The autumn of 2026 may be remembered for a number of important congresses in Azerbaijan's socio-political, cultural, and media life. The statutory terms and dates of previous congresses indicate that this year the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), the Civic Solidarity Party (VHP), and the next congress of Azerbaijani journalists will be held.
Modern.az has conducted research on when the next congresses of the mentioned organizations will be held.
YAP's VIII congress must be held this year
The main political meeting in the spotlight is the next congress of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party.
YAP's last, VII congress was held on March 5, 2021. At that meeting, the party's new Charter was adopted, a Board of 40 people, an Audit Commission of 13 people, and a Veterans Council of 35 people were formed. Article 7.2 of the party's current Charter clearly states that YAP's congress must be convened by the Board at least once every five years.
According to the YAP Charter, the congress is the supreme governing p of the party. Issues such as the election of the party chairman, the determination of the numerical composition of the Board, Audit Commission, and Veterans Council, and the election of members of these bodies are within the powers of the congress. Members of the Board and other elected structures are also elected for a five-year term.
It is also discussed that the ruling party's congress will be held in October. Let's add Deputy Akimova's statement here
Journalists must also gather for a congress this year
Another large public platform expected to hold a congress in 2026 is Azerbaijani journalists and the Press Council.
The last congress of Azerbaijani journalists was held on September 24, 2022. At that congress, the activities of the Azerbaijan Press Council during the reporting period were evaluated, amendments were made to the Charter, and new governing bodies of the Council were formed. Rashad Majid was elected chairman of the Press Council. According to the current Charter of the Press Council, the term of office of the Board members is 4 years. Council members are also elected for a 4-year term. The term of office of the Control and Audit Commission is also four years.
Thus, the four-year term of office of the governing bodies formed in September 2022 expires in September 2026.
Rashad Majid, chairman of the Press Council, confirmed in his statement that the holding of the IX congress is on the agenda. He stated that the time of the congress and other procedural issues will be determined at the meeting of the Board of the Press Council. Rashad Majid said that it is possible to set the congress for the third decade of September, like the previous meeting.
If the congress takes place, the composition of the Board of the Press Council for the next four-year period will be formed and the chairman of the Council will be elected.
The 5-year term has also ended in Sabir Rustamkhanli's party
One of the political organizations whose congress term ends this year is the Civic Solidarity Party.
VHP's last VIII congress was held on February 14, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was organized online. A total of 400 delegates from the party's 76 regional and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic organizations participated in the congress. At the meeting, the party's inter-congress activities and the socio-political situation were discussed, and organizational issues were reviewed.
Based on the results of the vote, Sabir Rustamkhanli was re-elected as VHP chairman. The VHP Charter also specifies a concrete period for holding the congress.
According to Article 6.1 of the Charter, the congress, which is the supreme governing p of the VHP, is convened by the Supreme Assembly every 5 years. Considering that the last congress was held on February 14, 2021, the term of the party's IX congress ended in February 2026.
For this reason, it is imperative for the VHP to hold its next congress this year in accordance with the Charter.
