New York talks and Azerbaijan’s global role Caliber.Az review

This week’s events have once again highlighted Azerbaijan’s growing influence on the global stage. The country’s active efforts to support the core goals of the United Nations, alongside its expanding role in major international energy and transcontinental transport projects, are increasingly recognised and backed by leading global powers.

In particular, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, President Ilham Aliyev held a series of high-level meetings with heads of state, leaders of international organisations, and representatives of major investment companies.

The success of Azerbaijan’s efforts to strengthen business and investment ties was further demonstrated at the recently held 1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2025) in Baku, which showcased the country’s growing appeal as a hub for international investment.

Azerbaijan has long been a leader in the post-Soviet space in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015. As part of its SDG initiatives through 2030, the country is steadily improving its standing in the global sustainability index by addressing key challenges such as climate change mitigation, production of affordable “green” energy, food security, sustainable urban development, and the promotion of investment in digitalisation, transport infrastructure, and modern, environmentally friendly production.

Azerbaijan’s achievements include close partnerships with the United Nations through initiatives such as the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), held in April 2016 in Baku under the theme “Living Together in Inclusive Societies: A Challenge and A Goal.” The forum brought together over 1,500 participants from 120 countries, including heads of state, former leaders, and other prominent figures.

Additionally, Azerbaijan has been elected to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) during 2003–2005, 2017–2019, and again since early 2025, and served as a member of the UN Human Rights Council from 2006–2009.

Equally successful was the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29), held in Baku in November last year. The summit played a crucial role in advancing global climate commitments and in supporting developing countries in their transition to green energy.

Looking ahead, in 2026, Baku will host the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), the UN’s largest global platform dedicated to promoting inclusive and sustainable urban development. In this regard, Azerbaijan’s unprecedented urban development projects in the Karabakh region—unique in their scale and investment volume—position the country among the UN’s key partners.

At the same time, against the backdrop of a strengthened political dialogue between Azerbaijan and the United States, the two countries are ready to expand cooperation in the field of alternative investment strategies. This includes adopting the expertise, strategies, and methods of leading North American firms in the management of alternative financial assets. Notably, on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President Ilham Aliyev held talks with executives of the world’s largest alternative investment management companies: Brookfield Asset Management, Blackstone, and Neuberger Berman.

As part of the events marking the 80th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the UN headquarters. The discussions underscored the significant role of U.S. President Donald Trump in advancing the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as in facilitating the establishment of an unimpeded transport corridor between mainland Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. This development represents a major breakthrough for expanding the infrastructure of the Middle Corridor and enhancing regional connectivity.

The normalisation of relations between Baku and Yerevan was also a central theme in President Aliyev’s meeting with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset, who reaffirmed his support for the regional peace agenda. The two sides additionally exchanged views on future cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe.

Further talks on the implementation of peace in the South Caucasus and on strengthening bilateral relations were held between President Aliyev and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, as well as Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

At the heart of the New York negotiations was the issue of energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union, particularly in the context of the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC). Today, Azerbaijan stands as a pivotal partner in Europe’s energy diversification strategy, ensuring reliable gas supplies and strengthening the continent’s energy security. Each year, the list of Southern European states importing Azerbaijani natural gas expands—most recently, alongside Greece, Bulgaria has emerged as an important destination.

In this context, President Ilham Aliyev met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, with the two leaders reviewing the prospects of bilateral energy cooperation and exploring opportunities for launching new joint projects.

A central focus of President Ilham Aliyev’s meetings in New York was advancing Azerbaijan–U.S. relations to the level of a strategic partnership, while expanding trade, economic, and investment ties between the two countries. This agenda was highlighted during his talks with Khush Choksy, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where both sides explored cooperation in energy, communications, artificial intelligence (AI), and other sectors within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding establishing a bilateral working group to draft a “Charter on Strategic Partnership.”

The discussions also emphasised the importance of fostering direct contacts between the business communities of both nations, facilitating mutual business delegations, and tapping into the significant potential for cooperation in the tourism sector.

Notably, President Ilham Aliyev’s numerous meetings during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly proved highly productive in establishing direct contacts with leaders of major international investment firms. Among these was a meeting with Adebayo Ogunlesi, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, a U.S.-based firm founded in 2006 that manages approximately $170 billion in assets and operates offices in New York, London, Singapore, Sydney, and other key financial centres worldwide.

During the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev and Global Infrastructure Partners explored opportunities for international infrastructure partnerships and the role of joint investments in this sector. The President emphasised that the company’s expertise in areas such as airport management, energy transition, and AI infrastructure presents significant prospects for future collaboration.

Equally productive was the meeting with Jennifer Johnson, CEO and President of Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s largest and most influential investment management firms. Franklin Templeton manages approximately 1,000 mutual funds totalling around $1.6 trillion and operates through 70 offices in more than 30 countries. Discussions focused on the global investment landscape, improving access to capital markets for developing countries, and the role of international partnerships in economic transformation. It was noted that Franklin Templeton’s expertise in capital markets, infrastructure, real estate, and renewable energy could support Azerbaijan’s economic, financial, and green initiatives, while further strengthening cooperation with the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ).

Among the key outcomes of the meetings in New York was President Ilham Aliyev’s discussion with Michael Arougheti, co-founder and CEO of the global investment firm Ares Management. Established in 1997, Ares Management currently manages approximately $600 billion in assets and ranks among the world’s top three firms in terms of warehouse and logistics investment portfolio size.

During the meeting, the parties discussed opportunities to expand the successful partnership between SOFAZ and Ares Management, which has been ongoing since 2017. They also explored the potential for future investment projects in sustainable infrastructure, logistics, real estate, education, and green energy. President Aliyev emphasised that, from the perspective of developing Azerbaijan’s financial market sustainably and attracting foreign investment, it is essential to further broaden joint initiatives in the field of alternative investment.

The productive meetings in New York, along with the recent outcomes of the AIIF 2025 forum held in Baku under the patronage of the President, underscore the effectiveness of Azerbaijan’s new economic policy. In particular, the forum resulted in the signing of investment agreements for projects worth over $10 billion.

“The 1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum, held in Baku under the patronage of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, once again underscored Azerbaijan’s open and sustainable economic environment for foreign investment, as well as its reliability as a partner for strategic projects and long-term cooperation,” wrote Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov on his X page. “Within the framework of the Forum, agreements were signed for investment projects with a total value exceeding USD 10 billion, of which more than USD 7 billion are directed toward non-oil sector projects to be implemented with foreign participation.”