Nasimi Abilov - "Multiculturalism in Azerbaijan’s State Policy: New Challenges in 2025"

Multiculturalism has long been a cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s state policy. Initiated by National Leader Heydar Aliyev and further advanced under President Ilham Aliyev, it represents one of the key pillars of the country’s social harmony and international prestige.

In 2025, global migration trends, information wars, and rising political tensions have posed new challenges to multicultural values. In this context, Azerbaijan’s experience demonstrates once again that cultural diversity is not a vulnerability but a strategic source of national strength and resilience.

Azerbaijan’s ethnic and religious communities — including Jews, Russians, Talysh, Lezgins, Avars, Udis, and others — play an active role in the nation’s cultural and political life. The new challenges of 2025 call for strengthening this unity, promoting multicultural values among the youth, and countering hate speech in the digital sphere.

Today, Azerbaijan’s multicultural model stands as an example of peaceful coexistence and dialogue in the region. The realities of 2025 demand that this policy be further strengthened and adapted to the changing global environment.

Nasimi Abilov

Director of the Azerbaijan Jewish Media Center