Individuals who bear historical missions, distinguish themselves with their unique traits, life paths, and skills, emerge over long periods. Worthy successors ensure the bright future of these individuals’ legacies. Today, we witness this historical reality in the person of President Ilham Aliyev. Reviewing Ilham Aliyev’s 21-year presidency, we observe that alongside following the strategy set by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, he has also demonstrated successful political leadership that meets contemporary demands. Over the past 21 years, our country has been characterized by dynamic development, rapid modernization, the implementation of global and local projects, and the emergence of Azerbaijan as a nation of influence and authority in the world.
Looking back over the past four years, it is evident that President Ilham Aliyev’s political strategy and the resulting local and international achievements span various sectors comprehensively. Among the domestic successes of the Azerbaijani leader, the victory in Karabakh stands out prominently. In the autumn of 2020, Azerbaijan’s military triumph in the Karabakh region and the liberation of occupied territories bear significant international importance. This event has been closely monitored by the international community and has bolstered support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Under the leadership of the country’s President, economic reforms are closely monitored. In recent years, significant steps have been taken toward economic diversification, the development of the non-oil sector, support for small and medium enterprises, and the advancement of agriculture and tourism. Measures such as tax concessions in various sectors, the increase of electronic government services, and the improvement of the investment climate have been implemented in Azerbaijan.
The Head of State has repeatedly attracted global attention with his confident, courageous, and logical speeches at prestigious international organizations like the UN, NATO, and OSCE. The primary reason is his firm and decisive protection of national interests at all levels and his independent foreign policy. Consequently, other world leaders regard him with respect and consideration. In recent years, Azerbaijan has expanded and strengthened diplomatic relations with various countries. Cooperation with the European Union, the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international bodies has intensified. Azerbaijan actively participates in various international organizations and contributes to solving global issues.
The achievements resulting from the political course pursued by the country’s leadership contribute to the nation’s sustainable development and the strengthening of its position on the international stage. These years have been fruitful in terms of diplomatic relations and bilateral ties, leading to the strengthening of Azerbaijan’s bilateral diplomatic relations with many countries over the past four years. Strategic cooperation with friendly and brotherly Turkey (Türkiye) has deepened, with joint projects implemented in military and economic fields. Simultaneously, relations with Russia in energy and security have been solidified, and cooperation on regional stability issues has been expanded. Parallel to this, cooperation with the European Union in energy and transportation has been broadened, confirming Azerbaijan’s significant role in energy security.
Thanks to the successful continuation of policies, Azerbaijan has become a key player in international energy projects. The projects implemented as part of its energy policy have moved beyond regional frameworks to attain global significance. On May 29, 2018, the official opening ceremony of the Southern Gas Corridor was held in Baku, followed by the inauguration of its component, the TANAP pipeline, on June 12. The implementation of the TAP project continues on schedule. The agreement signed on September 20, 1994, in Baku, “The Contract of the Century”, which involves the joint development and production sharing of the “Azeri”, “Chirag”, and “Gunashli” fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, was extended until 2050 on September 14, 2017. This event has ensured foreign investment in the oil sector in Azerbaijan for many years to come.
In recent years, Azerbaijan has achieved significant accomplishments in the field of humanitarian and cultural diplomacy. The country has organized the Baku Humanitarian Forum and other international events, ensuring active participation in cultural and humanitarian issues on the international stage. Additionally, various projects have been implemented to promote and preserve Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage globally. These international successes, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, have contributed to strengthening Azerbaijan’s position as a strong and reliable partner in both regional and global arenas.
Our country, which has successfully hosted numerous prestigious international events, will host another global event this year – the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This event surpasses other events held in our country in terms of importance, scale, and mission. During the event, Baku will be the focal point of the world, welcoming approximately 70-80 thousand foreign guests. From this perspective, COP29 holds significant political importance for Azerbaijan and can be seen as a major success of our foreign policy.
The achievements under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, including social policy, economic reforms, national security, and international successes, form the foundation of the people’s trust in their leader. This trust solidifies the unity between the people and the government, carrying the Azerbaijani people toward a stronger future.
Aydin TAGHIYEV
Writer and researcher journalist
