Washington Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim on his Country’s Global Role in Energy, Peace, and Diplomacy

You have served in critical diplomatic roles in NATO, Türkiye, and now the United States. How has this journey shaped your diplomatic mindset, and are there lessons you carried from Ankara or Brussels that you now find invaluable in Washington?

Thank you very much. First of all, it’s a great honor and pleasure to be with you. You always cover the most critical issues, and the entire diplomatic community appreciates all of your efforts. Thank you so much for that.

Well, not only did my postings in Brussels and Ankara shape my mindset when I came to Washington, but also my previous postings in Washington shaped my mindset when I went to Brussels and Ankara. True, I was not an Ambassador when I served here; I started as a junior diplomat, then I was Counselor at the Embassy in Washington.

The critical thing in terms of your mindset, in terms of your strategic look into the key global or regional issues, is that basically whatever is being done in Washington, whatever decisions are taken in Washington, affects everybody, including NATO and Türkiye. But at the same time, my experience in Ankara and Brussels also showed the value of allies and countries. Türkiye is an ally of the United States. We are strategic partners with the United States. We are strategic partners with NATO. And all the triangle of the relations showed me and shaped my mindset in a way that, one, we are stronger together while we work on the most critical issues, but at the same time, that Washington matters the most. Some critical decisions are made again on international issues.

Azerbaijan hosted COP29 in 2024, becoming one of the first oil and gas exporting nations to preside over the UN climate summit. In light of Azerbaijan’s ongoing expansion of gas exports and its recent climate commitments, how do you assess the balance between energy sector growth and climate obligations? What concrete steps were taken during your COP29 presidency to advance the country’s green transition?

This is a wonderful question. First of all, yes, you’re absolutely right. We are also an oil-exporting country, but we are not the only one or the first one that hosted COP in that capacity, or not just in that capacity, but being an oil-exporting country. And it’s not just my opinion, but international observers, governments, and organizations all acknowledged that the COP in Azerbaijan was among the most successful. It was even called a breakthrough because on climate financing, and some other critical issues like carbon markets, critical decisions were made.

But at the same time, what Azerbaijan did in terms of climate change and the energy transition is also very critical. A very symbolic and substantial part of it.

The substantial part is that Azerbaijan, like many other countries, understands the relevance of the issue and the need to transition to renewables. But we are doing it in a smart way. My President was very straightforward and clear about it when he spoke at COP29. We are also exporting natural gas to many European countries, which is needed. So, it’s a demand and supply matter. If European countries need it for economic continuity, if they need it during winter, we need to help them. But at the same time, yes, we have a lot of projects on renewables, including wind and solar.

Azerbaijan’s renewable energy potential is 20 times more than what we can ever consume. Therefore, we will also be exporting the energy resources that we generate from renewables. On top of that, we are cooperating with neighboring countries and some European countries to deliver electricity generated from offshore wind potential in the Caspian Sea. Together with Georgia, Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria, we have plans to build a cable under the Black Sea to transmit electricity generated from wind in Azerbaijan.

So, this is a substantial part of Azerbaijan taking action. But there is also a symbolic part, and many people sometimes ignore it. The venue where COP29 took place in Azerbaijan—and the very headquarters of COP29—is located in what was previously one of the most polluted and environmentally unfriendly areas in the country. Now, they have been completely cleaned up. The area was called Black City and is now called White City because it has become one of the most environmentally friendly locations. The site where COP29 was held is, in fact, a former polluted lake that our government dried up, cleaned, and brought to the attention of the international community.

Armenia and Azerbaijan finalized the text of a peace agreement in March 2025, marking a potential turning point in the decades-long conflict. What are the main challenges that remain before the treaty can be signed, and what role do you see for international actors in supporting a durable peace?

It’s good news. Yes, we finalized a draft peace agreement. We hope that we will be able to sign it, but as we have always said to our Armenian counterparts, there are some underlying and very substantive issues that need to be solved before signing it. Azerbaijan has a very realistic disposition, which is supported by the international community.

One of these issues is a provision in the Armenian Constitution, which still contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan. We all understand that we won’t have sustainable peace if, hypothetically, we sign a peace treaty tomorrow, but the constitution, the main law of the country, goes against it. We will not have sustainable peace. Therefore, a change in the Armenian Constitution is a must.

The second important issue that needs to be addressed is the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, which is outdated and impractical. It exists only on paper and is symbolic. Dissolving it would show that the conflict is truly over, because, in reality, it is over, and we are moving toward a more peaceful region, not only peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan but also development, prosperity, and stability.

Regarding your second question, what would be the role of international actors? Yes, international actors, including the United States, the European Union, neighboring countries, international organizations, and global companies, can invest and help us enhance connectivity, create business opportunities, and, of course, foster more ties between people.

Azerbaijan’s gas exports reached over 8 billion cubic meters in the first four months of 2025, and the country plans to further increase production and exports to the EU. How do you see Azerbaijan’s role evolving in the context of European energy security and the global energy transition?

