Peace in practice: How President Ilham Aliyev turned South Caucasus into model for Board of Peace

[ad_1] BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 20. The primary assembly of the Board of Peace, held on February 19, 2026, in Washington, D.C., grew to become an occasion that went far past protocol diplomacy. It marked the emergence of a brand new structure of worldwide engagement based mostly on the ideas of accountability, mutual respect, and sensible peacebuilding. On this course of, the function of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, assumed specific significance - a pacesetter who understands the true value of peace and has demonstrated in observe a steadfast dedication to the ideas of peaceable coexistence.

For many years, the South Caucasus remained a zone of rigidity. Azerbaijan endured a protracted battle, human losses, and an extraordinarily advanced negotiation course of. It's exactly for this motive that Baku’s place on peace is grounded not in summary declarations however in actual historic expertise. The initialing of the peace settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia on August 8, 2025, in Washington confirmed President Ilham Aliyev’s constant course towards attaining a sustainable settlement.

In his letter, President Donald Trump formally invited Azerbaijan to affix the "Constitution of the Board of Peace" as a founding nation: "As Chairman of the Board, I formally invite the Republic of Azerbaijan to affix as a Founding Member State, and develop into a celebration to the Constitution of The Board of Peace, as represented by you." This invitation grew to become a logical continuation of joint initiatives aimed toward attaining peace within the area.

In response, President Ilham Aliyev emphasised the strategic significance of Azerbaijan’s participation. "I settle for this invitation as an indication of mutually respectful and helpful partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the USA of America, and as a recognition of Azerbaijan's function within the promotion of peace and stability on the regional and world ranges," the top of state famous in his reply.

These letters set the tone for interplay between the leaders throughout the first assembly of the Board of Peace. On the occasion, Donald Trump underscored the historic significance of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "I achieved peace between two very necessary international locations and I'll always remember it. They're good individuals, however they're powerful. I feel they've develop into buddies. This was an incredible factor that you simply and your new pal did. We labored out for twenty-four hours, and it was a superb piece," he stated.

This evaluation demonstrates that the profitable decision of a regional battle has develop into a sensible instance upon which the work of the brand new worldwide group is being constructed.

In flip, U.S. Vice President JD Vance highlighted the significance of management and partnership. "We're grateful in your partnership, and specifically to the President of Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister of Armenia, who I simply noticed final week, thanks all for making it attainable and for displaying what actual management can accomplish. That is what the Board of Peace, I feel, is essentially about, is making the peace stick. And it is an unbelievable factor that you simply guys have all finished. So to the entire leaders gathered right here right this moment who're investing sooner or later, who are investing in peace, we're grateful to you," the Vice President acknowledged.

His remarks organically join the expertise of concluding the battle within the South Caucasus with the mission of the Board of Peace - making certain the sturdiness of peace agreements.

On the sidelines of the assembly, President Ilham Aliyev additionally held a casual dialog with the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. This as soon as once more demonstrates that Azerbaijan stays open to dialogue. Baku’s sensible expertise is changing into an instance of how a post-conflict nation can take part in shaping the worldwide structure of peace.

At present, the circumstances have been created for the ultimate signing and ratification of the peace settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This path - from battle to institutionalized peace - lends specific significance to the nation’s participation within the Board of Peace. Azerbaijan is able to providing the world not a theoretical mannequin, however a practice-tested method that mixes political firmness with readiness for dialogue.

Azerbaijan’s participation within the first assembly of the member states of the Board of Peace is a pure stage in its overseas coverage growth. The function of President Ilham Aliyev demonstrates that peace isn't a tactical compromise, however a strategic goal of state and regional growth. Standing on the brink of a last peace settlement after 30 years of battle, the nation is able to share its expertise and contribute to the formation of a extra sustainable and safe world order.