Opening Ceremony of the II Forum of Azerbaijani Judges Held in Baku

The opening ceremony of the II Forum of Azerbaijani Judges was held in Baku.

The forum was attended by nearly 500 judges, members of the Judicial Legal Council, and representatives of state institutions. Its purpose was to inform the legal community and the public about ongoing judicial and legal reforms in Azerbaijan.

At the beginning of the forum, a video presentation highlighting the work accomplished in the judicial sector in 2025 was shown.

Ramiz Rzayev, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Judges’ Association, in his opening speech, emphasized that the forum holds special significance for the Azerbaijani judiciary. He noted that the responsibilities of the judiciary in the modern era go beyond merely applying the law. Judges serve as key guarantors of public confidence in justice, which is strengthened not only by professionalism, objectivity, and adherence to the rule of law, but also by institutional strength, solidarity, and sustainable development.

Inam Karimov, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan and the Chairman of the Judicial Legal Council, highlighted that since the first forum, a number of significant developments have taken place in the country. The dynamic of progress has been successfully maintained, large-scale reconstruction and development efforts have been implemented, and advancement has been achieved in all sectors. Under the leadership of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, systematic reforms in state administration have been carried out, policies based on national interests have been ensured, and Azerbaijan’s 

international standing has been significantly strengthened.

It was noted that 2025 was a productive and successful year for the judiciary. Emphasis was placed on the implementation of legislative and institutional reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency of judicial proceedings, as well as on measures taken to promote these reforms internationally. Efforts to establish uniform judicial practice and ensure consistency and predictability in legal decision-making have continued.

Farhad Abdullayev, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan, in his speech, noted that constitutional interpretation plays a critical role in ensuring legal certainty and the supremacy of law. The Constitution not only defines the boundaries of state power, but also guarantees the protection of human rights and freedoms and outlines the primary directions for regulating public relations. In this regard, correct understanding and application of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution is of particular importance.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, as part of the II Forum of Azerbaijani Judges, a group of judges was honored for their long-term effective service in the judicial system and for the stability of the judicial decisions they have delivered.

The event then continued with panel discussions on specific thematic topics.