Well, let me tell you not in my words but in the words of those who benefit from Azerbaijan’s natural gas exports. Just recently, the top European event took place in Albania, and every single leader there praised Azerbaijan for sending extra volumes of natural gas to those countries. European Union leaders were very vocal in praising Azerbaijan’s role in gas exports.

Just two days ago, there was a summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Hungary, and the Prime Minister of Hungary praised Azerbaijan for helping his country and others in terms of energy dependence and security.

So, we are just doing our job. We are trying to help our friends. We are not politicizing anything. We are making business decisions. But it’s our partners—European countries and European leaders—who appreciate Azerbaijan’s role.

We have a commitment to increase our natural gas production. We have a commitment to continue increasing our exports. And we are going to keep our word.

Azerbaijan has implemented a National Cybersecurity Strategy (2023–2027) and is investing in digital infrastructure and cyber resilience. What opportunities do you see for Azerbaijan and the U.S. to cooperate on cybersecurity, AI governance, or technology diplomacy?

The sky is the limit. We can cooperate on all these issues. We already cooperate on many security-related issues, including cybersecurity. Our main international partners in cybersecurity are countries like Türkiye and the State of Israel. We work very closely with them.

But we all understand that in today’s world, when you’re working closely with your friends and strategic partners, who also happen to be allies of the United States, then, of course, the United States is important. Inadvertently, we already have cooperation with the U.S., but we are eager to do more.

At the same time, I want to mention that in the cyber domain, we have many young Azerbaijani entrepreneurs, start-up owners, students, and researchers in Silicon Valley and other parts of the United States. These are places where opportunities exist to grow businesses, conduct research, and forge meaningful connections.

So, we’re not only talking about government-to-government or state-to-state relations. This is also about cooperation between companies, businesses, and some of the best minds.

Azerbaijan regularly organizes cultural events and outreach programs in the United States, such as the recent “Cultural Bridge: From Azerbaijan to America” event and activities by the Karabakh Foundation. How do you use culture -through music, cuisine, storytelling, or interfaith dialogue -as a diplomatic tool to shift American perceptions of Azerbaijan, especially among young people?

All of these things are an integral part of diplomatic practice. You cannot just come and tell people that your country is wonderful. You cannot just come and talk about national security or business. You should also show the softer side: cuisine, culture, music—everything. We are doing our best in that regard

And it works not only in Washington or major cities but also in faraway regions. I’ll give you one example. I was in Oklahoma and visited the Cowboy Museum. Probably no one there had ever heard of Azerbaijan. But when I went to buy a souvenir, the young man at the cashier saw my name and asked where I was from. I told him I was from Azerbaijan and that I was an Ambassador. He then showed me a YouTube channel of an Azerbaijani chef who cooks in the wilderness. He said, “He is my favorite chef. I watch him on YouTube, and I know a lot about Azerbaijan because I love how he cooks. I fell in love with your nature and everything.”

This is how it works. So, we’re trying to bring a piece of Azerbaijan through our cuisine, culture, and music. And sometimes, it’s even more effective when it comes from Americans themselves. We have people here who play Azerbaijani musical instruments. We have Americans who cook Azerbaijani dishes and who know our culture.

One of them, from the Smithsonian Museum, recently wrote a book about Azerbaijani scarves, known as kəlağayi. All of these efforts are part of our job. There are many angles to this work, and when the connection comes from the American public, from inside out, it becomes even more effective.

Azerbaijan, Israel, and the United States are exploring new formats for trilateral cooperation in security, energy, and technology. What potential do you see for this partnership to contribute to regional stability and innovation?

We have been working very closely with the United States and Israel for a long time, as I said. This cooperation has already contributed to regional security, not just in our region. If you take a broader look, for example, our collaboration with the United States in Afghanistan helped bring more stability to that country at certain points in time.

Our cooperation with the United States and Israel on various technological fronts has supported development in the region and beyond. The trilateral framework holds a lot of substance. At the same time, we believe that advancing it further is in the interest of all three countries. We will keep talking, discussing, and finding opportunities to deepen these ties. We believe the benefits will extend far beyond the Middle East or the South Caucasus.

Take the Middle Corridor, for example. It is the shortest, fastest, and most cost-effective route connecting Europe and Asia. This corridor will benefit Israel and Azerbaijan. And of course, the United States—being a global superpower and playing a role in it—would also gain from this project.

This reminds me of the large energy projects we launched in the 1990s around oil and gas. The United States championed those efforts. Major global energy companies, many of them American, got involved. As a result, we built pipelines that brought Azerbaijani -and more broadly, Caspian- oil and gas to European markets, and also to Israel, which today is one of the main consumers of Azerbaijani oil and gas.

Now, as we turn our focus to transportation and connectivity, we are not just talking about oil and gas. We are also moving other goods that can benefit Israel and neighboring countries. We view this regionally and holistically. We don’t separate anything.

