Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity Ceremony

AZERBAIJAN, February 4 - - We need to agree on who will be speaking first.

Your Highness, Mr. President of the United Arab Emirates, my dear brother Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, members of the judging committee, ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the judging committee for this award. It is a great honor for me to receive an award that bears the name of the founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed – the great leader whose vision and actions transformed the UAE into one of the most prosperous and successful countries in the world.

My dear brother Sheikh Mohamed continues the policy of his father in development, progress, and continued modernization. Today, the UAE is really an example for many countries on how to build a society that lives in peace and harmony, deeply connected to its historical roots while also looking to the future.

I would like to express my gratitude to His Eminence, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and His Holiness Pope Leo for their contribution to interreligious dialogue and their efforts to bring civilizations closer to each other. I also express my gratitude to all the colleagues who addressed their kind messages to the ceremony, once again underlining the importance of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia not only for our two countries but for the broader region. We were at war for more than 30 years. Now we have lived in peace for six months.

As I have said many times, we are learning to live in peace. I can tell you, it is a special feeling. We have never lived in peace since we became independent, and we are learning quickly. The last six months, since the historic summit in Washington hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, have been months of partnership, cooperation, and movement toward long-lasting and enduring peace.

I would also like to express my gratitude to President of the United States Donald Trump for his contribution to peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He hosted a trilateral summit on 8 August 2025, which resulted in the initialing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the signing of the Joint Declaration. President Trump also signed it as a witness, thus putting an end to a long-lasting, three-decade-plus, bloody and deadly conflict.

These six months, as I said, have been very important for the development of our relations. We not only lifted the restrictions on cargo transportation through Azerbaijan to Armenia, but also started exporting oil products to Armenia. In other words, during these six months, we have started cooperation. We are now increasing our trade relationship. This morning, I met my Armenian colleague, and we discussed how to move forward.

Today's award ceremony and the appreciation of our efforts by this distinguished judging committee and all our friends is very encouraging. I think that our example should be learned and taken as a roadmap for those who are still at war. Our example demonstrates that peace is possible despite long-lasting conflict, suffering, and mutual distrust. Peace is possible when there is strong political will from both sides and when this process is supported by friendly countries and the international community.

My final point about this award ceremony here in Abu Dhabi is that I think it is symbolic, because the last round of negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan took place here last July, just a month before the historic summit in Washington. Here in Abu Dhabi, with the support of our brother Sheikh Mohamed, we came to a final agreement to establish peace, which was then formalized in Washington.

This symbolism today is in the air, and once again, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who decided to award us this distinguished and prestigious prize, and to all those who helped us achieve peace.

Thank you very much.