Organizing regular meetings, conferences, forums, and community events for Azerbaijanis living abroad, while supporting the exchange of experience and coordinated action among them, is one of the key pillars of Azerbaijan’s diaspora policy.

From this perspective, the meeting between Fuad Muradov, Chairman of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, and the Azerbaijani community living in the United Kingdom, alongside his participation in a Coordination Council session during his visit to the country, is of particular significance.

Held on the eve of May 28 – Independence Day, the event was jointly organized by the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis Living in the United Kingdom, and the British Azerbaijani Society. It brought together Azerbaijanis living in London, Essex, Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Manchester, Coventry and Bracknell, as well as Cardiff and Swansea in Wales, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen in Scotland, and Belfast in Northern Ireland, including compatriots originally from South Azerbaijan.

Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, thanked the organizers and highly praised the active role of diaspora organizations operating in the UK, alongside their efforts to protect the country’s interests.

Speaking on Azerbaijan’s diaspora policy, the Committee Chairman recalled the following words from President Ilham Aliyev’s historic address at the 5th Congress of World Azerbaijanis (the Victory Congress) held in Shusha on 22 April 2022: “Of course, I am delighted that our diaspora organizations operating abroad maintain constant contact with Azerbaijan and the State Committee, and that coordination among diaspora organizations operating in different countries is improving. This is very important.”

Participants were provided with detailed information about the Committee’s efforts to strengthen the unity of Azerbaijanis around the world and enhance coordination among diaspora organizations.

The community meeting continued with an interactive discussion. Community members shared their views and proposals on further strengthening diaspora activities, particularly boosting active youth involvement in these processes, and conveying Azerbaijan’s national interests and rightful voice to the international community more effectively.

The state awards were presented to compatriots who have made outstanding contributions to diaspora activities at the event. Farida Panahova—Head of the British Azerbaijani Society, member of the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis Living in the United Kingdom, and founder of the Karabakh School—received the “Progress” Medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Ali Tekin Atalar, Head of the London Azerbaijan House, and Saadat Farziyeva, a teacher at the Karabakh School in London, founder of the Acapella Academy, and composer, were awarded the Medal of the Republic of Azerbaijan “For Service in Diaspora Activities”. The award on behalf of Ali Tekin Atalar was received by his daughter.

This was followed by a session of the Coordination Council of Azerbaijanis Living in the United Kingdom. Representatives of the Council’s member organizations—Hafiz Bakhshaliyev, Farida Panahova, Nargiz Morrison, Savash Marandli, and Parvana Aghazade—presented reports on the Council’s activities, implemented projects, and future initiatives. Extensive discussions were held regarding the Council’s work, and new coordinators were elected.

The community event continued with an artistic segment dedicated to May 28 – Independence Day. London-based Azerbaijani musicians Rasim Farziyev, Emiliya Yagubova, Vusala Babayeva, and Emin Eminzade delighted the audience with performances of national and classical music. Performances by students of the Karabakh School were also met with great interest and applause. Young musicians Emin Eminzade and Vusala Babayeva expressed their gratitude to the State Committee on Work with Diaspora for the attention and support shown toward their creative work and projects.

The event also featured the premiere of the music video for the “Koroghlu” Overture, included in young pianist Vusala Babayeva’s album, Uzeyir Hajibeyli: Musical Legacy on Piano. The album was produced with financial support from the Fund for Support to Azerbaijani Diaspora, which operates under the State Committee on Work with Diaspora.

Held in a warm and constructive atmosphere, the event helped expand connections among community members, reinforce unity around shared goals, and open up new avenues for future joint initiatives.