The international forum “Facing the New World Order”, held on
April 9 at ADA University in Baku, served as a vital platform for
examining the shifting dynamics of global politics. Speaking to the
press following the event, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament
Kamaladdin Gafarov emphasized the forum’s particular relevance for
countries in the Near and Middle East, as well as the broader
international community grappling with the consequences of rising
geopolitical tensions.
Gafarov highlighted that the world is undergoing a profound
transformation, transitioning from a unipolar model to a multipolar
international order. This emerging reality, he noted, is
accompanied by increasing regional instability—a pattern observed
across several continents, from Eastern Europe to the Middle
East.
“This process is currently accompanied by an increase in
regional tensions on a global scale,” Gafarov stated. “In order to
solve the existing problems, regional actors need to intervene more
actively in the processes. Because international organizations can
no longer implement adequate security measures.”
Indeed, the declining efficacy of traditional multilateral
institutions such as the United Nations and the OSCE in resolving
conflicts and ensuring security has compelled regional powers to
take a more assertive role. In this context, Azerbaijan’s
geostrategic position and growing diplomatic clout place it in a
pivotal role—not only in the South Caucasus, but also in shaping
cooperation between Central Asia and Europe.
Gafarov pointed to Azerbaijan’s strategic partnerships, many of
which have been formalized through bilateral and multilateral
agreements. As President Ilham Aliyev noted in his keynote speech
at the Forum, these partnerships have enabled the country to act as
a bridge across geographical and political divides, particularly in
areas of transport, energy, and economic integration.
Despite Azerbaijan’s efforts toward regional peacebuilding,
Gafarov criticized the stance of certain Western actors who, in his
view, continue to undermine Azerbaijan’s role in regional
diplomacy.
“It is very regrettable that some Western countries are still
trying to belittle the role of our country in the ongoing processes
and draw dividing lines in the South Caucasus,” he remarked.
Yet, Azerbaijan has remained committed to achieving long-term
peace with Armenia, provided that Yerevan aligns its domestic
policy, including its constitution, with the new post-conflict
realities. If Armenia genuinely pursues reconciliation, Gafarov
believes, there will be no barrier to transforming the South
Caucasus into a cohesive and cooperative region.
Beyond the South Caucasus: Azerbaijan’s quiet
diplomacy in the Middle East
Expanding his analysis, Gafarov underscored Azerbaijan’s
potential to contribute to peace in the Middle East, a region
currently facing renewed volatility amid the Ukraine war and
escalating Israeli-Turkish tensions.
“Today, along with the Ukrainian-Russian military conflict, the
increasing tension in the Near and Middle East region is seriously
worrying the world community,” he said.
Here, Azerbaijan’s balanced foreign policy, internal political
stability, and unique relationships with both Turkiye and Israel
position it as a credible intermediary. Unlike many regional
actors, Azerbaijan maintains strategic alliances with both sides, a
legacy reinforced by its role in facilitating the first
rapprochement between Turkiye and Israel following strained
diplomatic ties.
The 2021 Shusha Declaration, which solidified Azerbaijan’s
alliance with Turkiye, and decades of cooperation with Israel in
areas like defense, technology, and energy, are key pillars of
Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Gafarov noted that these enduring
relationships give Baku the diplomatic leverage to act as a
stabilizing force in a polarized region.
A rising diplomatic actor
Azerbaijan’s emerging role in international affairs is not
coincidental—it is the result of strategic vision, careful
diplomacy, and a pragmatic foreign policy that seeks balance over
confrontation. While great power politics continue to shift,
Azerbaijan is carving out a niche for itself as a constructive
regional actor, capable of influencing outcomes far beyond its
borders.
As Gafarov concluded, Azerbaijan’s mission does not end with
peace in the South Caucasus. Its evolving foreign policy suggests
an ambition to be a regional connector and peace broker,
contributing to stability in some of the world’s most volatile
regions.
