Messages from Davos: Azerbaijan at the center of global and regional security

Last week, global attention turned to the small Swiss resort town of Davos, where the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting took place from January 19 to 23. For politicians, economists, and business leaders alike, the forum proved to be a truly eventful week.

Davos, with its snow-capped peaks, crisp mountain air, and invigorating winter chill, has long been celebrated as a winter wonderland and a premier destination for ski tourism. Yet, during the WEF, its small size brings long queues and traffic jams, a reminder of the adage "time is money." Reports have even surfaced that organizers are considering moving the forum to a larger city in the EU or the United States to ease logistical challenges.

But beyond logistics, the real story of this year's forum was in the atmosphere, the conversations, and the key messages emerging from Davos.

Azerbaijan among the selected

One of the honored participants of the World Economic Forum in Davos was the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. From January 19 to 22, the head of state held intensive and substantive meetings-both at the highest political level with heads of state and government, and with leaders of major international companies.

Particularly noteworthy was President Aliyev's meeting with US President Donald Trump. In Davos, the US President was in the spotlight, speaking frequently on the situations in Greenland and Ukraine and launching the Board of Peace for Gaza. Yet he held individual meetings with only two heads of state-President Aliyev and the President of Ukraine. Media and analysts interpreted this as a sign of the importance the current White House administration places on its relations with Azerbaijan.

The strategic role of Azerbaijan in the Eurasian space was also emphasized in other meetings of President Aliyev in Davos. During the Forum, the Azerbaijani leader met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Kurdistan Regional Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

The economic component of the Azerbaijani President's Davos program was also traditionally intense. Ilham Aliyev met with leaders of major international financial institutions and global companies, including representatives from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Asset Management, J.P. Morgan, and others. Discussions focused on investments and the implementation of joint projects. In particular, under the auspices of the State Oil Fund, documents for investment projects totaling around $3 billion were signed in the presence of the head of state.

The high demand for meetings with President Aliyev in Davos reflects the growing authority of Azerbaijan as a reliable political and economic partner. This is also the result of implementing a peace agenda in the South Caucasus, spearheaded by Ilham Aliyev-stability and security remain key factors attracting the attention of both investors and partner countries.

Openness of Azerbaijan's economy to investors

Alongside numerous bilateral meetings with heads of state, government leaders, and top international companies, President Aliyev also participated in an event organized by the international TV channel Euronews.

On January 20, he took part in the first-ever "Breakfast with the Leadership of Azerbaijan" in Davos, held as an open and substantive discussion. Key topics included Azerbaijan's foreign policy, economic development, and the country's role in regional and global processes amid a changing international environment.

Particular attention in the president's remarks was given to the country's economic strategy and the peace process in the South Caucasus. President Ilham Aliyev shared information about developments in the energy sector, renewable energy projects, transport connectivity, tourism, and economic diversification.

Peace and economic integration in South Caucasus

At the Davos forum, a greater part of the discussion focused on conflicts currently affecting Europe, as well as tensions that could potentially spark new conflicts. Special attention was given to the South Caucasus, where, thanks to Azerbaijan's initiatives over the past five years, the situation is quite different. While Europe debates the conflicts in Ukraine and Greenland, the South Caucasus has closed the chapter of conflict and is talking about peace and economic integration-another key message from Davos.

A panel discussion titled "Defining Eurasia's Economic Identity" included the presidents of Azerbaijan, Serbia, and Armenia.

President Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan and Armenia jointly closed the chapter of war. "I want to be completely honest with you and the audience. We could have continued, but this would have led to endless wars, greater suffering, and more victims. Someone had to stop it. We decided to stop. Yes, it was a joint decision of the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan-to close this chapter and seize the opportunities for peace," said the president.

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan stressed Yerevan's interest in closer trade and economic cooperation.

The main message of this panel was to show the world that a conflict once considered nearly impossible to resolve has now been settled, and the formerly warring countries are discussing how to move forward. That is what once seemed improbable has become a new political reality.

After Davos…

Following the forum, US President Trump expressed gratitude on Truth Social to President Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for upholding the peace agreement signed last August. He also announced that US Vice President J.D. Vance will visit the region in February to continue peace efforts and promote the so-called "Trump Route" toward international peace and prosperity.

All this underscores not only Washington's growing interest in Baku but also Azerbaijan's strengthening position on the international stage. The bilateral meeting between Aliyev and Trump and Azerbaijan's accession to the Board of Peace reinforce the country's status as a strategic US partner in the South Caucasus while opening new opportunities to enhance regional stability.