Abstract
<jats:p>he article examines the key directions in the development of Azerbaijan’s state language policy in the context of intensifying processes of globalization, digitalization, and transnational communication. In the 21st century, language is no longer perceived solely as a means of everyday communication; it increasingly acquires the status of a strategic resource associated with national identity, cultural security, and the geopolitical positioning of the state. In this context, the Azerbaijani language is analyzed as a central symbol of statehood and a factor in social cohesion. The study emphasizes that, on the one hand, global integration creates broad opportunities for international scientific, economic, and cultural cooperation; on the other hand, it intensifies the pressure exerted by dominant global languages, primarily English and Russian, on national languages. This situation generates risks of the functional displacement of the Azerbaijani language from key domains, including higher education, science, digital platforms, and business communication. The article demonstrates that the language policy of modern Azerbaijan is aimed at establishing a balance between openness to the world and the preservation of linguistic sovereignty. Particular attention is paid to the role of the state in regulating the linguistic space, notably through legislation, educational policy, the media sphere, and digital infrastructure. It is noted that the development of the Azerbaijani language in the 21st century requires not only normative protection but also active adaptation to new communicative environments, including the internet, artificial intelligence, and multimodal forms of communication. The language must be not only protected but also functionally competitive. In conclusion, it is argued that the sustainability of the Azerbaijani language under conditions of globalization is possible only through the integration of language policy with the state’s cultural, educational, and technological strategies. The preservation of linguistic sovereignty is viewed not as isolation but as conscious participation in global dialogue grounded in one’s own cultural and linguistic identity.</jats:p>