Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) Farid Shafiyev and leading advisor Roza Bayramli attended the 12th Meeting of the CICA Think Tank Forum themed “Asia’s New Role in a Multipolar World” on October 24-25, in Shangai, China.

Addressing the first session titled “Development of a Multipolar World from an Asian Perspective,” AIR Center Chairman Farid Shafiyev drew attention to Azerbaijan’s commitment to multilateralism and the supremacy of international law since regaining its independence.

Touching on the CICA Council of Foreign Ministers meeting decision dated March 19, 2024, F. Shafiyev said that, as part of its leadership role, Azerbaijan is set to host the CICA Council of Foreign Ministers in 2024 and the Council of Heads of State and Government summit in 2026.

Speaking about the growing significance of the Caspian region in the context of increased geopolitical standoff and volatility of international trade routes, the AIR Center Chairman noted that traditionally the countries of the Caspian region tried to maintain balance between major geopolitical actors. However, some global and regional players are trying to put the countries of the Caspian region in front of a choice.

“This policy is flawed and non-constructive.”

Farid Shafiyev said that the principles of international law, such as territorial integrity and sovereignty, have been challenged by global powers, making the current world order more fragile and fragmented.

Touching on Azerbaijan-China cooperation, F. Shafiyev called the Joint Declaration to Establish a Strategic Partnership signed between the parties in July 2024 a significant milestone. According to him, Azerbaijan is deepening ties with China both at the bilateral level and within the framework of the Shangai Cooperation Organization.

Highlighting the development of cooperation with Central Asia as a priority for Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, F. Shafiyev noted that this cooperation is primarily realized within the Organization of Turkic States, and apart from political and economic cooperation, the parties enjoy close partnerships in the fields of renewable energy as well as information technology.

Addressing the side event on “Emerging Forces in CICA,” AIR Center’s leading advisor Roza Bayramli drew attention to the imbalance in women’s representation in the foreign policy and security realms. Quoting from the 2020 survey conducted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, she noted that only 60 out of 190 countries participating in the survey had women as foreign ministers. 

The leading advisor pointed out women’s role in peacekeeping activities, highlighting this factor as one of the crucial elements of sustainable and effective peace negotiations.

To recap, organized by the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, the meeting brought together experts and officials from member countries.