Azerbaijan declares 2025 Year of Constitution and Sovereignty to cement democratic foundations and post-war gains

Azerbaijan has officially declared 2025 as the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty with President Ilham Aliyev’s Order to mark this occasion. The order highlights the full restoration of the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, in line with the principles enshrined in the Constitution of Azerbaijan. The declaration is made in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution and the 5th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War.

The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, prepared under the direct leadership of the National Leader of Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and adopted by popular vote on November 12, 1995, laid the foundation for building a democratic and legal state in this country and established the provision of human rights as the supreme goal of the state.

The 1995 Constitution was in itself a turning point of Azerbaijani history. Drafted under the leadership of President Heydar Aliyev, it provided a stable foundation for governance, the protection of citizens’ rights, and the institutionalization of national sovereignty. By declaring 2025 to be the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty, emphasizes that these two ideas are still the foundations of the state of Azerbaijan. It is not a symbolic act only. The President has signed off on a detailed Action Plan to turn this declaration into real initiatives like forums, open debates, training programs, and reforms designed to strengthen the rule of law and reinforce state structures. The Constitutional Court, Milli Majlis, and other national institutions have already contributed to this effort, highlighting the very centrality of the Constitution in Azerbaijan’s political and legal life.

Focus on sovereignty is equally important. For almost three decades, a fifth of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory was under Armenia’s occupation, something that served as a reminder of the nation’s incomplete independence. That situation changed in 2020, when Azerbaijan won the Patriotic War. Under the strong and far-sighted leadership of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, the nation regained its territorial integrity and reasserted its sovereignty according to international law. The liberation of the occupied lands not only realized a national dream long held, but also proved that Azerbaijan, relying on its own resources, was able to maintain justice where international mechanisms proved ineffective. This achievement is rightly regarded as one of the greatest successes of His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev’s presidency as for the first time in three decades, the Azerbaijani state exercises sovereignty over its entire territory.

The years following the war have established a new era for Azerbaijan. After regaining control of its territories, the nation has initiated one of the most ambitious reintegration and reconstruction programs in the post-Soviet realm. Cities such as Shusha, Fuzuli, Aghdam, and Zangilan are being rebuilt with new infrastructure, smart city technology, airports, and highway networks. Formerly displaced persons are being prepared to go back to their native places in security and dignity, ending one of the globe’s longest internal displacement crises. This huge government-driven campaign is directly overseen by President Aliyev and represents the power to transform disfigured sovereignty: what was once a conflict area is now being transformed into a dynamic part of Azerbaijan’s future.

The post-war scenario has also changed Azerbaijan’s geopolitical position. Victorious in war and firm in peace, Baku has emerged as a determining regional force. It has proved that sovereignty is not negotiable and that Azerbaijan will defend its rights if need be. This has not only raised national self-confidence but also elevated Azerbaijan’s status internationally. By grounding its actions on international law and by tying its domestic rule to constitutional values, Azerbaijan presents itself as a modern, strong, and legitimate state. His Excellency President Aliyev has successfully positioned the country as a reliable regional player, negotiating between neighbors and world powers while protecting national interests.

By declaring 2025 as the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty, therefore, Azerbaijan pursues multiple objectives. It ties together the memory of constitutional statehood and the lived experience of sovereignty restored after decades of resistance. It reminds the people of the sacrifices made in the war and the importance of consolidating peace through law, reconstruction, and national unity. It teaches the younger generation what independence and sovereignty are, instilling pride in the legal system of the state as well as in the bravery of the Azerbaijani troops. And it highlights President Ilham Aliyev’s key role as the defender of sovereignty and constitutional order, a man who brought victory in war and now leads the nation towards prosperity in peace.

The year 2025 is the perfect moment for this celebration, full of meaning and relevance. It emphasizes the continuity between the constitutional foundations laid three decades ago, restored sovereignty on the battlefield, and reconstruction efforts defining the future.

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