Shusha: On June 15, an international conference on the theme 'Regional Contribution to Global Security: Peacebuilding in the South Caucasus' was held in Shusha, organized by the New Azerbaijan Party. Head of the Presidential Administration's Department for Relations with Political Parties and Legislative Authority, Adalat Valiyev, read out the address of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the conference participants.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district, highlighted the revival of cities and villages in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, emphasizing the return of children's laughter in schools and kindergartens. Karimov noted the construction of modern residential complexes where former refugees and IDPs are building new lives with state-provided apartments. He stated that over 80,000 people currently live and work in these areas, with more than half being former refugees and IDPs. Additionally, approximately 30 monuments of local and national significance have been restored in Shusha.
During the panel session titled 'Peacebuilding Mechanisms: Party Diplomacy Amid Global Challenges,' Tahir Budagov, Deputy Chairman and Head of the Central Office of the New Azerbaijan Party, underscored the historical significance of June 15. He pointed to the signing of the landmark 'Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Trkiye,' derived from the philosophy of 'one nation, two states,' as a continuation of the ideology of National Salvation by Heydar Aliyev.
Contributions from Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Gurbanmammet Elyasov, Aktam Khaitov from Uzbekistan, Sayavong Bunyadet from Laos, and Pavel Voicu from Moldova emphasized the importance of political dialogue for ensuring peace and security amid global challenges. They highlighted the vital role of interparty cooperation in strengthening mutual trust between countries.
A session on 'Regional Projects and Cross-Border Cooperation: Economic Basis for Sustainable Peace' featured participation from Samil Ayrim of Trkiye, Lu Mei of China, Thun Vathana of Cambodia, Mykyta Poturaiev of Ukraine, and Malik Asif Tanveer from Pakistan. Speakers underscored the significance of regional projects and cross-border cooperation in accelerating economic growth and ensuring sustainable peace, noting the role of transport corridors, trade relations, and joint investment projects in expanding regional cooperation and fostering trust among nations.
The conference also included a panel on 'Post-conflict Reconstruction: Modern Challenges in Urban Development,' attended by Olga Chemodanova from Belarus, Umeda Abdullozoda from Tajikistan, Zlfikar Zeynula from North Macedonia, Danijela Nikolic from Serbia, and Varlam Liparteliani from Georgia. The speakers emphasized that post-conflict reconstruction involves not only rebuilding infrastructure but also ensuring social well-being, revitalizing economic activity, and creating conditions for safe returns to homelands.
The conference facilitated a broad exchange of views among politicians, parliamentarians, diplomats, and party representatives from Trkiye, China, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Serbia, Georgia, Cambodia, Laos, and other countries. Discussions focused on global security, regional cooperation, economic integration, post-conflict reconstruction, and sustainable development.