On May 28, 2025, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Washington, D.C., held a diplomatic reception at the Meridian International Center in honor of Independence Day and Armed Forces Day. Azerbaijani Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Khazar Ibrahim, and his wife received guests alongside Lieutenant Commander Kamran Tahirbayli, Azerbaijan’s Acting Defense, Military, Naval, and Air Attaché, and his spouse.
Envoys and representatives from Tunisia, Costa Rica, Belarus, Singapore, Maldives, and Mauritania joined members of the U.S. government, the business sector, and uniformed officers for the formal gathering.
The evening began with the national anthems of Azerbaijan and the United States. Ambassador Ibrahim then addressed the audience, reflecting on the 107th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. He spoke about the early foundations of the republic, including its inclusive parliamentary system and its early extension of voting rights to women. He also referenced the presidential proclamation of 2025 as the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty, pointing to the country’s direction toward self-governance and independent policy choices.
Ambassador Ibrahim described a concurrent gathering in Azerbaijan involving the presidents of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan in regions recently reintegrated under Baku’s control. He drew a connection to the 1919 meeting between Azerbaijani leaders and President Woodrow Wilson in Paris, noting that Azerbaijan continues to engage with the United States based on shared values and mutual respect.
William Joyce, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, followed with remarks. He traced the 34-year relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan, shaped by cooperation on regional security and energy infrastructure. Joyce recognized Azerbaijan’s role in stabilizing global energy markets and its consistent support for access to energy in lower-income countries. He also called attention to practical partnerships that produce real-world outcomes.
Lieutenant Commander Kamran Tahirbayli offered remarks on military coordination between Baku and Washington. He spoke about joint training, ongoing security dialogues, and operational collaboration that have created a working relationship built on trust. Brigadier General Colby B. Wyatt, Director of the Joint Staff of the Oklahoma National Guard, also addressed the audience and acknowledged the professional ties that have grown between American and Azerbaijani defense teams.
Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim later raised a toast with Joyce, Brigadier General Wyatt, and Lieutenant Commander Tahirbayli, thanking guests for attending and reaffirming the cooperation between the two governments.
The program included a performance by Azerbaijani children, among them the Ambassador’s own, who sang national songs. Guests gathered over traditional Azerbaijani cuisine and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere that opened space for conversation and cultural exchange.
