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Nazrin Abdul

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As the world navigates a turbulent era marked by geopolitical fragmentation, economic uncertainty, and eroding trust in international institutions, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025 (ADF2025) emerges as a timely platform for dialogue and strategic recalibration. Under the theme “Embracing Diplomacy in a Diverging World,” this year’s forum, hosted under the auspices of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, seeks to reassert diplomacy as a stabilizing force amid global disarray.

In this dynamic setting, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev returns to the stage as a central figure in regional diplomacy. His participation underscores Azerbaijan’s growing influence as a reliable international partner, an emerging energy and transport hub, and a nation proactively shaping the geopolitical and economic trajectory of the wider Eurasian region.

Azerbaijan as a diplomatic anchor in a fractured world

President Aliyev’s involvement in ADF2025 reinforces Azerbaijan’s evolving diplomatic identity. Once seen primarily as an energy exporter, Azerbaijan is now leveraging its strategic geography, economic potential, and diplomatic activism to assert itself as a bridge between East and West, North and South.

With a balanced and pragmatic foreign policy rooted in mutual respect and strategic foresight, Azerbaijan continues to gain recognition as a symbol of regional stability and development. President Aliyev’s appearances at international platforms consistently draw attention not only due to Azerbaijan’s geopolitical relevance, but also because of his role as a statesman with clear positions on multilateralism, sovereignty, and regional cooperation.

In Antalya, the Azerbaijani leader is expected to contribute to discussions ranging from energy security and climate change to regional integration and conflict resolution. His presence also demonstrates Azerbaijan’s ability to engage meaningfully with a broad array of partners—including the EU, Gulf countries, and Central Asian republics—amid a rapidly shifting world order.

The Azerbaijan–Türkiye axis: From strategic alignment to economic integration

One of the most significant subtexts of President Aliyev’s visit to Antalya is the continued deepening of Azerbaijan–Türkiye relations—a partnership that has evolved beyond political symbolism into a robust, multidimensional alliance. Rooted in the principle of “One Nation, Two States,” the relationship between Baku and Ankara today is a model of strategic alignment in the modern era.

Under the personal leadership and mutual trust of Presidents Aliyev and Erdoğan, bilateral cooperation now spans energy, defense, transportation, investment, and regional security. As both nations navigate complex regional dynamics—from the South Caucasus to the Eastern Mediterranean—they increasingly act in concert, reinforcing one another’s roles as regional guarantors of peace and stability.

The Antalya forum is expected to provide another platform for high-level dialogue between the two leaders, paving the way for deeper economic collaboration. New discussions may emerge around joint investments, defense-industrial projects, digital innovation, and green energy initiatives—especially as both countries look to position themselves as influential players in the emerging multipolar world.

Economic diplomacy in action: Azerbaijan’s expanding regional role

Azerbaijan’s international standing is increasingly defined by its ambitious infrastructure projects and energy diplomacy. The Southern Gas Corridor, a multi-billion-dollar initiative delivering Caspian gas to Europe via Georgia and Türkiye, remains central to European energy diversification efforts. At a time when global energy security is in flux, Azerbaijan has become indispensable for countries seeking reliable alternatives to Russian gas.

Moreover, Azerbaijan’s investments in logistics—such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the Baku International Sea Trade Port—position the country as a vital link in the transcontinental Middle Corridor. These developments not only connect Asia to Europe via the Caspian and the South Caucasus but also strengthen Baku’s economic ties with Ankara, which serves as a key gateway into European markets. The synergy between Azerbaijani and Turkish transport and energy infrastructure holds transformative potential for the entire Eurasian region, fostering connectivity, trade, and shared prosperity.

Looking ahead: From regional models to global impact

While much of the attention focuses on Azerbaijan’s economic and strategic assets, President Aliyev has also championed multilateralism, climate cooperation, and humanitarian development. Baku’s upcoming role as host of COP29 further signals Azerbaijan’s growing influence on the global environmental agenda.

Additionally, through its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and engagement with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations, Azerbaijan has taken a proactive stance in representing the interests of developing countries and promoting global equity. Its initiatives—ranging from post-conflict reconstruction support to digital inclusion programs—showcase the country’s evolution into a responsible international actor.

A strategic moment for Azerbaijan

President Ilham Aliyev’s presence at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025 is more than a diplomatic gesture—it is a reaffirmation of Azerbaijan’s strategic transformation. As the world grapples with division and disorder, Azerbaijan offers a compelling model of regional leadership, economic pragmatism, and multilateral engagement.

The growing partnership with Türkiye, underpinned by historical ties and shared interests, is poised to shape the future of the broader region—from the South Caucasus to Central Asia and beyond. In an era where alliances are being reshaped and global governance is under strain, Azerbaijan’s voice—clear, strategic, and increasingly influential—is one that will be heard and heeded.