President Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2026).

Operativ Media reports that the address reads:

"I cordially welcome you to the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum.

It is a source of deep satisfaction that this Forum once again brings together governments, international organizations, financial institutions, leading companies, investors, and business communities from various countries around the world in Baku.

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. Under such circumstances, stability, connectivity, and reliable partnerships are becoming increasingly important for investments. The emerging peace in the South Caucasus creates new opportunities for regional cooperation, connectivity, trade, and investment, while also supporting deeper economic integration and diversification.

The Azerbaijani economy has demonstrated high resilience against the backdrop of global uncertainty and geopolitical challenges. Economic diversification forms the core of our strategic goals, and the non-oil sector has become the main driving force of economic growth. Since 2020, real GDP growth in the non-oil sector has averaged 5 percent annually, the non-oil industry has grown 1.5 times, and non-oil exports have nearly doubled. As a result, the share of the non-oil sector in GDP reached 72 percent in 2025.

This dynamics is based on a stable and predictable business environment. The macroeconomic stability, investment protection, and favorable business environment ensured in our country create a solid foundation for the long-term trust of investors. Azerbaijan's strategic geographical location, transport and logistics capabilities, modern infrastructure established in economic zones, tax and customs concessions, as well as public-private partnership mechanisms and joint investment funds established with partner countries, open up wide opportunities for investors to participate in sustainable projects and build partnerships that bring technology, capital, and expertise to the entire region.

Our country's global strategic partnerships and growing foreign investment in the non-oil sector pave the way for 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, assessing the outlook for the next period as 'stable' and 'positive' respectively. Our financial stability is further confirmed by our strategic foreign exchange reserves, which exceeded 110 percent of GDP at the end of 2025.

Situated at the crossroads 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, Turkey, and Europe via the Caspian Sea, while 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 the entire Eurasian space.

Azerbaijan is a reliable energy partner for an increasing number of countries. Our vision extends beyond energy supply to include the development of green energy corridors, which enables the integration of renewable energy into regional markets and strengthens 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 restoration and development opportunities emerging in the liberated territories. Special importance is attached to projects that bring 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 create a solid foundation for such cooperation. We will continue to improve these tools and create conditions that allow investors to confidently implement long-term projects.

Our approach to investment is not limited to attracting capital. We highly value technology, expertise, innovation, and access to new markets, prioritizing partnerships that create sustainable value for investors while strengthening the modernization and competitiveness of the Azerbaijani economy. The 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum is an important platform for developing these partnerships.

The outcomes of the 1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum clearly demonstrated the growing interest in Azerbaijan. Last year, investment agreements worth more than USD 10 billion in total were signed, with over USD 7 billion of this amount accounted for by the non-oil sector.

This year, the geography of participants has expanded even further, with broader representation from international institutions, investors, and leading companies, reflecting both the trust in Azerbaijan and the growing economic significance of the wider region. I hope that important investment projects will be launched with international investors and partner companies within the framework of the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum.

I am confident that the discussions in Baku will stimulate concrete initiatives and long-term cooperation, contributing to the strengthening of economic ties, increased connectivity, and common prosperity in the region.

I wish the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum success, and wish all participants productive discussions and mutually beneficial partnerships."

10:05

President Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the Second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum.

Operativ Media reports that the address was delivered by Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov.