The State Security Service hosted the fourth Baku Security Forum, drawing heads of special services and senior officials from more than 100 countries. This year’s event focused on “New challenges in the global security architecture and building effective mechanisms for counter-terrorism cooperation.”
The forum opened with a message from President Ilham Aliyev read out to participants, followed by a video presentation on the event’s theme.
Addressing the gathering, State Security Service chief Colonel General Ali Naghiyev said the forum, launched on President Aliyev’s initiative, has grown larger every year, adding that he was pleased to welcome guests back to Baku. He said the format allows for professional-level discussion of pressing issues and has become an important platform for dialogue among special services.
Naghiyev said the international security system is going through a period of serious transformation, with existing mechanisms struggling to respond quickly enough to new types of threats. He stressed the importance of reliable partnerships in this environment.
The head of the State Security Service also noted that the concept of security now extends far beyond protecting borders, since ongoing conflicts have a direct impact on regional processes, energy markets and food security.
On the sidelines of the forum, the State Security Service and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism jointly organized a side event titled “Strengthening national counter-terrorism capabilities through operational partnerships.” Participants discussed the need to upgrade national and international coordination mechanisms against terrorist threats emerging from modern technology, including tools such as the Counter-Terrorism Information Exchange System (CTIES).
