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Held in April 2021, the inaugural ADA International Conference titled “New Vision for South Caucasus: Post-Conflict Development and Cooperation” brought together over 40 international policy experts, scholars, and thought leaders across the world, with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, attending as the keynote speaker.

In his opening remarks, Rector of ADA University, Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev, welcomed the President and participants, noting the significance of ADA’s transformation into an international academic and policy platform. He highlighted the historic liberation of Azerbaijani lands and emphasized the importance of envisioning a peaceful and prosperous future for Karabakh and the wider South Caucasus region.

President Ilham Aliyev addressed the conference with a powerful reflection on the post-conflict realities, the legacy of the occupation, and the critical importance of memory in shaping forward-looking strategies. He stressed the dual need to remember the tragedies of war while focusing on development, regional cooperation, and the restoration of Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.

The conference not only became a platform for discussing reconstruction and reintegration but also laid the foundation for future forums. It was at this event that the idea of hosting the next international conference in Shusha was proposed — a suggestion warmly welcomed by the President, eventually leading to the organization of the second ADA International Conference in Karabakh.

President Ilham Aliyev said: 

“First of all, I would like to express gratitude to ADA university, and to rector Mr. Pashayev for organizing such an event. I am glad that ADA University within the relatively short period of time became one of the leading universities in Azerbaijan and has a very broad international connections. 

We cannot forget the atrocities committed by Armenian army. We cannot and will never forget Khojaly genocide and the innocent victims of Khojaly genocide organized by the leaders of Armenia and the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh regime. Therefore, it’s very important to understand that this memory will be with us. We will keep it in our heart. At the same time, we need to look to the future. Also, the destructions on the territories which we liberated are beyond all our worst expectations. Because we more or less knew what Armenians have done to our cities and villages. Because there have been from time to time some video footages some information from some international representatives who managed to visit those lands.”

Full transcription of the Forum is available here.