has traditionally been one of the
centers where major global political decisions are shaped. The
first session held there enhances the Board’s international
legitimacy and political weight.
“This platform brings together countries belonging to different
geopolitical blocs at one table, creating an environment for
constructive discussion. At a time when a crisis of trust is
observed at the global level, such initiatives carry particular
importance. The future activities of the Board of Peace could play
a significant role in several areas, including the creation of
support mechanisms for resolving regional conflicts, expanding
humanitarian and economic cooperation platforms, promoting
confidence-building measures, and strengthening the institutional
foundations of political dialogue. If the Board succeeds in forming
practical mechanisms, it could contribute to the emergence of a new
model of cooperation in the international relations system.
Azerbaijan’s participation in the Board of Peace can be viewed as a
continuation of its balanced foreign policy course. Baku seeks to
build mutually beneficial relations with both regional and global
powers. Ensuring lasting peace in the South Caucasus, safeguarding
the security of transport and energy projects, deepening economic
integration, and promoting relations based on the norms and
principles of international law remain Azerbaijan’s key
priorities,” he said.
The analyst emphasized that the inaugural meeting of the Board
of Peace in Washington could be regarded as the beginning of a new
phase in global political processes. President Ilham Aliyev’s
participation once again demonstrated Azerbaijan’s active support
for international peace initiatives and its principled stance aimed
at ensuring regional stability.
“In the modern world, peace is secured not only through
declarations but through concrete steps and sustained dialogue.
Azerbaijan’s active participation in this process reflects the
country’s growing international authority and image as a
responsible partner. The future activities of the Board of Peace
may contribute to the formation of a new format of cooperation in
the international relations system. Azerbaijan, for its part,
continues to strengthen its position both as a regional leader and
as a supporter of global dialogue,” Garayev added.
