The Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) announces a call for papers on the topic of New Geopolitical Realities in the South Caucasus: Azerbaijan and the Peace Agenda. Following the historic restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, the region has entered a new phase that presents significant opportunities for peace, security, and sustainable development. This makes the exploration of Azerbaijan’s role in shaping the South Caucasus peace agenda both timely and significant.

About the Topic

The South Caucasus has long been a region marked by conflict, territorial disputes, and complex geopolitical dynamics. The resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, particularly through the 2020 Patriotic War and the subsequent counterterrorism measures in 2023, has shifted the regional landscape and created new opportunities for stability, cooperation, and economic integration. Azerbaijan’s strategic vision and initiatives now play a central role in shaping a regional peace agenda aimed at ensuring security, promoting reconciliation, and fostering sustainable development.

The year 2025 marked a series of milestone developments in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, laying a foundation for long-term stability in the South Caucasus. The first major breakthrough occurred on March 13, when the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries announced the completion of negotiations on the text of the Treaty on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations. Comprising a preamble and 17 articles, the draft treaty reflects core principles of international law, outlines the conditions for conflict termination, and establishes a framework for future bilateral cooperation.

A second significant development followed on August 8 in Washington, where, with the facilitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed the Washington Peace Declaration. Through this declaration, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the peace agenda, expressed readiness to remove the remnants of the past conflict, and signaled the opening of a new phase of normalization. During the same meeting, the parties initialed the peace treaty text and jointly called for the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, whose mediation efforts had failed to resolve the conflict. The declaration also emphasized the opening of regional communication lines, including the Zangezur Corridor (also referred to as the TRIPP Corridor - Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) as a key element in advancing sustainable peace between the two countries.

This call for papers invites young Azerbaijani scholars and students to explore the political, legal, and socio-economic dimensions of these developments, along with Azerbaijan’s emerging role as a regional peace actor.

Suggested sub-topics
Articles may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Azerbaijan’s constitutional and legal framework in supporting a regional peace agenda;

• The political, economic, and social implications of the 2020 Patriotic War and the 2023 anti-terror measures for the South Caucasus;

• Azerbaijan’s foreign policy and diplomatic initiatives in promoting regional stability;

• The Washington Peace Declaration as a milestone for regional peace and cooperation;

• Comparative analysis of peacebuilding strategies in post-conflict regions;

• The opening of the Zangezur Corridor (TRIPP Corridor) as a driver of regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and sustainable peace;

• Historical, political, and strategic perspectives on Azerbaijan’s leadership in regional peace;

• Economic reconstruction and cooperation in post-conflict areas.

Submission Guidelines

This call is specifically aimed at encouraging the research and academic endeavors of Azerbaijani youth.

• Eligibility: Only citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan aged 29 and under are eligible to participate.

• Submission: All submissions must be in a Microsoft Word-compatible format. Articles must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration by another publication at the time of submission. Times New Roman font, 12-point size, and single spacing are recommended for the main text. Article titles should be 12-point, bold, and written in uppercase letters; subheadings should be 12-point and in title case.

• Deadline: The deadline for submission is April 1, 2026.

• Language: All articles must be submitted in English.

• Length: Articles should be between 2,500 and 3,000 words.

• Style: Please use the Chicago Manual of Style for formatting, citations, and bibliography.

Awards and Publication

• Certificates and Honoraria: Certificates of recognition and honoraria will be awarded to the authors of the top three articles.

• Publication: The top three articles will be published on the AIR Center’s website.

Please submit your article along with a brief author biography (maximum 150 words) to the email address: sultan.zahidov@aircenter.az

We welcome your submissions and look forward to your valuable contribution to the scholarly discourse.