British analyst compares Azerbaijan’s progress to UAE’s five-decade success story

Azerbaijan has achieved in just 15 to 20 years what took the United Arab Emirates half a century to accomplish, according to British researcher and writer Graham Wilson.

Speaking at a panel session within the framework of the 5th International Exhibition on Rebuilding, Reconstruction and Development of Karabakh — Rebuild Karabakh-2025 — Wilson highlighted Azerbaijan’s rapid progress compared to the development trajectory of the UAE, according to domestic media reports.

“Two outstanding leaders of the United Arab Emirates, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, have managed over 50 years to bring together an intelligent, energetic, and capable generation that has led the country to its current position since the 1970s. I think everyone will agree that today, the UAE is in a brilliant position. Azerbaijan, however, demonstrates striking dynamics of development. Even a country like the UAE needed half a century to reach these heights, while Azerbaijan did it in 15-20 years,” Wilson said.

He also praised the scale of reconstruction work underway in Karabakh, emphasising the vital role of journalists in documenting the country’s transformation.

"Covering these processes is the responsibility of journalists. In terms of communication, media, journalism, and storytelling, the situation today is completely different. The stories told by Azerbaijani journalists, the materials they publish are really valuable,” he noted.

The Rebuild Karabakh-2025 exhibition opened on October 14 as part of the 30th Anniversary Caspian Construction Week. The large-scale event includes several parallel exhibitions — the 30th Azerbaijan International Construction Exhibition (BakuBuild), the 17th International Exhibition for Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, Water Supply, Sanitary and Swimming Pool (Aquatherm Baku), the 4th Caspian International Plastics and Polymers Industry Exhibition (Plastex Caspian), and the 13th Caspian International Road Infrastructure and Public Transport Exhibition (Road&Traffic).

Caspian Construction Week, running from October 14–16, 2025, at the Baku Expo Centre, has brought together over 380 companies from 22 countries, including Azerbaijan, Germany, Italy, Türkiye, China, Russia, and the UAE. The key themes this year focus on sustainable reconstruction, green building — aligned with Azerbaijan’s “Green World Solidarity Year” — and digital innovation in infrastructure.

The event’s general sponsor is PMD Group, while NB Group serves as the golden sponsor for BakuBuild.

By Tamilla Hasanova