On June 18, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, addressed the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group in Baku, highlighting the country's political and economic stability as a key factor behind its development. He stated that Azerbaijan's progress has been driven by a policy based on national interests, constructive relations with international partners, and a commitment to long-term growth. Aliyev noted that since gaining independence 35 years ago, Azerbaijan had experienced continuous development apart from the first years marked by war, occupation, humanitarian challenges, and internal instability. According to him, political, economic, and social stability remain essential not only for Azerbaijan's advancement but also for broader regional development. He stressed that the country expects continued economic growth alongside the implementation of large-scale social programs, including several support packages introduced in recent years.

The president also emphasized Azerbaijan's ambition to strengthen its position as a major transport and logistics hub. He stated that extensive investments have been made in both domestic and internationally significant infrastructure projects, with the goal of transforming the country from a landlocked state into an important transit corridor. Aliyev said Azerbaijan currently supplies natural gas to 16 countries and expects this number to increase further. He added that the country has become a significant actor in the global energy sector through the initiation, financing, and implementation of major infrastructure projects linking countries across Eurasia and contributing to energy security.

Addressing economic diversification, Aliyev stated that the non-oil and gas sector now accounts for more than 70 percent of Azerbaijan's GDP. He described this as a major achievement while acknowledging the need to further increase the share of non-energy exports. According to him, Azerbaijan has attracted more than $350 billion in investments over the past two decades, with nearly half originating from foreign sources. He added that investors continue to view Azerbaijan as a stable destination for capital. Aliyev also pointed to social indicators, stating that both poverty and unemployment stand at around 5 percent. He emphasized that job creation and social development would remain priorities, particularly given the country's growing population. Referring to agriculture, he said the government aims to achieve maximum self-sufficiency in key food products through the implementation of a recently adopted agricultural development program.

Discussing transportation, Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan plans to double the volume of cargo passing through its territory from the current 14–15 million tons. He noted that achieving this objective would depend not only on domestic efforts but also on regional and geopolitical conditions.

Turning to foreign policy, Aliyev argued that Azerbaijan's independent course has earned broad international support. He cited the country's election to the UN Security Council with the backing of 155 states and its unanimous election and subsequent extension as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement as evidence of growing international recognition. Aliyev also addressed the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, criticizing the former OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs — France, Russia, and the US — for what he described as ineffective mediation efforts. He stated that decades of negotiations failed to resolve the conflict and claimed that the mediators were unwilling to pressure Armenia to withdraw from Azerbaijani territories. Recalling the negotiation process, Aliyev said Azerbaijan had repeatedly been told that there was no military solution and warned against taking military action, while, in his view, Armenia faced no meaningful international pressure. The president further accused Armenia of committing war crimes and carrying out "urbicide" during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories in the 1990s. He stated that the occupation created a humanitarian crisis, leaving approximately one million Azerbaijanis displaced. According to Aliyev, the absence of sanctions against Armenia at the time reflected what he called a policy of double standards in international relations.

During the event, Azerbaijan and the Islamic Development Bank Group signed several cooperation documents in the presence of Aliyev and Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, the Chairman of the IsDB Group. The agreements included a framework loan agreement and a grant agreement for the reconstruction of the Karabakh irrigation canal, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding between Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy and the IsDB on the preparation of a Member Country Partnership Strategy.