By Farid Zohrabov

Copyright trend

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 26.​ President
Ilham Aliyev’s meetings in Washington in August 2025 and his
participation this month in the 80th session of the United Nations
(UN) General Assembly in New York reflect the parallel development
of Azerbaijan’s new geopolitical stance, sovereignty-based
diplomacy, and growing economic activity.

The New York visit highlighted Azerbaijan’s rising influence in
the South Caucasus and its strategic role in the Global North-South
and East-West transport corridors. Alongside political dialogue,
President Ilham Aliyev emphasized economic diplomacy, holding
high-level meetings with US officials and leading figures of the
international energy sector. The trip demonstrated that Azerbaijan
acts as a geopolitical actor capable of shaping the international
agenda and exercising strong political will.

In New York, President Ilham Aliyev paired his address to the UN
with a series of discussions with prominent business leaders,
highlighting Azerbaijan’s ambition to present itself as a reliable
partner for global investors. The meetings, particularly with
representatives of the energy, technology, and financial sectors,
signaled that Baku is eager to broaden its appeal and attract
capital for projects ranging from logistics and digital
infrastructure to green energy and education.

Azerbaijan, in the post-conflict period, is not only acting as a
regional leader but is also taking steps to become a global
economic player. President Ilham Aliyev’s messages at major
international platforms, including Washington, New York, Davos, and
COP summits, clearly outlined the state’s strategic economic vision
and the role of diplomacy in implementing it.

Perhaps most telling were the president’s encounters with the
heads of some of the world’s largest investment firms, Blackstone,
Brookfield Asset Management, and Neuberger Berman, which together
oversee trillions of dollars in assets. Conversations with those
firms validated Azerbaijan’s potential well beyond its reputation.
Blackstone’s expertise in real estate, logistics, and digital
networks; Brookfield’s portfolio in renewable energy and
infrastructure; and Neuberger Berman’s investments in industry and
education were highlighted as aligning closely with Baku’s
development plans, illustrating that the country’s new economic
model is gaining recognition in global markets.

The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), long the bedrock of
the nation’s fiscal stability, has emerged as a key player in these
partnerships. By engaging with alternative investment giants, the
fund aims not only to secure financial returns but also to ensure
national development in future-oriented sectors such as digital
technologies, green energy, healthcare, and education by leveraging
international expertise and resources.

Together, these dynamics bolster Azerbaijan’s foothold in the
global economy and investment networks, sharpening its
competitiveness at both the regional and international levels. Just
as importantly, they illustrate the tangible results of the
country’s emerging economic diplomacy, a strategy that officials
say will help sustain long-term growth and resilience in the years

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