On February 9, 2024, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will be completed.

The land of Nakhchivan occupied a worthy place in the centuries-old rich past of Azerbaijan and played a unique role in its social-political and scientific-cultural life. The city of Nakhchivan became the capital of the Atabays-Eldegiz state of Azerbaijan and gained wide fame as one of the important centers of science, culture and craftsmanship of Islamic civilization. The relics of the school of architecture, whose foundation was laid by Ajami Nakhchivani, which have survived to this day, add a special color to the appearance of Nakhchivan. Nakhchivan has contributed to the progress of Azerbaijani statehood, culture and science with its outstanding personalities over the centuries.

Although its strategic position has historically turned Nakhchivan into a field of intense political struggles, this country has resolutely overcome all the challenges it faced.

As a result of Armenia's territorial claims against Azerbaijan, even when Nakhchivan was under complete isolation and severe blockade for a long time, the heroic population saved this ancient Azerbaijani land from the threat of occupation, and showed selflessness for the restoration, preservation and strengthening of national statehood with bold steps taken for the independence of Azerbaijan.
During the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, the brave children of Nakhchivan wrote bright pages in our glorious Victory annals.

National Leader Heydar Aliyev has a great service in the continuous development of Nakhchivan. Since coming to power, the Great Leader has always kept Nakhchivan in mind and initiated the most important decisions regarding the future of the autonomous republic.

Thanks to the foresight of Heydar Aliyev, the adoption of the tricolor flag of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic as a state symbol in the supreme legislative body of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on November 17, 1990 had a decisive impact on the complex social and political processes of the time and brought Azerbaijan rapidly closer to independence.

Today, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic successfully implements state programs and infrastructure projects, closely participates in increasing the country's economic power and strengthening its intellectual potential. At present, Nakhchivan is one of the places where prestigious international events are held. As part of Azerbaijan's environmental protection activities, the autonomous republic has been declared a green energy zone. Work is being continued in the direction of expansion of transport opportunities with the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan.

Guided by Article 109, Clause 32 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, taking into account that the creation of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a very important event in the political history of Azerbaijan, I make a decision:

1. Let the 100th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic be widely celebrated.

2. The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan should prepare and implement a plan of events for the 100th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

3. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, in agreement with the authorized representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, should ensure the preparation and implementation of the plan of events related to the 100th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

4. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan should resolve the issues arising from this Order.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku city, December 30, 2023