Musabay Babayev

Director

Musabay Babayev received his bachelor's degree in "Public and Media Relations" from the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, studying from October 2021 to July 2025. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in "Politics and Democracy" at Leuphana University Lüneburg, focusing on democratic theory and democratic backsliding, migration policy, comparative politics and qualitative methods. Since October 2022 he has headed the Americas and Europe Department at the Baku Club of Political Scientists. Since January 2025 he has served as Executive Director of the "Strategic Discourse" Student Diplomacy Centre. In 2026 he was admitted to membership of the German Political Science Association (Deutsche Vereinigung für Politikwissenschaft, DVPW). He began his professional career in 2022, serving as Head of the International Relations Department at the "Migration Volunteer" Public Union from April to October 2022, and in parallel completing an internship at the Main Department for the Regulation of Migration Processes within the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan from May to August 2022. Later, in June and July 2025, he completed an internship at the Citizens' Reception Centre of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Actively involved in university governance and student life throughout his undergraduate studies, M. Babayev held the position of Deputy Chairman of the Student Youth Organization (SYO) at the Academy of Public Administration from October 2022 to May 2025. Alongside this role, from October 2022 to November 2025, he worked as an Assistant to the Advisor on Organizational Matters, Student Work and Public Relations at the same Academy. Since 2026 he has been a full member of the Student Election Committee (Wahlausschuss) at Leuphana University.

Raul Babayev

Invited Expert

Raul Babayev completed his bachelor's degree at Baku State University, majoring in State and Public Relations. Currently, he is pursuing his master's degree in International Economics and Public Policy at the University of Trier in Germany. He started his professional path back in 2023, when he joined a volunteer program at the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan from June to September. He scored 98 out of 100 points within that program. Later, from April to June 2024, he participated in another volunteer program, this time at the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where he also managed to get 98 out of 100 points. Then, from May to June 2025, he worked as an intern at the Apparatus of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Right now, he holds the position of an Invited Expert at the "Strategic Thinking" Student Diplomacy Center.

Islam Rahimov

Press Secretary

Islam Rahimov received his bachelor's degree with honors in "State and Public Relations" from the Faculty of Political Governance at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, studying from 2021 to 2025. Since 2025, he has been pursuing his master's degree in "Public Policy" at Baku State University. Furthermore, Islam Rahimov serves as the Press Secretary of the "Strategic Discourse" Student Diplomacy Center. As part of his professional career, he completed an industrial internship at the National Assembly (Milli Meclis) of the Republic of Azerbaijan within the Department of State Building, Military and Administrative Legislation, and gained extensive experience as an intern at the Department of Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Eastern Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Actively involved in university governance, as well as public and student life during his undergraduate studies, I. Rahimov held the positions of Chairman of the Faculty of Political Governance within the Student Youth Organization (SYO) at the Academy of Public Administration and Deputy Chairman of the Psychology Club. He is an active participant in diverse diplomatic conferences, international events organized by the Baku Initiative Group, and various regional analytical simulations.

Mehriban Cherkezli

Chief Advisor

Mehriban Cherkezli has been studying Sustainable Development at the bachelor’s level at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan since 2023. During her studies, she has actively participated in public activities and organizational processes, demonstrating an active role in the life of the academy. From 2023 to 2025, she was a member of the Student Youth Organization of the Academy of Public Administration and also served as Deputy Chairperson for the Faculty of Administrative Management. In addition, in 2024, she carried out volunteer activities at the National Olympic Committee. Currently, she continues her activities at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan as an Assistant to the Rector’s Advisor on Public Relations. She is also undertaking an internship at the Department of Sustainable Development Planning and Management, enhancing her theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the professional field. Since 2025, Mehriban Cherkezli has held the position of Chief Advisor at the Student Diplomacy Center "Strategic Discourse".

Anar Huseynov

Chief Advisor

Anar Huseynov began his bachelor's studies in September 2024 at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, majoring in Public and Municipal Administration, and is currently a second-year student at the same academy. From November 17, 2025, to March 19, 2026, he volunteered at the Citizens' Reception Center of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Taking an active part in university life, Anar Huseynov served as Deputy Secretary General at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan from September 2025 to March 2026. Parallel to this activity, he was the Chairman of the Modern Administrators Club from November 2025 to February 2026. Anar Huseynov currently serves as the Chief Advisor of the "Strategic Thinking" Student Diplomacy Center.

