Azerbaijan sits at the crossroads of two of the world's most active conflict zones, yet President Ilham Aliyev maintained a message of optimism during his opening remarks at the Shusha Global Media Forum on Monday. Addressing a gathering of the world's top media professionals, Aliyev stated, “We believe peace is possible.” He argued that for peace to be lasting, it must be just, fair, and firmly rooted in international law rather than the personal ambitions or agendas of any single party. He issued a direct appeal to neighboring nations to act with responsibility, stop escalations, and prioritize the normalization of relations.
Beyond regional security, Aliyev highlighted the strategic importance of Azerbaijan’s transport and connectivity corridors. He noted that the ongoing instability in the Middle East has made these routes increasingly attractive to international partners. This geopolitical positioning is complemented by Azerbaijan's expanding energy footprint. Aliyev confirmed that the nation has begun supplying natural gas to Germany and Austria this year, marking a significant step in its strategy to broaden its presence in the European market. Currently, Azerbaijan provides pipeline gas to 16 countries, including 14 within Europe, and is actively negotiating with additional European Union member states to initiate or increase supplies.
The president emphasized that future growth in these sectors depends heavily on investment in transport infrastructure and a greater sense of certainty from European partners. “We need long-term contracts,” Aliyev said, explaining that dramatic increases in production require substantial capital investment. He expressed concern over the potential for sudden shifts in demand, questioning what the country would do if partners suddenly decided they no longer required Azerbaijani energy. He added that he hopes the current eruption of regional conflicts will not be long-lasting.
During the forum, Aliyev also addressed Azerbaijan's standing with the Parliamentary Assembly. He confirmed that the country is unequivocally considering leaving that structure, stating that they will only return if the delegation's voting rights are restored. He maintained that the assembly made an unjust decision and must acknowledge its mistakes, noting that the organization’s secretary general had personally asked him to reconsider the move.
The forum, held under the theme “The Mission of the Media in Promoting Peace: Restoring Truth and Rebuilding Trust,” also featured contributions from various international experts. Sohail Mahmood, Secretary General of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, highlighted that responsible reporting is increasingly important as audiences seek reliable information in a crowded media landscape. He noted that credibility remains the most important factor for the public. Dr. Zaid AlNawaiseh, Secretary General of Jordan’s Ministry of Government Communication, described the media as a form of “soft power” and a vital bridge for peace, asserting that the true mission of journalism is to shed light on the truth rather than lose it.
Disinformation emerged as a central theme throughout the event, with participants including policymakers and journalists discussing the difficulties of navigating the truth. Leon Cook, founder of the London-based strategic communications consultancy Atticus Partners, identified disinformation as the key challenge of the 21st century, stating, “Media is both a problem and a solution. Disinformation, unfortunately, is here to stay.” The Shusha Global Media Forum is scheduled to continue until Tuesday, providing a platform for broadcasters, editors, and specialists to discuss how journalism can respond to conflict, counter disinformation, and rebuild public confidence at a time when information has become a critical element of international affairs.
"And if at a certain point we will be told that, ‘Thank you, goodbye, we don’t need you guys any longer,’ then what are we going to do?”
Drawing on Azerbaijan’s own experience, he said lasting peace could only be achieved through respect for international law.
