On September 25, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Adebayo Ogunlesi, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a global infrastructure investment firm operating under BlackRock, one of the world's leading asset management companies.

Operativ Media reports that during the meeting, they recalled the head of state's meeting with Adebayo Ogunlesi in Davos in January of this year.

They highlighted the importance of the long-term cooperation protocol of intent signed in Davos between the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), BlackRock, and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).

During the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the development of investment cooperation between Azerbaijan and the company, and exchanged views on the results achieved and prospects for expanding the partnership.

It was emphasized that the partnership established between the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) already covers concrete international investment projects. In this regard, they noted that the Fund, jointly with the company, has invested in Italy's high-speed train operator Italo and London's Gatwick Airport.

The sides exchanged views on investment opportunities in Azerbaijan's infrastructure sector, including potential cooperation in digital and transport infrastructure.

During the conversation, they touched upon the importance of the Second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum organized in Baku under the patronage of President Ilham Aliyev, and the Azerbaijan Infrastructure Investment Dialogue held within its framework, co-organized by the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) and BlackRock. It was emphasized that companies managing assets worth $30 trillion participated in these events.

Notably, Global Infrastructure Partners has been operating under BlackRock, the world's largest investment management company, since 2024. BlackRock, which manages $15.3 trillion in assets, is a global investment firm specializing in energy, transport, digital infrastructure, water, and waste management. Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) manages $170 billion in assets. The company is also one of the key founders of the global Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Fund, alongside BlackRock, Microsoft, and MGX.