Independence Day of The Republic of Azerbaijan

TDT | Manama

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Each year on May 28, people of the Republic of Azerbaijan proudly commemorates the founding of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) in 1918—a pioneering moment not only in the history of Azerbaijan but also across the Islamic world. As the first secular, democratic republic in the Muslim East, the ADR laid the cornerstone of modern Azerbaijani statehood, advancing principles of liberty, equality, and inclusive governance.

The ADR represented a transformative chapter in the political history of the East. It introduced a parliamentary democracy, codified civil liberties, and advanced political pluralism. Significantly, Azerbaijan became the first Muslim-majority nation to grant women the right to vote, ahead of many Western nations. These reforms laid a strong foundation for modern statehood in Azerbaijan and inspired broader movements for liberty and gender equality across the region.

Peaceful coexistence

Despite facing intense geopolitical pressure, the ADR made substantial progress in creating robust institutions, enacting judicial reforms, and prioritizing education. Its foreign policy was based on peaceful coexistence and good-neighborly relations. In a landmark diplomatic achievement, Azerbaijan’s sovereignty was recognized de facto by the Supreme Council of the Allied Powers on January 11, 1920, following its delegation’s active engagement at the Paris Peace Conference.

However, the republic’s independence was short-lived. In April 1920, Azerbaijan was invaded by the Red Army and subsequently absorbed into the Soviet Union. While the ADR lasted only 23 months, its legacy remained embedded in the national consciousness. This spirit was fully revived in 1991, when Azerbaijan regained its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR.

Eurasia

Today, Azerbaijan occupies a pivotal position in the evolving Eurasian geopolitical landscape. Strategically situated between the Caspian and Black Seas, and bordering Russia, Iran, Türkiye, and Central Asia, Azerbaijan has long been a significant player in regional geopolitics. Over the past two decades, it has emerged as the region’s primary energy and logistics hub.

Since restoring its independence in 1991, the Republic of Azerbaijan has undergone a remarkable transformation. The independent Republic of Azerbaijan successfully preserved its sovereignty, largely due to the visionary leadership and invaluable contributions of the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev. His dedication to the development and stability of the Azerbaijani state and nation played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s modern trajectory. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the country has achieved stability, economic growth, and global recognition as a reliable international partner. Azerbaijan has hosted prestigious global events, chaired the Non-Aligned Movement (2019–2023), and strengthened its position as a center of regional diplomacy.

One of the defining moments of Azerbaijan’s post-Soviet history was its victory in the 2020 Patriotic War, which ended nearly 30 years of illegal occupation of 20% of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory by Armenia. The occupation led to widespread destruction and desecration of cultural and religious heritage. Over 60 mosques were destroyed, and many were misused in ways deeply offensive to the Azerbaijani people.

Reconstruction campaigns

Following liberation, Azerbaijan launched one of the most ambitious post-conflict reconstruction campaigns in the world. Entire cities and villages are being rebuilt as part of the national effort to transform the liberated territories into Smart Cities, Smart Villages, and Green Energy Zones. These initiatives are grounded in cutting-edge technologies and environmental standards, making sustainability a cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s development model.

Azerbaijan invites international partners, especially from the Gulf region—including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain—to participate in these transformative projects. These efforts offer extensive investment opportunities across infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, agriculture, and technology sectors, all while contributing to regional peace and development.

Azerbaijan has made significant investments in transportation and logistics infrastructure, turning the country into a critical hub in the Middle Corridor that connects East and West. With modern seaports, a shipbuilding factory, and a comprehensive railway network, Azerbaijan facilitates the growing flow of cargo between Central Asia, China, and Europe.

This strategic position benefits international actors, including countries in Central Asia and the Middle East, wishing to deepen economic ties across Eurasia. Azerbaijan has already established joint investment funds with several countries in these regions and actively promotes synergy through mutually beneficial partnerships.

Green energy

Traditionally a major oil and gas exporter, Azerbaijan is now expanding its leadership into the green energy sector. In late 2024, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a landmark agreement to lay a green energy transmission cable under the Caspian Sea. This will bring renewable electricity from Central Asia and Azerbaijan to Europe, reinforcing Europe’s energy security with clean sources.

As of today, Azerbaijani natural gas supplies reach 12 countries, 10 of which are European, and 8 are members of the EU. This underscores Azerbaijan’s strategic role in ensuring global energy security, now with an increasing focus on sustainable alternatives.

In this spirit, Azerbaijan continues to host key multilateral platforms, including the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council.

COP29

In recognition of its growing leadership in sustainability and environmental stewardship, the Republic of Azerbaijan was selected to host the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2024. Demonstrating exceptional organizational capacity and political will, Azerbaijan successfully convened COP29 in its capital city, Baku. The summit brought together world leaders, policymakers, climate negotiators, and environmental experts from across the globe to advance the international climate agenda. The conference served as a testament to Azerbaijan’s firm commitment to green development, clean energy transition, and climate resilience.

COP29 provided a dynamic platform for inclusive dialogue, policy innovation, and strengthened multilateral cooperation. The event was widely lauded for its seamless organization, balanced representation of diverse stakeholders, and significant deliverables, including groundbreaking partnerships focused on clean technologies and sustainable finance. Through this landmark achievement, Azerbaijan further solidified its role as a regional leader in green transformation and a credible actor in global climate governance. The country reaffirmed its ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 and 40% by 2050, with an emphasis on transforming the recently liberated territories into net-zero emission zones.

Climate finance

Among the most notable outcomes was the historic agreement to increase the climate finance target from $100 billion to $300 billion annually, aimed at supporting developing nations in their climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. Additionally, after a decade of stalled discussions, COP29 achieved a breakthrough on operationalizing international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The formal activation of the Loss and Damage Fund further underscored the summit’s success. Widely hailed as a turning point in global climate diplomacy, COP29 will be remembered as the “Baku Breakthrough” – a milestone event that reinforced Azerbaijan’s role on the world stage and accelerated collective climate action.

Azerbaijan plays a vital role in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), championing Islamic values, cultural heritage, and diplomatic collaboration. In May 2024, the 15th Islamic Summit in The Gambia formally approved Azerbaijan as the host of the 16th Islamic Summit in 2026, highlighting the nation’s commitment to the Islamic world.

Diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain—established in December 1991— have flourished. The 1994 state visit by National Leader Heydar Aliyev to Saudi Arabia was a turning point, resulting in a General Agreement on broad cooperation in fields such as economy, investment, technology, youth, and culture.

The Azerbaijan-Saudi Joint Commission on Cooperation plays a key role in deepening bilateral ties. Its last session, held in Riyadh in April 2025, saw new initiatives in joint ventures, business-to-business ties, and investment facilitation.

Emotional day

Independence Day on May 28 is a proud and emotional day for all Azerbaijanis. Across the country, citizens celebrate through official ceremonies, cultural performances, public parades, and educational events. In the capital city of Baku, the national flag waves from every building as the nation honors the memory of those who established and defended the republic.

Today, Azerbaijan moves forward with confidence and determination—resilient in sovereignty, dynamic in development, and bold in vision. The core principles of the ADR—democracy, equality, patriotism, and international cooperation— continue to guide Azerbaijan’s national identity and international engagement.

As Azerbaijan builds a smart, sustainable, and inclusive future, it welcomes the world community, particularly its Islamic and Gulf partners, to join in shaping a peaceful and prosperous global order—founded on mutual respect, connectivity, and shared progress.