In October of 1991, Azerbaijan restored its independence. However, during the initial years of independence, the nation faced significant internal and governmental challenges. Various aspects of public life were affected by disorder and uncertainty. Additionally, the military situation deteriorated with day-by-day escalating Armenian aggression. Azerbaijan experienced a period of power crisis during this time.

On June 9, during challenging times, Heydar Aliyev heeded the urgent calls of the people and returned to Baku. On June 15, 1993, at the request of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, who returned to power for the second time, was elected chairman of the Supreme Soviet. Through his dedicated efforts, he played a crucial role in averting a civil war in the country. Thus, the long-running tensions and confrontation subsided, and the country escaped the threat of civil war and disintegration.

The great potential of Heydar Aliyev became the guarantee of Azerbaijan’s independence in such a difficult political period. The national leader’s personality, political power, determination, and charisma ended the political crisis, and the integration of Azerbaijan into the world community began.

Over the following years, Azerbaijan literally revived: Heydar Aliyev managed to achieve a ceasefire in the zone of the former conflict which arose as a result of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan. Moreover, thanks to the determination and visionary policies of the national leader, the historic “Contract of the Century” was signed, and the revival of the national economy began. A regular army was created, an influx of major foreign investment into our country began, the foundations of statehood were laid and the ideology of Azerbaijanism was adopted as official ideology. In addition, Azerbaijan has become active in the foreign diplomacy. All this led to the fact that gradually, step by step, our country was formed as an independent, strong and developing state.In 1997, members of the parliament proposed to include June 15 to the calendar as the National Salvation Day of Azerbaijan, and the parliament approved this proposal. Since then,the return to power of Heydar Aliyev, who devoted his life to the prosperity of Azerbaijan, has been celebrated as the National Salvation Day.

It was thanks to the national leader Heydar Aliyev`sexceptional sense of statehood, profound logic, and ability to deeply understand the essence of issues that it became possible to determine the correct approach to the establishment of international relations. Since 2003, Azerbaijan has been continuing to implement the policy of Heydar Aliyev, and enriching it under the leadership of H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The modern foreign policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, conducted under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev, shows its loyalty to the above-mentioned course of the comprehensive development of mutually beneficial relations with members of the world community, and it is aimed at the prosperity and welfare of the Republic of Azerbaijan, at the continuous development and ensuring the well-being of the population.

Under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan liberated its internationally recognized territories from the almost 30-years occupation by Armenia, implementing UN Security Council 4 resolutions of 1993.

It should be noted that, over the past years, the Republic of Azerbaijan has successfully chaired several important organizations such as the UN Security Council, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Turkic States, and many others.

On May 1-3, 2024, the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue themed “Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity” was held at the Baku Convention Center. The Forum, organized by the government of Azerbaijan, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the World Tourism Organization (WTO), and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), brought together 700 distinguished guests representing from all over world.

Taking into consideration all the above-mentioned, Azerbaijan has been unanimously supported as the next host of the UN Climate Change Conference. Thus, in coming November tens of thousands of delegates are expected in Baku for the COP29 Summit to discuss the future of our planet from a climate change perspective. This is another sign of Azerbaijan`s strong diplomacy at a global scale and well recognized reputation of Azerbaijan as a reliable partner for multilateral negotiations.