The “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party  (New Azerbaijan Party) was established at the initiative and with active participation of Azerbaijani intellectuals during the period of hardship of the Azerbaijan history, when the country was undergoing serious ordeal. Foundation of this party was the result of events that had taken place in Azerbaijan since 1988 and logical conclusion of the existing social-political conditions. The establishment of the “Yeni Azerbaijan Party” coincided with the period of the hard economic, political and the spiritual crisis, when the ruling political forces replacing one another even worsened the existing situation in the country, bringing it to the dangerous crisis.  The government’s policy was directed against the national interests of Azerbaijan, which had just regained its independence. The hope of Azerbaijan, which at that time faced the threat of losing its independence, was in Heydar Aliyev, a wise statesman, an outstanding political figure, who had a rich political experience, guided the supreme interests of the people and the state in his activity.

On 16 October 1992, a group of intellectuals (91 people) addressed Heydar Aliyev through “Ses” (Voice) newspaper with an open letter “Azerbaijan is waiting for your word”. The document get into the modern history of Azerbaijan as the “appeal of 91 intellectuals”, and in reality, it was the expression of people’s wishes and will. At that moment, the persons thinking of the country’s destiny came forward with an initiative to set up a new party able to get the country out of the crisis. This appeal signed by the well-known intellectuals and famous figures and personalities of Azerbaijan urged Heydar Aliyev to be the head of the new political party – “Yeni Azerbaijan”. On 24 October 1992, the national leader responded positively to the call of intellectuals with his article “For a New, Independent Azerbaijan”.

Although Heydar Aliyev agreed to accept the appeal of the people and because he was not allowed to arrive in Baku by those who were in power then, a 550-member initiative group went to Nakhchivan and managed to hold the constituent assembly of the party. The conference, which gathered the representatives of all the regions of Azerbaijan, was held November 21, 1992, in the building of the Nakhchivan State Drama Theatre named after Jalil Mammadgulizadeh in Nakhchivan city with Heydar Aliyev presiding at the event. The Constituent Assembly approved the decision on the establishment of the Party, the Party’s Program and its Statute. Heydar Aliyev was unanimously elected as a chairman of the party. There was elected the Political Council, the Board and deputies chairman were also elected at the conference. So, there was founded the New Azerbaijan Party, which assumed a great historic mission in the history of independent Azerbaijan and became a remarkable event in the life of our people.

The “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party was registered by the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan Republic on December 18, 1992, and opened its regional branches and cells in all the regions of Azerbaijan within a short period of time. The program and statute adopted by the Constituent Assembly of the New Azerbaijan Party were discussed at the First Congress held on 20-21 December 1999 and adopted after being amended. According to the NAP’s (New Azerbaijan Party) Statute and Program, the strategic course was set and the major aims and goals to strengthen and protect the state independency of Azerbaijan, ensure its worthy place in the modern international system, and build a legal state were determined. This marked the emergence of a major political force in Azerbaijan, led by such a prominent statesman with a special reputation on a global scale as Heydar Aliyev.

On 3 October 1993, Heydar Aliyev, the Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), was democratically elected as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, signifying a consequential shift in the party’s trajectory. The altered political landscape heralded a new chapter for the party, bolstering its influence within the nation and catalyzing a concerted effort towards advancing various aspects of public life. The subsequent parliamentary elections on 12 November 1995 saw a significant number of “Yeni Azerbaijan” (New Azerbaijan) Party members securing seats in the Milli Majlis, solidifying the NAP’s ascendancy as the political party in power.

Heydar Aliyev was re-elected Chairman of the party during the inaugural Congress of the NAP on December 20, 1999. The Congress additionally selected a new Political Council, NAP Deputy Chairpersons, individuals of the Board, Executive Secretary, and their assistants as proposed by the NAP Chairman.

The inaugural congress, which took place on December 20-21, 1999, was significant for both the party and Azerbaijani society in its entirety. The congress deliberated on the Programme and Charter that had been accepted during the establishment conference of the NAP, incorporating various revisions and enhancements. It outlined the strategic priorities of the NAP’s operations, along with its primary objectives and aspirations in safeguarding and enhancing Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, establishing a governance system founded on legal principles, and securing a reputable standing within the contemporary global framework.

The primary objectives outlined in the revised Programme encompassed bolstering the autonomy of the state, fostering the progression of Azerbaijan as a democratic, lawful, and secular nation, and guaranteeing the tranquility and safety of its citizens. Emphasizing robust state governance, adherence to legal principles, the concept of Azerbaijanism established by national leader Heydar Aliyev, accelerated development, promotion of cohesive civil unity, and the promotion of social equity form the central themes of the Party’s ideological framework.

