The recent Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit held in Khankendi was far more than a routine diplomatic gathering. It was a bold and deliberate signal from Azerbaijan, a country once caught in the throes of protracted conflict, that it is not only open for business but is also taking firm ownership of its regional destiny. By hosting a high-level international summit in a city that symbolises post-conflict recovery, Azerbaijan has delivered a powerful message to the world: peace has arrived, investment is welcome, and opportunity is abundant.

The symbolism of Khankendi cannot be overstated. Once considered the epicentre of the decades-long Garabagh conflict, the city is now poised to become a beacon of reconstruction, commerce, and cross-border cooperation. By selecting this location for the ECO Summit, Baku has flipped the narrative. Instead of being seen through the lens of instability, Garabagh is now being projected as a destination for development and integration. This shift carries tremendous implications, not just for Azerbaijan but for the broader South Caucasus region.

At a time of fluctuating alliances and rising geopolitical competition, particularly amid cautious tensions with Russia, Azerbaijan is carving out an independent path anchored in pragmatism, economic vision, and diplomatic finesse. Rather than becoming entangled in zero-sum games, Azerbaijan is positioning itself as a stabilising........

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