At the 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum, President Ilham Aliyev addressed participants with remarks covering Azerbaijan’s climate vision, regional connectivity, and post-conflict reconstruction.
President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s environmentally conscious path, describing it as “ecologically sound.”
“We do not use coal or fuel oil to produce electricity,” he said, highlighting Azerbaijan’s reliance on hydropower, natural gas, and growing solar capabilities.
By 2030, Azerbaijan plans to generate at least 6 gigawatts of green energy, including from more than 30 small hydropower stations already operational in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur.
The president also stressed the need for realism in climate action:
“Without oil and gas, the world cannot function in the foreseeable future. Planes can’t fly. Economies will stall.”
He noted that Azerbaijan has pledged $10 million to support small island developing states facing existential climate threats. The country also played a key role in securing agreement on Article 6 at COP29 — resolving a decade-long stalemate on carbon markets.
President Aliyev highlighted the symbolic transformation of Khankendi, where the ECO Summit of Heads of State was held in a newly built Congress Hall, erected on the site of a former separatist building.
“This hall now receives presidents, not separatists,” he said. A hotel is also under construction nearby, and the area has been renamed Victory Square.
Renovation is underway to convert the former separatist OPCOM building into a museum, marking a new chapter for the city.
President Aliyev said Azerbaijan estimates the initial capacity of the Zangezur Corridor at 15 million tonnes of cargo. He noted that construction of the railway is nearly complete up to the border junction with Armenia and Iran, and the Azerbaijani section is expected to be finished by spring next year.
“The realisation of the Zangezur Corridor will essentially open a new branch of the North–South corridor,” he said.
“This is not only the often-mentioned route through Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to Rasht, but also a path through Eastern Zangezur and other parts of the region, linking to Iran and then on to Türkiye. It opens up major prospects for expanding freight flows.”
The president described the Shusha Global Media Forum as an emerging tradition.
“With each year, we see more participants and wider geographic representation,” he noted.
He emphasised that such platforms must not only address media topics, but also engage with pressing global issues:
“There is a strong need for open discussion, in an open environment.”
Responding to a question from a Ukrainian journalist, President Aliyev shared Azerbaijan’s principle of resistance:
“My answer is the same: never, never give in. Never reconcile with the violation of your territorial integrity. This is how we achieved results.”
He underscored the importance of resilience, stating that Azerbaijan’s determination was key to restoring its territorial integrity.
Following the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, the prospects for stability, security, and regional development have become clearer and more attainable, President Ilham Aliyev said during a meeting with participants of the 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum.
He noted that these conditions play a crucial role in advancing regional connectivity projects.
“A country cannot become a transit hub without strong ties with its neighbours,” the president stated. “In fact, we must also maintain good relations with the neighbours of our neighbours.”
Aliyev added that Azerbaijan has pursued active diplomacy and built a reputation as a reliable partner.
“Over the past decade, we have focused on building trust. We have shown that our word carries as much weight as our signature — and this continues to be the case today,” he said.
President Ilham Aliyev expressed optimism about a new chapter in U.S.–Azerbaijan relations following President Donald Trump’s return to office. He said recent interactions with the Trump administration clearly show that the two countries are “back to normal relations” after a period of tension under President Biden.
Aliyev criticised the previous administration’s stance, particularly the reimposition of sanctions first introduced in 1992 due to what he described as “fake news” shaped by pro-Armenian lobbying. He noted that despite Azerbaijan’s support for U.S. missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, relations deteriorated as a result of what he called unfriendly steps.
Now, with encouraging signals from Washington and a foundation of shared values, Aliyev sees strong potential for renewed cooperation in areas such as energy, security, and connectivity. He expressed confidence that upcoming milestones will further elevate the partnership.
President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to supporting African countries in the fight against climate change, calling it a key priority on the country’s agenda. Speaking in his capacity as COP29 President, Aliyev said Azerbaijan would establish a special cooperation format with small island developing states, which face existential threats due to rising sea levels. “We understand this reality, because their very survival depends on ocean levels,” he stressed.
During the Shusha Global Media Forum, President Ilham Aliyev responded to a question about the AZAL aircraft that crashed seven months ago. He expressed regret that no official response had been received from Russian authorities. “We know exactly what happened, and so do they,” he said. The president called for accountability, including an admission of fault, punishment of those responsible, and compensation for the victims’ families and for damages to the aircraft. “Our demand is natural,” he added.
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