The Azerbaijani diaspora in Russia is the second largest after the Ukrainian diaspora. According to various estimates, from 1.5 to 2 million Azerbaijanis live in Russia on a permanent basis or temporarily. The largest diaspora is in Moscow and the Moscow Oblast – from 800,000 to 1 million people. There are also many Azerbaijanis in the Stavropol Krai – 50–60,000; in the Volgograd Oblast – up to 80,000; in the Tyumen Oblast – over 100,000; and in the Sverdlovsk Oblast – about 50,000.
The All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress was created in March 2001 by 50 Azerbaijani public organisations. The main goal of the congress is to protect and realise civil rights of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Russia, to preserve and develop its national, cultural and humanitarian traditions. The efforts of the organisation are directed towards solving all the problems of the diaspora, including strengthening international relations and supporting the ties of Azerbaijani citizens of Russia with their historical homeland. One of the main tasks of the congress is to show that the Azerbaijani diaspora is an enormous potential that can be used for the benefit of Russia. Currently the congress has regional branches in 54 regions of the Russian Federation and is made up of around 80 public organisations registered in Russia.
The first All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress was held in Moscow on 4 October 2001. Azerbaijan President Geidar Aliev and leaders of the Azerbaijani diaspora from various regions of Russia were present. Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II sent welcoming messages to the congress participants. Mamed Aliev, a doctor of medical science, professor and one of the leading specialists in oncology was elected as President of the Congress. Important public figures, representatives of the intelligentsia and business circles made up the leadership of the congress: the head of LUKoil Vagit Alekperov, internationally renowned geologist and discoverer of Tyumen oil Farman Salmanov, artist Tair Salakhov, singer Muslim Magomaev, writer Rustam Ibragimbekov and others.
The All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress has business ties with various Russian organisations. Agreements on cooperation have been signed with the Assembly of Peoples of Russia, and the State Duma Committee for ethnic affairs
(based on materials from ITAR-TASS)