An international conference titled “III Global Dialogue Conference: Historical Memory as a Foundation of Peace” was held at the University of St. Thomas in Houston to mark the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre. The event was organized by the Houston Sister Cities Association with the support of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The conference opened with the national anthems of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United States, followed by a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Khojaly massacre. Attendees included representatives of the State Committee, a representative of the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the United States, faculty members of the University of St. Thomas, scholars, and members of the Azerbaijani community.

Speaking at the event, the head of the Houston Sister Cities Association, Irada Akhundova, described the Khojaly massacre as one of the bloodiest and most tragic chapters in Azerbaijan’s history, providing detailed insight into its historical context and facts.

Salhat Abbasova, Head of Department at the State Committee, emphasized that large-scale and ongoing commemorative events held around the world serve to ensure that this crime against humanity is not forgotten. She underscored the importance of accurately conveying the truth about Khojaly to the international community and achieving legal and political recognition of the crimes committed against its victims. She also highlighted the significance of the participation of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, in the first meeting of the Peace Council in Washington, D.C., held at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, noting its importance for regional stability and the advancement of sustainable peace.

A representative of the Azerbaijani Embassy in the United States paid tribute to the victims and highlighted the growing friendship and partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States, noting its contribution to strengthening peace.

Adika Iqbal, Vice President of the Azerbaijan-America Alliance of Organizations, stressed the importance of global solidarity to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities against civilians.

The conference also featured a video address by Irish historian Patrick Walsh, author of the book “44 Days: Karabakh – From Occupation to Freedom.” In his remarks, he addressed the historical context of the Khojaly events and emphasized the need for proper international recognition of the трагедy that occurred on February 26, 1992.

Participants viewed the documentary film “Khojaly Massacre – The History of Azerbaijan,” which portrays the devastating consequences of the tragedy and left a profound emotional impact on the audience.

In the afternoon session, the conference continued with panel discussions. The panel titled “Historical Memory as a Foundation of Peace” was moderated by financial analyst Alimursel Ibrahimov, founder of LearnTheMoney.org. Speakers included Ali Asgarov, Associate Professor in the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of North Carolina; Durdana Balakishiyeva, Professor of Physics at Southern Methodist University; Malik Ayub Sumbal, a journalist and geopolitical analyst based in China; and Neil Watson, a UK-based political scientist and journalist.

Discussions focused on the legal assessment of the Khojaly massacre under international law, the importance of preserving historical memory for future generations, and the role of information warfare. Panelists also addressed the role of Azerbaijani diaspora communities in conveying the country’s position globally, as well as the historical and legal aspects of the Karabakh conflict, the challenges in enforcing international resolutions, and their humanitarian consequences.

Further discussions highlighted the regional geopolitical landscape, the importance of balanced power policies in the post-conflict period, regional cooperation, the opening of communication routes, and the role of economic integration in ensuring long-term peace.

The conference concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session.