Azerbaijan rises as central energy player with green transition and diplomatic reach

WNAM REPORT: At the international forum “Facing the New World Order,” held at ADA University on April 9, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev presented a robust and multifaceted vision for Azerbaijan’s role in global energy security. Speaking to a diverse group of international analysts, journalists, and academics, President Aliyev detailed Azerbaijan’s evolving strategy as a regional energy hub and political bridge connecting Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. The president’s comments revealed a carefully crafted geopolitical strategy rooted in geography, infrastructure, and pragmatic diplomacy. Far from being a passive player, Azerbaijan is positioning itself as a key driver of connectivity and energy diversification in a world that is rapidly reassessing its energy alliances. Geopolitical geography meets strategic infrastructure Azerbaijan’s unique geographic location—nestled between Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East—forms the foundation of its foreign policy. President Aliyev emphasized how this geography is not only a physical reality but also a springboard for broader political and economic engagement. “Our policy is based on that geography,” Ilham Aliyev noted, “and we’ve established strong ties with our neighbors across the Caspian and to the south.” He highlighted long-standing strategic partnerships with European nations and deepening economic ties with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Central Asian republics. This geographic centrality is matched by sustained investment in infrastructure. Azerbaijan’s port facilities, shipbuilding capabilities, and railway links underpin the Middle Corridor—a key east- west transit route connecting China to Europe via Central Asia and the South Caucasus. As global interest in Central Asia intensifies, President Aliyev made it clear: “It’s enough to look at the map to understand that Azerbaijan cannot be avoided.”