The independent Azerbaijan Republic has historically served as a source of national pride, moral support, and a place of confidence for our compatriots settled in various countries due to diverse socio-political and cultural processes. The Azerbaijani state highly values the potential and role of the global Azerbaijani community in strengthening our independence. It places significant importance on the organized efforts of our compatriots living abroad and fellow citizens in addressing various challenges in building an independent state, particularly in enhancing our country's international reputation. On May 23, 2001, the National Leader Heydar Aliyev signed a decree to hold the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis on November 9-10, 2001, in Baku, in consideration of the need to discuss issues related to strengthening the connections of our compatriots living in various countries with the independent Republic of Azerbaijan, ensuring unity and solidarity among Azerbaijanis worldwide, as well as enhancing and coordinating the activities of Azerbaijani communities, societies, and organizations.

During the preparation period for the congress, the working group established intensive communication with our compatriots living abroad. Together, they formulated the representation standards and election mechanisms for the World Azerbaijanis Congress, ensuring the participation of representatives at the event. Additionally, the organizing committee identified many compatriots—prominent public and political figures, as well as intellectuals—who, while not represented in organizations of Azerbaijanis abroad, have connections to Azerbaijan in various ways, and invited them as guests to the congress.

At the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis, 406 representatives and 63 guests participated, representing over 200 diverse organizations from 36 foreign countries where our compatriots reside. The attendees represented a wide range of countries across the globe, including the USA, Turkey, Russia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Georgia, Austria, Romania, Switzerland, Australia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Belarus, Israel, and others.

The Republic of Azerbaijan was represented at the congress by 702 delegates and 844 guests from over 130 state and public institutions, and scientific, educational, cultural, and other creative organizations, including representatives from 25 political parties.

On November 9, 2001, during the first working day of the congress, National Leader Heydar Aliyev delivered an extensive speech. He elaborated on the measures to strengthen Azerbaijan's independence and the tasks ahead. Heydar Aliyev emphasized the importance of ensuring national unity and solidarity among Azerbaijanis worldwide, strengthening the ties between the Azerbaijani state and the global Azerbaijani community, and combining efforts to address emerging challenges. He also shared his thoughts on preserving and developing the Azerbaijani language and our national and spiritual values.

The speech by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev was listened to with great satisfaction by the congress participants and received with enthusiasm. Representatives from the USA, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the city of Saint Petersburg, spoke at the congress, praising the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis. They agreed with the National Leader's views on the importance of unity and solidarity among Azerbaijanis, and coming together around the idea of Azerbaijanism.

The congress continued its work through eight commissions: "Human Rights and International Relations," "Native Language and Azerbaijani Studies," "Science and Education," "Culture," "Economic Relations," "Youth and Sports Issues," "Issues Related to the Elimination of Armenia's Aggression Against Azerbaijan," and "Mass Media and Information Exchange." The commissions held productive discussions and made significant decisions.
On November 10, the congress concluded its work by adopting several important documents, including the "Resolution of the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis," the "Appeal of the Representatives of the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis to Azerbaijanis Worldwide," the "Appeal of Participants of the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis to the Global Community, International Organizations, Heads of Governments, and Parliaments Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh Issue," the "Appeal of the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev," and the "Appeal of the Representatives of the First Congress of World Azerbaijanis to the American People Concerning the Bloody Terror Attacks Committed on September 11, 2001, in the United States."

The congress elected a Coordinating Council of World Azerbaijanis with 103 members and a Board of Directors of 23 members, including a chairman and four deputies.

The First Congress of World Azerbaijanis marked a significant turning point in the organization process among our compatriots. Initiated by Heydar Aliyev, this historic event has boosted the more organized and dynamic activities of the Azerbaijani diaspora. One important aspect is that each of these events organized by the Azerbaijani state has guaranteed the close involvement of our compatriots living abroad in realizing our national interests.

Recommended literature:

1. Dünya Azərbaycanlılarının I Qurultayı : [Azərbaycan Respublikasının Prezidenti Heydər Əliyevin nitqi, Bakı, 9-10 noyabr 2001-ci il, "Respublika" Sarayı = Первый съезд Азербайджанцев Мира : [Речь Президента Азербайджана Гейдара Алиева, Баку, 9-10 ноября 2001 г., Дворец "Республика"] / Azərbaycan Respublikası xarici ölkələrdə yaşayan azərbaycanlılarla iş üzrə Dövlət Komitəsi, Azərbaycan Respublikası "Kitab" cəmiyyəti. - Bakı : İndigo, 2005. - 234 s.
2. Cəfərova, Raisə Rəşid qızı. Mərkəzi Asiya respublikalarında Azərbaycan diasporunun təşəkkülü və fəaliyyəti tarixi / R. R. Cəfərova ; elmi red. M. H. Seyidbəyli ; AMEA A.A. Bakıxanov adına Tarix İnstitutu. - Bakı : Turxan NPB, 2019. - 172 s.
3. Seyidbəyli, Məryəm Həsən qızı. Azərbaycanın elmi diasporu / M. H. Seyidbəyli ; elmi red. Z. B. Əliyev ; red. E. O. Oruclu ; AMEA Elm Tarixi İnstitutu, Azərbaycan Respublikasının Prezidenti yanında Elmin İnkişafı Fondu. - Bakı : Avropa nəşriyyatı, 2017. - 200 s.
4. Hüseynzadə, Fuad Abı oğlu. Azərbaycançılıq ideyası - dünya azərbaycanlılarının istinad mənbəyi / F. A. Hüseynzadə ; red. V. Zifəroğlu ; Azərbaycan Respublikasının Prezidenti yanında Qeyri-Hökumət Təşkilatlarına Dövlət Dəstəyi Şurası, Diaspor Fəaliyyətinə Jurnalistlərin Dəstəyi İctimai Birliyi. - Bakı : Apostrof-A, 2020. - 180 s.
5. Azərbaycan diasporu : transmilli əlaqələr / M. H. Seyidbəyli, R. Cəfərova, X. C. Qəhrəmanova [et al.] ; elmi red. M. H. Seyidbəyli ; AMEA A.A. Bakıxanov adına Tarix İnstitutu. - Bakı : Avropa nəşriyyatı, 2018. - 200 s.
6. Azərbaycan diasporu : tarix və müasirlik / M. H. Seyidbəyli, Z. M. Əsgərova, A. Qasımova [et al.] ; layihənin rəh. Y. M. Mahmudov ; elmi red. M. H. Seyidbəyli ; AMEA A.A. Bakıxanov adına Tarix İnstitutu. - Bakı : Turxan NPB, 2016. - 384 s.