On June 24, 2026, the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) hosted a conference titled “Azerbaijan as a Middle Power: Foreign Policy, Regional Influence, and Global Participation.”

The conference was particularly timely in light of President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks at a meeting on May 25, 2026, in which he highlighted Azerbaijan’s growing role as a middle power in the evolving international order.

The event aimed to examine the outcomes of Azerbaijan’s pragmatic, balanced, and national interest-driven foreign policy in recent years, as well as its achievements in expanding international partnerships and advancing multilateral diplomacy. The discussions explored these developments through both theoretical and practical perspectives within the framework of the middle power concept.

The conference brought together the representatives of state institutions, think tanks, higher education institutions, members of parliament, experts, young researchers, and media representatives.

The first panel, moderated by AIR Center Chairman Farid Shafiyev and titled “The Concept of a Middle Power and the Experience of Azerbaijan,” was dedicated to the theoretical and conceptual foundations of the middle power model, the factors contributing to Azerbaijan’s emergence in this status, as well as the evolution and transformation of the country’s foreign policy.

Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Eldar Namazov,  AIR Center’s Leading Advisor Sultan Zahidov, and Topchubashov Center Director Rusif Huseynov shared their views on the essence of the concept of a “middle power” and its place in the modern system of international relations. They also discussed theoretical approaches to the concept, the factors underpinning Azerbaijan’s rise as a middle power, and issues related to strategic autonomy and balanced diplomacy in foreign policy.

The second panel, moderated by AIR Center Department Head Matin Mammadli and titled “Manifestations of Azerbaijan’s Regional and Global Role as a Middle Power,” focused on the activities carried out by Azerbaijan within the framework of its middle power status in the contemporary era.

During the discussions, Member of the Milli Majlis and Vice-Rector of ADA University Fariz Ismayilzade,  AIR Center’s Board Member Javid Valiyev and Director of the Center for Studies of the South Caucasus (CSSC) Farhad Mammadov delivered detailed presentations on Azerbaijan’s role in promoting regional stability and cooperation, its contributions to international energy security through energy diplomacy, its role in the development of the Middle Corridor and in strengthening international transport and communication links, as well as its growing engagement in global initiatives and international cooperation platforms.

The conference concluded with a question-and-answer session.