Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, held a series of meetings in Davos from January 20 to 22 with leaders of global companies and prominent political figures to discuss economic cooperation, regional security, and bilateral relations. Topics included Azerbaijan’s economic transformation, its role in the energy sector, and partnerships with countries such as Latvia, Iraq, Germany, Israel, and Ukraine. Discussions also focused on expanding trade, investment, and infrastructure projects.

On January 20, Ilham Aliyev met with Nick Studer, CEO of Oliver Wyman Group, to explore opportunities in Azerbaijan’s economic transformation, financial markets, energy sector, agricultural exports, and trade localization. Studer expressed the company's interest in Azerbaijan’s development and praised its achievements, while Aliyev welcomed potential collaboration with Azerbaijani institutions.

On January 21, Aliyev met with Jared Cohen, President of Global Affairs at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., where they highlighted their successful partnership since 2010, particularly the cooperation between the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan and Goldman Sachs. This collaboration has contributed to Azerbaijan’s financial sector growth and international investment opportunities. Cohen emphasized the firm’s interest in future partnerships in Azerbaijan.

On the same day, Aliyev held a meeting with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, to discuss the company’s operations in Azerbaijan and its involvement in the North-South and East-West transport corridors. The conversation centered on Azerbaijan’s emerging role as a regional transport hub.

Ilham Aliyev also met with Henrik Poulsen, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Carlsberg Group, and Jakob Aarup-Andersen, CEO of Carlsberg. Poulsen commended Azerbaijan’s favorable investment climate and protection of property rights and discussed plans to increase the localization of Carlsberg’s products in Azerbaijan.

On January 22, Aliyev met with Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), at her request. Renaud-Basso congratulated Azerbaijan on its successful hosting of COP29 and discussed projects like financing the water management system in Ganja. The meeting also addressed the export of green energy to Europe and regional cooperation with Georgia and Central Asia. The event concluded with a loan agreement signing ceremony for the reconstruction of Ganja’s water supply and wastewater system, signed by Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and EBRD First Vice President Jürgen Rigterink.

In addition to economic discussions, Aliyev held meetings with several political leaders. On January 21, he met with Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Latvia; Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, President of Iraq; Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany; Isaac Herzog, President of Israel; and Johnnie Moore, President of the U.S. Congress of Christian Leaders.

Rinkēvičs offered condolences regarding the recent plane crash and emphasized strengthening bilateral ties, while Aliyev thanked him and highlighted the importance of their discussions. In a meeting with Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, Aliyev expressed gratitude for Iraq’s condolences and discussed launching direct flights, enhancing intergovernmental commission activities, and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. Masrour Barzani conveyed greetings from Nechirvan Barzani and proposed strengthening economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties through reciprocal visits, business contacts, and forums.

Aliyev also reflected on past engagements with Olaf Scholz, discussing Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the EU and regional stability. Scholz reiterated Germany’s support for peace in the South Caucasus. In his meeting with Isaac Herzog, Aliyev and Herzog praised the strong Azerbaijan-Israel relationship, economic cooperation, and Azerbaijan’s historical commitment to peaceful coexistence and Azerbaijani-Jewish ties.

On January 22, Aliyev met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, to discuss political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation, energy sector projects, and regional security. Aliyev also met with Johnnie Moore to discuss Azerbaijan’s commitment to religious freedoms and interfaith harmony. During this meeting, Aliyev criticized the Biden-Blinken administration for reinstating Section 907, describing it as an act of ingratitude, and expressed optimism about potential future relations under a Trump administration.