US envoy: President Aliyev completely directionally turned his country around

U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, praised Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev for his leadership during a speech at the FII PRIORITY Miami 2026 investment forum in Miami.

Speaking about global leadership, Witkoff said there is “a lot of great leadership out there,” noting that many young leaders could serve as a source of hope for the world. He added that U.S. President Donald Trump maintains close relations with all of them, Caliber.Az reports.

Witkoff specifically cited President Aliyev, saying, “I mean look at President Aliyev from Azerbaijan completely directionally turned his country around.”

He also highlighted Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani as a “beacon of hope for the world” and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud as an example of successful leadership.

He concluded by referencing the Board of Peace, stating that “I think the Board of Peace is really an amalgam of people who think that same way.”

By Sabina Mammadli