Azerbaijan is now one of the countries that has become a center for influential international initiatives on a global scale. Following the World Urban Forum, the hosting of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Baku is a clear indicator of our country’s growing international influence and credibility. As President Ilham Aliyev noted, all of this demonstrates how multifaceted and broad Azerbaijan’s operational agenda is. These thoughts were expressed by Rashad Mahmudov, a member of the Board of the New Azerbaijan Party and a deputy of the Milli Majlis.
The deputy stated that special importance is attached to cooperation with Islamic countries in our country’s foreign policy. Strengthening and developing Islamic solidarity is one of the important directions of Azerbaijan’s international activities. Hosting this prestigious event in our country is another expression of the mutual trust formed between Azerbaijan and the Islamic world, and the recognition of our country as a space for dialogue and cooperation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the meeting, the head of state emphasized that Azerbaijan hosting this prestigious event for the second time is a clear indicator of the close cooperation, mutual trust, and successful partnership existing between our country and the Islamic Development Bank Group. Recalling the first Annual Meeting held in Baku in 2010, the President noted that the event gave a significant impetus to Azerbaijan’s economic reforms, especially the steps taken towards diversifying the economy and reducing dependence on the energy sector. In addition, the head of state said that important changes have taken place in Azerbaijan and the region over the past period, but against the background of these changes, our country has maintained a stable and sustainable development line. This is the result of Azerbaijan’s policy, which is based on national interests, open to international cooperation, and committed to global partnership. The President also noted that despite the difficult path Azerbaijan has traveled during its independence, it has been marked by stable development and state-building. This situation, while forming the basis of the country’s economic and social development, has further strengthened its position as a reliable partner at the regional and global levels. Speaking about our country’s economic power, President Ilham Aliyev stated that renewable energy is one of the areas where Azerbaijan has great potential, and as a result of contracts signed with international and local companies, it is planned to create 8 gigawatts of solar and wind energy production capacity in our country by 2032. Currently, the main focus is on the creation of transmission lines and the formation of energy export infrastructure. This is because the additional energy to be produced in the country has export potential. One of the main markets in this direction is Europe, and the European Union’s demand for electricity will remain high for a long time in the future.
In conclusion, the deputy noted that sound cooperation with Islamic countries and the position demonstrated by Azerbaijan in the direction of the solidarity of the Islamic world are indicators of the development of relations with these countries in an efficient and mutually beneficial direction. The holding of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Baku shows that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the horizons of Azerbaijan’s international cooperation are expanding even further. As a country of initiatives, Azerbaijan actively participates in shaping the international agenda, stands at the forefront of global processes, and creates favorable conditions for open discussion of current issues. The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group held in our country was the next confirmation of this. This prestigious event once again demonstrated Azerbaijan’s growing influence in the international arena, its position as a reliable partner, and its contributions to global cooperation.