Azerbaijan has established itself as a significant player in the global energy sector by initiating, financing, and implementing large-scale infrastructure projects, President Ilham Aliyev said during his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group.


"Azerbaijan has become an important actor in the global energy arena, initiating, and financing, and implementing large-scale energy infrastructure projects,” Caliber.Az quotes him as saying.


The head of state emphasised Azerbaijan’s role in developing energy connectivity across Eurasia and ensuring stable supply chains at a time of growing global uncertainty.


The head of state also stated that Azerbaijan has implemented projects connecting countries across Eurasia, providing the necessary energy supply to those who need it, especially at a time when energy supply chains are vulnerable, and when energy security has become one of the main factors of every country's national security.


President Aliyev further highlighted Azerbaijan’s leading position in natural gas exports, stressing the country’s expanding pipeline network and growing international reach.


"With respect to the supply of natural gas, today Azerbaijan is number one from the standpoint of the geography of our pipeline gas supplies,” President Aliyev stressed.


"We supply natural gas to 16 countries, and that number is growing year after year,” the head of state emphasised.


He also underlined Azerbaijan’s broader infrastructure strategy, noting that the country’s investment approach extends beyond national borders.


"While investing heavily in infrastructure, we have concentrated not only on infrastructure inside the country, but also on infrastructure that has an international dimension,” Aliyev said.


The president emphasised the ongoing efforts to transform Azerbaijan, which is geographically landlocked without direct access to the world's oceans, into an international transportation hub.


President Aliyev also spoke about economic diversification and fiscal discipline, noting progress in reducing the country’s external debt.


"The diversification of the economy is already a reality, but we definitely have to continue,” he stressed.


"We managed to reduce our foreign debt, which was a target I set some years ago, and we achieved it – and perhaps even surpassed what we planned,” the head of state noted.


He added that Azerbaijan’s economic outlook remains stable, with social policy forming an integral part of the country’s development strategy.


"We don't foresee any complications with respect to our economic development, and in line with that, hand in hand go our social programs, which are large-scale,” Aliyev said.


Touching upon social policy, the head of state highlighted ongoing support measures implemented in recent years.


"We have implemented several social support packages over the last few years."


President Aliyev also highlighted Azerbaijan’s growing role as a host of major international events, noting the country’s consistent ability to organise high-level global forums successfully.


"We have been a successful host country for many international events since the 2010 annual meeting of the IsDB Group,” President Ilham Aliyev said during his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group.


He pointed to several recent events hosted by Azerbaijan, including COP29 in 2024 and the World Urban Forum.


"Among the recent ones, I would name the successful COP29 held in 2024 with remarkable results. Additionally, last month's World Urban Forum, one of the biggest international gatherings, was also successfully held in Azerbaijan, with many more to come. This once again demonstrates the diversified agenda of our activity,” the head of state added.