Mehmet Gökhan Özçubukçu: Azerbaijan is strengthening its strategic role in the global system through energy diplomacy

In recent years, the global system has been evolving toward an increasingly complex, multipolar structure marked by intensifying competition.

This was stated by Mehmet Gökhan Özçubukçu, Chairman of the Center for Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (DASAM) of Türkiye and an expert in international relations, in a comment to The Daily Baku.

According to him, ongoing crises in the Middle East, rising geopolitical tensions around Iran, the renewed prominence of competition among major powers, and fluctuations in energy markets have pushed the international system into a serious phase of transformation. He noted that these changes are affecting not only military and political balances, but also economic relations, energy security, technological competition, and global governance mechanisms.

Özçubukçu emphasized that in such a complex and multidimensional international environment, the role of international forums bringing together politicians, academics, think tank representatives, and international organizations from various countries is increasing. In this regard, international forums held in Baku stand out as important platforms for dialogue and cooperation at both regional and global levels.

He stated that one of the key functions of such forums is to allow global crises to be discussed not only through classical diplomatic channels, but also within intellectual platforms and multifaceted discussion environments. According to him, official interstate diplomacy sometimes has limited effectiveness due to political tensions, strategic rivalry, or lack of mutual trust.

“In contrast, international forums provide a more flexible and inclusive dialogue environment and create conditions for a more open exchange of views. In this respect, such platforms are of great importance for what is known in international relations theory as ‘track two diplomacy’,” he noted.

According to him, forums held in Baku bring together politicians, academics, and experts from different regions, contributing to a broader assessment of global challenges.

He added that another factor increasing the importance of such platforms is the expansion of the concept of security in recent years. While security was previously assessed mainly in terms of military power and geopolitical competition, today areas such as energy security, climate change, sustainable development, urbanization policies, and technological transformation have become integral parts of the security agenda.

Therefore, international forums involving experts from various fields enable a more comprehensive discussion of multidimensional security issues.

The expert particularly emphasized that energy security has become one of the most important items on the global political agenda in recent years. According to him, energy is not only a key driver of economic development but also a crucial factor shaping states’ foreign policy strategies and the global balance of power.

Özçubukçu noted that after the Russia–Ukraine war, Europe’s energy security challenges led to significant changes in the global energy market. European countries, which had long relied heavily on Russian energy, are now prioritizing diversification of energy sources and the creation of new supply routes.

According to him, it is precisely at this point that Azerbaijan’s role in the energy sector becomes more prominent. Azerbaijan is not only one of the most important energy producers in the Caspian region but also holds a strategic position in both regional and global energy security.

“The importance of Azerbaijan is not limited to its rich energy resources. Its key strategic advantage lies in being at the center of energy corridors that ensure the delivery of these resources to international markets,” he said.

According to him, one of the main pillars of Azerbaijan’s energy diplomacy is the Southern Gas Corridor, a multi-layered infrastructure system delivering Caspian gas to European markets.

He noted that TANAP and TAP, the main components of this system, ensure the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe via Türkiye. These projects not only contribute to diversification of energy sources but also create a new strategic energy link between Europe and the South Caucasus.

“For this reason, Azerbaijan is currently considered one of the key countries in Europe’s energy security strategy,” he stressed.

Özçubukçu added that Azerbaijan’s role in energy is not limited to Europe. The country also serves as an important bridge in establishing energy and transport connections between Central Asia and Europe.

According to him, trans-Caspian energy projects and the transport route known as the Middle Corridor further enhance Azerbaijan’s geostrategic importance. This route, extending from China through Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Türkiye to Europe, is considered an alternative and strategic pathway for global trade and energy transportation.

He noted that these factors enable Azerbaijan to become not only an energy producer but also one of Eurasia’s key logistics and strategic connectivity hubs.

Özçubukçu emphasized that the inclusion of energy security issues on the agenda of international forums held in Baku is particularly important. According to him, energy security is closely linked not only to production and consumption but also to geopolitical competition, infrastructure security, investment policies, and regional cooperation mechanisms.

He added that such forums create opportunities for countries to discuss their energy policies, develop new areas of cooperation, and establish a more stable and sustainable balance in energy markets.

At the same time, he noted that topics such as climate change and sustainable urbanization are also of great importance in international forums. Rapid urbanization, environmental risks, and sustainable use of natural resources have become key elements of global security.

He also pointed out that another major topic on the agenda of international forums in recent years is the impact of artificial intelligence and new technologies on the global security system. In his view, AI technologies have the potential to reshape global balance across multiple areas, from defense systems and cybersecurity to economic competition and information security.

Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important for the international community to establish common principles regarding the ethical use, security aspects, and legal frameworks of these technologies.

In conclusion, Özçubukçu stressed that Baku’s hosting of such international forums demonstrates Azerbaijan’s growing role in the global system.

According to him, Azerbaijan’s geographical position between Europe and Asia and its status as one of the main economic centers of the South Caucasus strengthen its importance. The country’s multidimensional foreign policy has enabled it to maintain balanced relations with both Western countries and regional states.

He concluded that Azerbaijan has become not only an energy producer but also an important platform for regional diplomacy, economic cooperation, and international dialogue.

“International forums held in Baku increase Azerbaijan’s visibility in the global diplomatic network and create an important platform for exchange of ideas and cooperation between different regions. This strengthens Azerbaijan’s position as a key actor for stability and cooperation across the broader Eurasian space,” he said.