As every year, this year again the cold and snowy weather in the Swiss town of Davos put participants of the Davos Economic Forum to the test. The frost of Davos could not prevent the world’s most influential political leaders and economic giants from coming together to hold important meetings, engage in heated discussions, and make historic decisions. This year, the World Economic Forum turned into a global dialogue platform at a record level, bringing together nearly 3,000 high-level representatives from more than 130 countries.
Special attention to the President of Azerbaijan
The aim of the forum was not only to discuss the economic agenda, but also to define global security, peace processes, and new models of regional cooperation.
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, also took part in the forum. The interest in the head of state’s participation in this prestigious international platform, which lasted from January 19 to 23, the meetings he held, and the events he attended, was very high.
President Ilham Aliyev’s daily agenda in Davos was very busy and productive. He gave interviews to leading media outlets, took part in various events within the framework of the forum, and held bilateral meetings with several heads of state and government.
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During the President of Azerbaijan’s meetings in Davos with Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, and other officials, Azerbaijan’s strategic importance in the Eurasian space, its status as a key player in the energy and transport sectors, as well as its role in the region’s economic and political development were emphasized.
At the same time, the head of state also met with leaders of leading international financial institutions and companies. During President Ilham Aliyev’s meetings with the Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, one of the world’s leading asset management firms, as well as Adebayo Ogunlesi, Founding Partner and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a company within the BlackRock group, Connor Teskey, President of Brookfield Asset Management, and Jamie Dimon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan, one of the world’s leading global financial institutions, the discussions mainly focused on regional cooperation, investment opportunities, energy security, and overall security issues.
Following his interview with Euronews TV in Davos, President Ilham Aliyev attended the “Azerbaijan Executive Breakfast” event organized by the television channel and answered questions from business representatives from various countries.
The President’s interview with Euronews in the spotlight of local and international media
President Ilham Aliyev’s interview with Euronews in Davos also attracted special attention from both domestic and international media. In the interview, the head of state clearly demonstrated Azerbaijan’s pragmatic and realistic position within the changing international system. As he has always emphasized, the President stressed that in the new global reality where international law is weakening, and the factor of power is coming to the forefront, Azerbaijan pursues an independent policy based on national interests. President Ilham Aliyev presented the peace achieved with Armenia in the South Caucasus as a strategic opportunity for the region in terms of both security and economic development. Energy issues stood out in the interview as Azerbaijan’s main geopolitical advantage, once again underscoring that Azerbaijan is the key energy supplier of the South Caucasus and a reliable partner in Europe’s energy security.
At the same time, during the interview, President Ilham Aliyev also clarified relations with the European Parliament, noting that the current state of relations is viewed as part of Azerbaijan’s strategy to preserve its political independence. Overall, the interview demonstrates Azerbaijan’s balanced foreign policy approach, which aligns regional leadership, energy diplomacy, and the peace agenda.
Peace, cooperation, and new approaches
On January 20, one of the most important events at the Davos Forum was a panel titled ‘Defining Eurasia’s Economic Identity,’ in which President Ilham Aliyev took part. The panel was attended by the presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Serbia.
The joint participation of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia at the Davos Forum was in the spotlight. After a long-standing conflict, the appearance of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the same platform within the context of the peace process was perceived as an important message for the region.
The panel demonstrated how, after many years of conflict in the South Caucasus, the peace process is being reflected through concrete steps. In his speech, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the results of the peace process are already being manifested in real economic cooperation. The head of state stated that oil products are already being sent from Azerbaijan to Armenia for trade, cargo transportation is being carried out, and new opportunities for economic cooperation are emerging in the region.
Within the framework of the panel, President Ilham Aliyev for the first time voiced that a request had already been received regarding the transportation of cargo from Armenia to Russia, noting that these shipments are currently carried out through Georgia: ‘But but one day it will go through Armenia. One day Armenia will go directly through Azerbaijan, and that day is not too far away.’
The President of Azerbaijan also touched upon the importance of the TRIPP project, implemented under the auspices of the United States, for the region, noting that this project will becomea new transportation corridor stretching from Asia across the Caspian, through Azerbaijan, Armenia, part of Azerbaijan—which is Nakhchivan—Türkiye, and further down to Europe.
The speech by the President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, also drew attention. He emphasized that Armenia is participating in the peace process with political will, that the leaders are demonstrating determination together for peace, and that a new model of cooperation is being formed.
In his address, the Armenian President noted that the will demonstrated by the leaders of the two countries is the key prerequisite for the peace process. He stated that cooperation and mutual support under peaceful conditions are already a reality, opening a new era of cooperation between the two countries.
President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan said he fully agrees with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s statement: "it is, in fact, quite difficult to speak following President Ilham Aliyev. I find myself echoing the President's sentiments, as the views expressed by President Ilham Aliyev align perfectly with our own perspectives and principles."
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, described the President of Azerbaijan at the panel as "truly one of the most distinguished leaders in the modern world." Vučić emphasized that the presence of such leaders is an important example not only for the region but also for Eurasian integration and cooperation as a whole.
The panel highlighted not only the peace agenda, but also once again underscored the importance of how the future economic and political map of the Eurasian region will be shaped.
The presidents’ statements also demonstrated the possibility of new forms of cooperation in the region and showed that there is a clear will directed toward peace.
Attention to the panel was very high. Even Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić could not hide his surprise at the level of interest in the panel.
Aliyev–Trump summit at the Davos Forum
Within the framework of the forum, President Ilham Aliyev’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump drew particular attention. The dialogue between the two leaders during the meeting with Donald Trump took place in a sincere and open atmosphere. The sides exchanged views on the development of Azerbaijan–U.S. relations, prospects for mutual cooperation, and broader geopolitical issues. Trump’s role in U.S. peace initiatives was especially emphasized during the meeting, and Azerbaijan’s invitation as the founder of the ‘Board of Peace’ project was also assessed as an indicator of this strategic partnership.
The fact that the meeting was attended not only by the presidents of the two countries, but also by officials and senators did not go unnoticed. In particular, the participation of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio demonstrated that the dialogue was conducted within a broader diplomatic and geopolitical context. During the meeting, Rubio welcomed the ‘Board of Peace’ initiative, describing it as a new and effective platform for peace.
Azerbaijan in the ‘Board of Peace’
Undoubtedly, one of the most significant events of the Davos Forum was the signing ceremony of the ‘Board of Peace Charter’ on Gaza.
The establishment of the body, initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, was formalised in Davos. The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, also took part in the ceremony and signed the document. Thus, Azerbaijan joined the ‘Board of Peace’ as a founding member state.
The invitation extended to our country by the United States to join this important initiative should also be regarded as an indicator of the attitude toward President Ilham Aliyev and his leadership qualities.”
Azerbaijan’s active role at the international level
This year, the Davos Forum was warmer and more dynamic in political and diplomatic terms. The reaction of the international media and other leaders to President Ilham Aliyev’s participation was particularly strong.
Sincere dialogues among leaders, messages of peace, and new cooperation initiatives once again turned Davos into a centre of global politics.
The 56th World Economic Forum was marked by discussions on peace processes and calls for global cooperation. President Ilham Aliyev’s participation in the forum, the special attention given to the head of state, and his messages demonstrated Azerbaijan’s active role not only in the region but also at the international level in peace and cooperation initiatives.
