Major International Conference on Cultural Heritage and Right of Return in Baku
Baku (The Gulf Observer) — The Western Azerbaijan Community convened the third international conference titled “Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Displaced from Armenia as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace” in Baku, drawing participation from about 100 foreign guests and experts from more than 60 countries, alongside over 100 Azerbaijani scholars, public figures, government representatives, and members of Parliament.
The event opened with a video presentation showcasing the domestic and international activities of the Western Azerbaijan Community and underscoring the consistent attention given to the issue by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev.
Adalat Valiyev, Head of the Presidential Administration’s Department for Relations with Political Parties and Legislative Authority, delivered President Ilham Aliyev’s official address to the conference participants.
In his opening remarks, Aziz Alakbarli, Chairman of the Western Azerbaijan Community, MP of the Milli Majlis, and Chairman of the Initiative Group for Return, stressed that the Community’s central mission is to ensure the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of Azerbaijanis who were expelled from Armenia over the past two centuries. He underlined that recognition of the right of return is essential for sustainable coexistence between Armenians and Azerbaijanis within the framework of the ongoing peace process. Alakbarli appealed to the international community to support this just and necessary process.
Speaking on behalf of foreign participants, Samil Ayrim, member of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and Honorary Member of the Western Azerbaijan Community, conveyed a message of solidarity. He described the deportations of Western Azerbaijanis as a severe crime against humanity and a historical injustice that had altered the regional balance. Emphasizing Türkiye’s unwavering support for Azerbaijan, he warned of the risks posed by Armenia’s transformation into a monoethnic state, asserting that return is vital for promoting justice and ensuring lasting peace.
Following the opening ceremony, seven representatives from Türkiye, the United States, South Africa, Italy, Lithuania, and Egypt who have actively supported the Western Azerbaijan issue were awarded honorary membership certificates of the Western Azerbaijan Community.
Panel Discussions
The first panel, moderated by Azerbaijani MP and ADA University Vice-Rector Fariz Ismailzade, focused on the legal and moral dimensions of the right of return. Speakers included Professor Yaşar Sarı of Ibn Khaldun University, French historian Maxime Gauvin, Harvard University Research Fellow Mark Nathan Kramer, and Professor Carlos Uriarte from a Spanish pan-European organization. They evaluated the role of the right of return in inter-state relations and outlined Armenia’s humanitarian obligations in accordance with international norms.
The second panel, moderated by UK representative Klaus-Peter Ralph Jürgens, examined the protection and restoration of tangible cultural heritage. Contributions came from Muhammad Sohail Sajid, Advocate of Pakistan’s Supreme Court; Carlo Marino, Vice President of the Italy-Azerbaijan Association; Astrid Nadia Rizgita, President of Indonesia’s OIS Youth Organization; and American academic Michael Martin Gunther. Speakers provided legal perspectives on the destruction of Azerbaijani heritage in Armenia and discussed potential mechanisms for reconstruction.
The third panel, moderated by Polish AVIM representative Jakub Korejba, focused on intangible cultural heritage, including ashug art, music, folklore, oral traditions, and memory culture. Panelists emphasized the importance of culture in preserving the identity of displaced communities and explored ways to introduce the rich heritage of Western Azerbaijan to global audiences.
The final panel examined opportunities for enhancing international cooperation to safeguard the right of return. Discussions centered on reinforcing global solidarity, strengthening inter-organizational partnerships, and improving the implementation of international legal frameworks.
Closing Session
Professor Hüseyin Işıksal, Honorary Member of the Western Azerbaijan Community and professor at the International University of Graduates, presented the final document of the conference. Following this, the Chairman of the Community’s Control and Audit Commission, Professor Vahid Novruzov, praised the successful outcomes of the gathering and extended gratitude to participants for supporting the Community’s just cause.
The conference concluded with the formal presentation of the final document of the 3rd International Conference on “Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return,” reaffirming the importance of restoring the rights and cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis displaced from Armenia as a foundation for justice, reconciliation, and enduring peace.
