Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

On April 20, a republican scientific conference titled “Political-Theoretical Foundations and Ideological Line of the Development Path of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the restoration of state independence, was held at the Central Scientific Library of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).

The event, organized by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, brought together ANAS staff, as well as public and political figures, intellectuals, well-known political scientists and commentators, researchers, and media representatives.

Opening the event with a keynote speech, President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbeyli, stated that the conference holds special significance both scientifically and in socio-political terms. He described the conference, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Azerbaijan’s independence, as an important platform for analyzing the key stages of the history of independent statehood on a scientific basis. He noted that the conference is not only about recalling historical facts, but also an important opportunity for an in-depth study of the political-theoretical foundations of the idea of independent statehood.

In his speech, Academician Isa Habibbeyli addressed the history of the Azerbaijani people’s struggle for independence, noting that despite its existence of only 23 months, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic constituted an important stage in the history of national statehood. The ADR laid the political, legal, and ideological foundations of the modern Azerbaijani state and established the basis for the idea of national independence.

The ANAS president emphasized that the preservation, development, and transformation of the idea of independent statehood into a real political line is directly associated with National Leader Heydar Aliyev. He noted that at a time when the Soviet Union suppressed national identities, the celebration of the 840th anniversary of Nizami Ganjavi at Heydar Aliyev’s initiative became a significant historical event for sustaining the ideology of Azerbaijanism.

According to him, the restoration and strengthening of Azerbaijan’s state independence were made possible precisely due to the political will and foresight of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Even during his time working in Moscow, Heydar Aliyev provided ideological and political support to Azerbaijan’s National Liberation Movement and openly declared the inevitability of this struggle.

Highlighting the significance of Heydar Aliyev’s statement during the January 20 events, made at great personal risk, the ANAS president noted that the speech went down in history not only for Azerbaijan but as an open political declaration of the idea of independence across the former Soviet space.

“The Azerbaijani people will never forget Heydar Aliyev’s services in elevating the tricolor flag to the political level before the collapse of the Soviet Union,” Academician Isa Habibbeyli said, adding that under the leadership of the National Leader, Azerbaijan developed across all sectors and became a state with a strong voice in the system of international relations.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli noted that today the political course defined by the National Leader is being consistently and successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev.

He emphasized that the liberation of lands that had been under occupation for nearly thirty years, and the full restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and state sovereignty, represent one of the most important and glorious stages of the country’s modern history. He stated that President Ilham Aliyev’s principled policy on the international stage and the processes related to the opening of the Zangezur corridor clearly demonstrate Azerbaijan’s growing geopolitical role in the region and the world.

The ANAS president подчеркнул that the head of state, as the victorious leader of a victorious nation, enjoys special authority among world leaders, noting that President Ilham Aliyev’s speech at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum once again confirmed Azerbaijan’s leading position on issues of global peace and security.

Academician Isa Habibbeyli said that today’s conference, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of state independence, provides a strong impetus for a deeper and more scientifically grounded study of the history of independence. He noted that Azerbaijani scholars should conduct fundamental research in all areas of the humanities and social sciences through the prism of the ideology of Azerbaijanism and contribute to the academic community with dissertations and monographs.

Then Asif Usubaliyev, sector head of the Department for Relations with Political Parties and Legislative Authority of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan and PhD in Political Science, delivered a presentation titled “Policy Shaping the New Reality.”

Asif Usubaliyev described ANAS’s focus on this topic as a highly important and encouraging development. According to him, discussing new political realities in the academic sphere creates conditions for the formation of diverse approaches. The speaker noted that there are numerous theoretical and practical perspectives for interpreting this topic.

He emphasized the importance of viewing today’s event as the beginning of future processes, noting that the discussion of issues concerning society and the search for mechanisms to address them should be conducted on such scientific platforms.

“Political theories and scientific approaches are among the main intellectual pillars ensuring the country’s sustainable development,” Asif Usubaliyev said, adding that ideology is one of the key conditions for a nation’s development and serves as an inexhaustible intellectual resource from a strategic perspective. According to him, amid global political and ideological trends, the protection of national interests and the formation of resilience depend on ideological sustainability. The speaker noted the leading role of science in this process and stressed the importance of properly integrating scientific knowledge into society and taking coordinated, consistent steps in this direction.

The speaker noted that one of the defining features of current political processes within the country is political dialogue. He stated that political dialogue is one of the leading and strategic directions of domestic policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev.

Asif Usubaliyev emphasized that political dialogue is not only a mechanism of mutual communication, but also an important political tool serving to ensure ideological cohesion in society. The preservation of political diversity is one of the key conditions of democratic development, and political dialogue ensures the healthy maintenance of this diversity and the constructive reconciliation of differing views.

The sector head added that the development of political dialogue on an institutional basis contributes to strengthening social stability, reinforcing national unity, and ensuring long-term political sustainability.

According to him, the role of heads of state and political leaders is decisive in ensuring sustainable development, enhancing international reputation, and conducting effective policy. Their strategic governance skills are among the main factors determining the progress of their respective states. In this regard, President Ilham Aliyev is recognized as one of the globally respected political leaders and prominent statesmen.

Asif Usubaliyev noted that one of the key features characterizing the head of state’s political activity is his open and principled stance. He does not hesitate to express his position on international and regional issues, and his firm statements are consistently based on national interests. The main objective of this political line is to preserve stability and national cohesion within the country.

“Strengthening national cohesion is possible not only through political decisions, but also through the formation of a healthy ideological environment in society,” the speaker said, adding that political ideology serves as one of the main mechanisms uniting society and harmonizing different views around common national interests. Policy based on ideological foundations contributes to preserving national unity, ensuring social stability, and successfully implementing the state’s long-term development strategy.

At the event, Director of the South Caucasus Research Center, PhD in Philosophy Farhad Mammadov presented a report on “Regional Policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus”; Head of the Department of History of Philosophy and Cultural Studies at Baku State University, Professor Rabiyyat Aslanova spoke on “The Role of the Intellectual Elite in the Modernization of Society”; Director of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Professor Ilham Mammadzade presented “Political Science, Philosophy and the Problem of Ideological Line”; Deputy Director of the same institute, Doctor of Historical Sciences Eynulla Madatli delivered “Azerbaijan–Iran Relations in the Context of a Changing World Order”; Head of Department, Doctor of Philosophy Fuzuli Gurbanov spoke on “Artificial Intelligence Strategy in Azerbaijan and Its Impact on the Development of Science”; Head of Department, Professor Rana Mirzazade presented “The First Vice-Presidency in Azerbaijan as an Innovative Political-Administrative Institution”; Head of the Law Department of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Professor Isakhan Valiyev delivered “Constitutional-Legal Foundations of State Sovereignty and the Problem of Dialogue”; and Leading Researcher at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, PhD in Philosophy, Associate Professor Sholet Zeynalov presented “The Role of Science in Political Dialogue and Prospects for Societal Development.”

The conference then continued its work in panel sessions.

During the panel sessions, reports were presented and discussions held on topics such as “Political-Theoretical, Philosophical, Sociological and Ideological Foundations of the Development Path of the Republic of Azerbaijan,” “A Conceptual View of Independent Azerbaijan’s International Relations,” “Factors Determining Victory in the Patriotic War and the Roadmap to Sovereignty,” “Soft Power Policy of Modern Azerbaijan: Cultural, Social and Gender Components,” “Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Directions of Scientific Development,” and “Dialogue and Multiparty System in Azerbaijan’s Politics.”

Translation by Gulhane Aghayeva, Department of Public Relations, Press, and Information, Presidium of ANAS.

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