Akbar Aliyev

Chief Advisor

Akbar Aliyev began his bachelor's degree in September 2024 at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, majoring in International Relations. He is currently a second-year student at the academy. Between 2024 and 2025, he served as a volunteer at the State Examination Center. Actively involved in campus life, Akbar currently chairs the "Political Scientists" club operating under the academy's Student Youth Organization. Since August 2025, Akbar Aliyev has been involved with the "Strategic Thinking" (Strateji Düşüncə) Student Diplomacy Center, where he serves as Chief Advisor.

Movlan Huseynov

Chief advisor

Movlan Huseynov has been pursuing his bachelor's degree in International Relations at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) since September 2024 and is currently a second-year student. Alongside his academic pursuits, he actively participates in public affairs and international projects. M. Huseynov began his professional career in 2024 as a volunteer at the National Association of Businessmen's Societies (İCMA), where he currently serves as the Volunteer Coordinator. Concurrently, he has successfully participated in the volunteer programs of the 5th "Yüksəliş" (Ascension) competition, the State Examination Center (SEC), the Regional Development Public Union (RİİB), and the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF 13). Distinguishing himself in university initiatives as well, M. Huseynov has been a Chief advisor on Strategic Thinking and Student Diplomacy (SDTD) since September 2025, and the chairman of the UNEC Diplomacy Organization since November of the same year.

Ləman Bakuvi

Chief Advisor

Ləman Bakuvi is a Young European Ambassador from Azerbaijan and an ICESCO Youth Peace Ambassador. She is a young diplomat and political researcher actively working in the fields of diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, and international cooperation. Currently, she serves as a Senior Specialist at the "Strateji Düşüncə" (Strategic Thinking) Diplomacy Center, an institution focusing on strategic policy research and diplomatic studies. With a degree in International Relations, Ləman Bakuvi possesses a strong academic foundation and extensive practical experience in diplomacy and foreign policy. Throughout her career, she has participated as a speaker and panelist in numerous international diplomatic conferences and forums, contributing to discussions on foreign policy, international relations, diplomacy, and sustainable development. Her international activities span high-level events across the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. She is also an alumna of the International Relations Academy organized by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Baku. Ləman Bakuvi represented Azerbaijan as a panel speaker at the COP29 summit held in Baku in November 2024, as well as at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in 2026, contributing valuable insights to discussions on global challenges, sustainability, and international cooperation.

Fatima Ahmadova

Advisor

Fatima Ahmadova has been pursuing her Bachelor's degree in International Relations at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan since 2023 and is currently a 3rd-year student. Having a keen interest in foreign policy and diplomacy, Fatima completed an internship at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Republic of Azerbaijan, where she gained hands-on experience in diplomatic protocol, international cooperation, and the practical aspects of embassy operations.

Qadim Gazikhanov

Advisor

Qadim Gazikhanov has been pursuing his Bachelor's degree in "International Relations" at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan since September 2023, and is currently a 3rd-year student. He began his public engagement as a volunteer at the "Regional Development" Public Union (RIIB). He has served as a board member in the Project Management Department of the "Our Youth" Public Union and as an intern at the Youth Development and Career Center. Additionally, he has been actively involved in volunteer activities with the "Sports Volunteers and Fans," "Young Volunteers," and the IDEA Public Union. He participated as a volunteer in the "Baku Marathon 2025" and the "Formula 1 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix." Within the framework of the COP29 global climate summit, he was involved in organizational activities for the UK-based company "Extreme Hangout," an official partner of the event. He also represented as a delegate at the Conference of Youth (COY19). Furthermore, he has been a member of the working group for "HeForShe Azerbaijan" (the UN gender equality movement), a participant in the international election olympiad held among CIS countries, and a volunteer at the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13). Q. Gazikhanov has participated as a delegate in Model United Nations (MUN) simulation conferences several times. He is a graduate of the "International Relations Academy 2024" program, organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), as well as the "ASAN Academy 2024" project, jointly organized by the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the "ASAN Volunteers" Organization, with the support of "bp Azerbaijan." An active member of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization, Qadim Gazikhanov currently continues his activities as an advisor at the "Strategic Thinking" Student Diplomacy Center. As part of his university activities, he served as the Chairman of the Projects Department of the "Diplomacy and Research" club under the Student Youth Organization (TGT). Currently, he is the Chairman of the "Intellectual Games" club and a member of the university's "Enactus" team.