Azerbaijan's Foreign Policy and Strategic Regional Dynamics Discussed in 16th AHA! Hour

On 21 March 2025, the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) held its 16th episode of AHA! Hour: A Knowledge Sharing Session. Ms. Andrea Kristine G. Molina, Chief Research Officer of the Foreign Service Institute’s Biodiversity Studies and Special Projects Section, introduced the City of Baku in Azerbaijan and its diplomatic landscape, foreign policy approach, history, and culture.

As Baku nor Azerbaijan is not a commonly known country, Ms. Molina first shared basic facts on its population, official language, and currency among others, which was the inspiration of the episode’s title “Baku Basics.” She also illustrated Azerbaijan’s geographic position in the world map, allowing the audience to visualize how far it is from the Philippines.

Ms. Molina participated in the Advanced Foreign Service Program for Foreign Diplomats (AFSP) in Baku, Azerbaijan from 1 to 15 June 2024. It was hosted by ADA University in collaboration with the Institute for Development and Diplomacy (IDD) and the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) and was participated by 21 participants from 14 countries.

In her discussion, she presented insights gained from the program. She described Azerbaijan as a secular and progressive Muslim nation as it was the first Muslim country to grant women the right to vote in 1918. She also showed videos from the sites they visited—either as part of the program or from her personal visits. Examples of Azerbaijani cuisine were also exhibited such as their staples: dolma, kebabs, qutab, and freshly baked tendir bread.

Some presentation highlights include the introduction of Baku as an energy superpower of the Caspian Sea, wherein oil and gas accounts for a large portion of its GDP and exports. With its strategic geographical location, Azerbaijan was also described as sharing borders with Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and Türkiye. Türkiye is their strongest ally while Armenia has historical conflict and ongoing tensions.

Ms. Molina further shared that Azerbaijan continues to expand its diplomatic footprint. It is a member of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) together with Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan; and was Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement from 2019-2023 leading initiatives on multilateral cooperation, pandemic response, and global south development. At present, Azerbaijan aims to (1) diversify its energy sector by expanding wind, solar, and hydropower and (2) invest in green hydrogen and regional energy.

The presentation concluded with some snaps from Ms. Molina’s personal trip outside Baku wherein she explored Khinaliq, one of the most isolated villages in Azerbaijan. In closing, she encouraged the session’s attendees to join future scholarship programs in FSI. 

The AHA! Hour is the Institute’s platform for returning DFA and FSI scholars to echo the knowledge they acquired during their overseas or local studies or training.