Political analyst: Azerbaijan’s participation in the Peace Council means a new role in the global security architecture

Although the Peace Council was initially established at the initiative of U.S. President Donald Trump with the aim of achieving peace in the Gaza conflict, it is expected to operate as an international organization and to play a role in shaping a new global security architecture in the future. In this context, U.S. interest in Azerbaijan’s representation within the Peace Council is by no means accidental.

Political analyst Asif Narimanli expressed these views in a statement to The Daily Baku.

According to him, while some states were invited to the Council primarily to increase the number of participants, Azerbaijan was invited with a completely different status. “As the leading state of the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan was not invited to the Peace Council for purely formal participation, but to ensure the effectiveness of the Council’s activities and to make a real contribution to strengthening global security. This shows that Azerbaijan is perceived not merely as a regional, but already as a global actor,” he said.

Narimanli noted that, at the current stage, Azerbaijan could play an important unifying mission on the Gaza issue, which is the main focus of the Council. “Azerbaijan maintains high level relations with Israel and Palestine, the direct parties to the Gaza conflict, as well as with Türkiye and Arab countries that play an active role in the process. This factor enables Azerbaijan to bring all parties together around a common position and to contribute to the implementation of Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza,” he stated.

According to the analyst, this mission will also open new opportunities for Azerbaijan’s Middle East policy. “In particular, new prospects are emerging for Azerbaijan in terms of expanding political and economic cooperation with countries of the region. Azerbaijan can act not only as a mediator, but also as a reliable platform for dialogue,” he added.

Narimanli emphasized that Azerbaijan’s experience in achieving peace in the South Caucasus and in promoting global solidarity is of particular importance for ensuring international security. “During the global pandemic crisis in 2020, while many major states withdrew from active engagement, Azerbaijan put forward important initiatives to ensure international solidarity and succeeded in doing so. Initiatives supported by the UN on a common approach by European and Asian countries in combating the pandemic and on the fair distribution of vaccines are clear examples,” he said.

He added that Azerbaijan, as a state building a period of peace in the South Caucasus, has consistently demonstrated a unifying position even amid competition driven by geopolitical interests. “Baku has acted as a venue for dialogue, creating a platform for cooperation rather than confrontation. This approach shows that Azerbaijan can make a real contribution to the construction of the international security architecture,” the analyst noted.

The political analyst believes that Azerbaijan may also put forward new global initiatives within the framework of the Peace Council. “For example, issues vital for global security such as the development of interfaith dialogue and the promotion of multiculturalism could be areas Azerbaijan takes responsibility for. This could turn Azerbaijan into one of the intellectual and political centers of the Peace Council and further strengthen its global standing,” he said.

Narimanli concluded that Azerbaijan’s leading role in the Peace Council once again confirms that the country is perceived as a responsible and reliable partner in the emerging new world order.