Just like it was the case of previous year, 2024 will go down in Azerbaijan's modern history as a year marked by significant historical achievements. Thanks to the successful domestic and foreign policies pursued by President Ilham Aliyev, steps were taken to eliminate the consequences of Armenia's occupation policy, and the presidential and parliamentary elections, marked as the Victory Elections, were held. For the first time in Azerbaijan’s statehood history, elections were held throughout the entire sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, including all cities and villages liberated from occupation. Moreover, the year was memorable for Azerbaijan, which declared the fight against neocolonialism a priority, by hosting international events and expanding initiatives in this direction. Most importantly, in 2024, Azerbaijan hosted COP29, one of the UN's highest-level climate events, which means a further increase in its international prestige. As the host country, Azerbaijan carried out organizational work at the highest level, with more than 70,000 guests and leaders of nearly 80 countries attending the event.
Victory elections held after restoration of territorial integrity
The Presidential elections held on February 7 were also recorded in the country's history as the Victory Elections, and the will of Azerbaijani people, Azerbaijani voters was reflected in the results of these elections. An important point of the election was the democratic, free and fair conduct of the processes. The fact that the process was held for the first time in Azerbaijan's history against the backdrop of ensuring the country's territorial integrity and restoring Azerbaijan’s sovereignty is of great historical significance. In his inauguration speech, the head of state expressed his deep gratitude to the people of Azerbaijan for the high confidence shown, declaring, "I have always felt and feel the support of the Azerbaijani people. This support gives me strength. I rely on this support and want to assure the people once again that I will continue to serve the people and the Fatherland with dignity."
The presidential elections reflected the will of the Azerbaijani people. Opinion polls conducted by local and international organizations before the elections, as well as exit polls conducted by international and local organizations on election day, coincide with the official results of the elections. This once again shows that the elections reflect the will and opinions of our people.
The early parliamentary elections held on September 1 once again confirmed that Azerbaijan is confidently moving along the path of democracy. Therefore, this important political event went down in the political history of Azerbaijan as one of the most democratic and free elections in all parameters. The results of the election, held throughout Azerbaijan's sovereign territory, were highly appreciated by influential political circles of the world, including popular foreign media. All opinions and information reflected the fair and transparent conduct of the elections. Ballot boxes have also been placed in Azerbaijan's territories liberated from Armenian occupation, and this is considered a historic event as parliamentary elections are being held across all territories of Azerbaijan for the first time in 30 years.
Baku Initiative Group to embrace more colonized regions in 2025
The initiative against neocolonialism that started from Baku a few years ago is becoming an international campaign in 2024, gaining global significance. With more countries are joining Azerbaijan's initiative, as colonialism is being recognized as one of the obstacles to humanity's development. Azerbaijan is among the few countries that has declared fighting against France's neocolonialism policy a priority, hosting international events, and even creating the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) of the Non-Aligned Movement. It's no coincidence that Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev addressed the neocolonialism issue during his inauguration ceremony. The head of state noted that Azerbaijan shows and will continue to show its support to completely eliminate neocolonialism and its ugly historical remnants from Earth. The President emphasized that the creation of the Baku Initiative Group, based on the results of the conference "Complete Elimination of Colonialism" held in Baku, is of crucial importance in this matter. Finally, there's serious reaction against Paris's smear colonial and destructive policies and unpunished crimes, starting a new and effective fight on the international level. This year, 17 international conferences were held on these issues, some taking place at UN headquarters in New York and Geneva. The UN Human Rights Committee also requested a report on France's colonialism in Martinique and New Caledonia.
Azerbaijan and Armenia begin delimitation talks after 33 years
In a historic first, Azerbaijan and Armenia have started delimitation and demarcation talks in 2024. According to the initial agreement reached on April 19, the delimitation of several segments of the border between Azerbaijan's Qazakh and Armenia's Tavush regions, particularly around the four villages returned to Azerbaijan's control, has been completed.
The office of Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev reported that the delimitation process has determined a 12.7-kilometer border line. This ensures the return of four villages in the Qazakh region to Azerbaijan: Baghanis Ayrim, Ashaghi Askipara, Kheyrimli, and Qizilhajili, covering an area of 6.5 square kilometers.
Azerbaijan's gift to the world: COP29
Undoubtedly, one of the most significant events of the year was Azerbaijan's successful hosting of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. By successfully hosting the event, Azerbaijan has once again gained the trust and confidence of the international community, adding another dimension to the country's growing prestige. The reception of guests, their accommodation, ensuring their security, and other matters can serve as an example of successful organization. In his speech at the opening ceremony of the COP29 Leaders’ Summit in Baku on November 12, President Ilham Aliyev stated, "We have 72,000 registered participants from 196 countries. Among them are 80 presidents, vice presidents, and prime ministers. Thus, the world has gathered in Baku, and we say to the world, 'Welcome to Azerbaijan!'"
COP29 has once again proven that Azerbaijan is a state with great influence in the world, having gained trust and respect in the eyes of the international community. By successfully organizing the session, Baku has fulfilled the hopes of those who trusted it. This is reflected in the participation of numerous heads of state and government, tens of thousands of guests at the event, and the kind words they addressed to the organizer.
The registration of 76,000 people in the following days of the session is considered a new record in the history of world climate conferences. By successfully organizing this global gathering, Azerbaijan has successfully passed another test.
So, the year 2024 went down in the history of Azerbaijan as a year rich in historical events, as we mentioned above. By hosting important international events, Azerbaijan managed to maintain its position as a regional leader. It is hoped that, finally, the year 2025 will go down in the history of Azerbaijan as the year when the final peace agreement with Armenia will be signed.