President Ilham Aliyev has addressed participants of the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2026).
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports that the address was read by Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov.
I warmly welcome you to the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum.
It is a source of great satisfaction that this forum has once again brought together in Baku governments, international organizations, financial institutions, leading companies, investors and business representatives from various countries around the world.
The theme of this year’s forum — “Restoring trust in a fragmented world: The South Caucasus as a pillar of global connectivity and investment stability” — is particularly relevant today. Global economic relations are changing rapidly, supply chains are being reshaped, and new transport, energy and technological links are emerging. In such circumstances, stability, connectivity and reliable partnerships are becoming increasingly important for investment. The emerging peace in the South Caucasus is creating new opportunities for regional cooperation, connectivity, trade and investment, while also supporting deeper economic integration and diversification.
The Azerbaijani economy has demonstrated strong resilience amid global uncertainty and geopolitical challenges. Economic diversification is at the core of our strategic objectives, and the non-oil sector has become the main driver of economic growth. Since 2020, real GDP growth in the non-oil sector has averaged 5% annually, the non-oil industry has grown 1.5-fold, and non-oil exports have nearly doubled. As a result, the non-oil sector accounted for 72% of GDP in 2025.
This dynamic is based on a stable and predictable business environment. Macroeconomic stability, investment protection and a favorable entrepreneurial climate in Azerbaijan provide a solid foundation for investors’ long-term confidence. Azerbaijan’s strategic geographical location, transport and logistics capabilities, modern infrastructure established in economic zones, tax and customs incentives, public-private partnership mechanisms, and joint investment funds established with partner countries offer investors broad opportunities to participate in sustainable projects and build partnerships that bring technology, capital and expertise to the entire region.
Azerbaijan’s global strategic partnerships and growing foreign investment in the non-oil sector are opening the way to deeper integration into global value chains in areas such as manufacturing, trade, energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
These positive trends have also been recognized by international rating agencies. Fitch and Moody’s have upgraded Azerbaijan’s sovereign credit ratings to investment grade and assessed the outlook for the next period as “stable” and “positive,” respectively. Our financial resilience is further confirmed by strategic foreign exchange reserves, which exceeded 110% of GDP at the end of 2025.
Located at the intersection of the East-West and North-South corridors, Azerbaijan has become an important link and gateway between Asia and Europe. The Middle Corridor connects Central Asia with the South Caucasus, Türkiye and Europe via the Caspian Sea. The emerging Zangezur corridor, also known as the TRIPP connectivity route, will further strengthen Azerbaijan’s role as a regional hub and create new opportunities for trade, investment and industrial cooperation across Eurasia.
Azerbaijan is an increasingly reliable energy partner for a growing number of countries. Our vision extends beyond energy supplies to the development of green energy corridors, enabling the integration of renewable energy into regional markets and strengthening connectivity between Azerbaijan, the broader South Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe.
Alongside the traditional energy sector, Azerbaijan offers significant opportunities in manufacturing, transport and logistics, renewable energy, digital technologies, agriculture and food processing, tourism, infrastructure and other high-value-added sectors, including reconstruction and development opportunities in the territories liberated from occupation. Particular importance is attached to projects that introduce advanced technologies, increase productivity, create skilled jobs and strengthen our integration into regional and global value chains.
Modern infrastructure, industrial parks, the Alat Free Economic Zone and public-private partnership mechanisms provide a strong foundation for such cooperation. We will continue improving these instruments and creating conditions that enable investors to implement long-term projects with confidence.
Our approach to investment is not limited to attracting capital. We highly value technology, expertise, innovation and access to new markets, and prioritize partnerships that create sustainable value for investors while modernizing the Azerbaijani economy and strengthening its competitiveness. The 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum is an important platform for developing these partnerships.
The results of the 1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum clearly demonstrated the growing interest in Azerbaijan. Last year, investment agreements worth more than $10 billion were signed, with over $7 billion of that amount allocated to the non-oil sector.
This year, the geographical representation of participants has expanded further, with international institutions, investors and leading companies represented on a broader scale. This reflects both confidence in Azerbaijan and the growing economic importance of the wider region. I hope that major investment projects will be launched with international investors and partner companies במסגרת the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum.
I am confident that the discussions in Baku will advance concrete initiatives and long-term cooperation, contributing to stronger economic ties, greater connectivity and shared prosperity in the region.
I wish the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum success, and all participants productive discussions and mutually beneficial partnerships.