The II Congress of the “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party, which took place on 21 November 2001, made significant decisions that had a profound impact on the organization. During this event, amendments were made to the Party’s Charter and Ilham Aliyev was unanimously appointed as the first deputy chairman. Furthermore, the Congress elected the Party’s governing bodies, which included 108 members of the Political Council and 26 members of the Board.

The III Congress of the “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party, held on 26 March 2005, saw Ilham Aliyev being unanimously elected as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, First Deputy Chairman of the NAP, and as the Chairman of the “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party. During the elections to the party’s governing bodies at the congress, a total of 102 individuals were appointed as members of the Political Council, with 25 individuals being elected to the Board of Directors. Additionally, 17 members were elected to the Central Control and Revision Commission.

The IV Congress of the NAP took place on 2 August 2008. During the congress, a significant resolution was passed which endorsed the party’s leader, Ilham Aliyev, as the candidate for the presidency in the upcoming term. In the subsequent presidential elections on 15 October 2008, the NAP’s nominee, Ilham Aliyev, secured a resounding victory and was duly elected as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan with a commanding majority of votes amounting to 88.7%.

The Fifth Congress of the “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party took place on 7 June 2013, during which President Ilham Aliyev was nominated for the position of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the succeeding term. The congress addressed various organizational matters, resulting in the re-election of Ilham Aliyev as the chairman of the “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party. Additionally, the congress officially announced and approved the appointments of four deputy chairmen, 90 members of the Political Council, 21 members of the Board, and 15 members of the Control and Revision Commission.

The VI congress of the “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party convened on 8 February 2018, where President Ilham Aliyev was once again put forth as a nominee for the role of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the upcoming term.

The VII congress of the “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party was held on 5 March 2021, during which Mehriban Aliyeva was appointed as the first deputy chairman of the party, Ali Ahmadov was appointed as the deputy chairman, and Tahir Budaghov was appointed as another deputy chairman and the head of the Central Office by the directive of the chairman, Ilham Aliyev, in accordance with the party’s amended statute.   Furthermore, the congress conducted elections for a new Board, Supervisory and Auditing Commisssion, as well as for the positions of chairman, deputy chairman, and members of the newly established Veterans Council.  

At present, the President of our country Ilham Aliyev as the chairman of the “Yeni Azerbaijan Party” attaches great importance to further development of the party, improvement of its activity, expansion of international relations and modernization. At the present stage, the “Yeni Azerbaijan Party” acts as the most organized and leading force in the socio-political environment of Azerbaijan. That is why “Yeni Azerbaijan Party” as a new, mature and dialectically developing political party of Azerbaijan not only retains its glory, but also is progressively increasing, expanding and strengthening it. The reforms carried out in recent years in this party under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev are an important achievement in the field of party building in our country. Yeni Azerbaijan Party plays a great role in the achievements of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan. Effective activity of First Vice-President of our country Mehriban Aliyeva as First Deputy Chairman of the “Yeni Azerbaijan Party” serves to expand and strengthen the political activity of the party.

Today, we can say with confidence that Heydar Aliyev’s ideas live in the activity of the New Azerbaijan Party founded by the national leader. Against the background of new realities that emerged after the Karabakh victory, under the leadership of President, victorious Commander-in-Chief, Chairman of the Party Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan will move forward more confidently towards a bright future.

Recommended literature:

1. Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası : 1992-2002: Azərbaycanın dünəni, bu günü və gələcəyi. - Bakı : Azərbaycan nəşriyyatı, 2002. - 467 s.
2. Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası / Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyasının İcra Katibliyi. - Bakı : [n. y.], 2007. - 263 s.
3. Muradlı, Arzuman Ağamməd oğlu. Heydər Əliyev Partiyası : Yeni Azərbaycan Partiyası - 20 / A. A. Muradlı ; məsl., ön sözün müəl. Z. İ. Qaralov, red. İ. Rüstəmov. - Bakı : Elm və təhsil, 2012. - 632 s.
4. Heydər Əliyev - Azərbaycan: dünən, bu gün və sabah : elmi-praktiki konfransın materialları / elmi red. Ş. H. Hacıyev ; ön söz müəl. E. Ə. Əzizov. - Bakı : Azərbaycan, 2016. - 340 s.
5. Əliyeva, Nurlana Müzəffər qızı. Qüdrətli Azərbaycan naminə / N. M. Əliyeva ; red., ön sözün müəl. N. Q. Cəfərov. - Bakı : Mütərcim, 2019. - 440 s.