We also enjoy excellent relations with Arab countries and our neighbors in the Middle East and Central Asia—some of whom are very close to Azerbaijan. We see ourselves as a unifying country. So even though your question is specifically about the U.S., Israel, and Azerbaijan, we believe these trilateral relations serve everyone’s interest. They promote cooperation over confrontation.

The reactivation of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act in 2024 affected U.S.-Azerbaijan relations, with both sides expressing hopes for renewed partnership under the current U.S. administration. How do you see the path forward for U.S.-Azerbaijan relations, particularly in light of recent regional and global developments?

There are very strong ties between the United States and Azerbaijan on almost all major global issues today. Given Azerbaijan’s strategic location, it’s inevitable that our relations with the U.S. will continue to develop. Azerbaijan plays a role in nearly every critical issue that matters to the United States. And for Azerbaijan, the U.S. is important, not just because it’s a global superpower, but also because we share many interests and values.

However, I must point out that Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which you mentioned, is a domestic political issue within the United States. It is not a national security issue, nor is it an international relations or foreign policy matter. Section 907 was imposed on Azerbaijan—unjustly, as many Americans themselves acknowledge—at a time when Azerbaijani territories were under occupation and ethnic cleansing was taking place. But it happened because certain lobbying groups in Congress pushed for it.

We have repeatedly heard that this was an unfair decision. I’ve even heard members of Congress admit it. Still, they say, “All politics is local,” and that’s why some members remain active in pushing the administration to maintain Section 907. That’s their domestic issue. My focus is on building relations. Removing this obstacle would be critical at a time when the U.S. has so many strategic interests in our region and globally.

Despite Section 907—what I would call a moral stain on those who voted for it—we have still managed to develop long-term relations with the United States. When both countries recognize the mutual need for cooperation, even pressure from groups lacking a strategic vision cannot override that understanding. I believe our relations will continue to grow—hopefully, without Section 907.

Looking ahead, what is one bold aspiration you have for Azerbaijan-U.S. relations—whether in infrastructure, policy, or cultural diplomacy—that you hope to help bring to life during your time in Washington?

That’s a very difficult question because I have so many ideas. But I remember, when I first came to Washington as Ambassador, someone at the State Department asked me a similar question: What is your top priority? I answered -education, education, education.

For some, that might not sound very strategic. But I believe it’s the most strategic goal. I don’t want to single out just one initiative, but if I see brilliant Azerbaijani students graduating at the top of their class from leading universities in the U.S., that would be a major achievement for me.

If Azerbaijani researchers are making important discoveries in the U.S., that too would be a proud moment. So, yes, education is where I see my priority.

Can you please tell us about your journey? How were you able to navigate being a spokesperson and a career diplomat? What advice would you give to young people who want to pursue the same career path?

I will be extremely honest, as I always am. When you choose a profession like diplomacy, you should be very, very careful and think very deeply. I say this to young Azerbaijani students, to Azerbaijanis who aspire to join the diplomatic service, and also to international students who visit the Embassy.

There is no silver bullet. Everyone thinks diplomacy is all about glitz, posh events, showing off, and living a beautiful life. But there are a lot of other things, complicated things, that you have to deal with. You must think about your family, your personal life, because as a diplomat, you’ll travel around the world, face different educational systems, and different cultures. That takes a toll on your family, your children, on everything.

At the same time, the most important thing, wherever you are, is that your number one priority should be your homeland -your country- and how you serve it. This is very important. If your ideas and ideals focus only on international relations, and you’re not deeply attached to your national interests, it won’t work.

I became a diplomat as a result of circumstances. I was not a natural-born diplomat. I don’t think I had the best qualifications. I’ve met many people, including at this embassy, who I believe are better suited to be diplomats or ambassadors. But this became my life because of my country’s life.

When I was a teenager, my land was under occupation. I loved math more than diplomacy. I loved chess more than international relations. Maybe I would have become a mathematician, a scientist, or maybe some kind of chess champion. I don’t think I would have made it to the World Cup, but at least I’d have been a good player.

But when you see your country suffering from injustice, and the world is not hearing its voice, you want to dedicate yourself to it. So, I decided to become a diplomat to serve my nation in this field. Many of my generation became lawyers or journalists, just to raise our country’s voice internationally.

That is my journey. Circumstances pushed me toward diplomacy. Without them, I would never have chosen this path. So again, when you’re making a career choice, it’s important to look at every aspect. Sometimes these aspects, when combined with the circumstances, make your decision feel natural. That was the case for me.

I don’t regret it. I’m very proud to serve my nation. I’m proud of the achievements of Azerbaijani diplomats – not just my own – but also proud of what we’ve achieved with our international colleagues. Because it’s not just about the region or your country. You have to work for regional peace. You have to contribute to international stability.

You can’t do it alone. You need cooperation. You need to build partnerships. And our strong cooperation with the United States, with European, Middle Eastern, Asian, African countries- you name it -will continue to yield positive results. So, it’s not just about me. I think the entire Azerbaijani diplomatic corps feels proud of that.