The Victorious Commander-in-Chief, Honorable President Ilham Aliyev — 22 Years of Leadership: The Rise of Azerbaijan’s Construction Sector

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of Mr. Ilham Aliyev’s first election as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Over the past years, as a result of the strategic development course implemented under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Azerbaijan has transformed into a leading economic and infrastructure center of the region.

Under the leadership of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief, our country has gone down in history as the first state in the post-Soviet space to fully restore its territorial integrity. This historic Victory, achieved under his command, strengthened Azerbaijan’s statehood and opened a new stage in the development of the national economy, especially in the construction and urban planning sectors.

Over the past two decades, as a result of extensive construction and beautification works, the capital Baku and the regions have changed beyond recognition. Hundreds of bridges, highways, industrial parks, ports, energy and water infrastructure facilities, as well as new cities and towns, have been built.

Under the leadership of Honorable President Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the “Great Return” program being implemented in Karabakh and East Zangazur is considered a model of exemplary global practice in applying modern urban development concepts to the liberated territories. The “smart cities” and “green energy zones” being established in Fuzuli, Zangilan, Lachin, and Jabrayil clearly demonstrate the realization of Azerbaijan’s sustainable construction strategy.

During Mr. Ilham Aliyev’s presidency, Azerbaijan’s economy has grown more than fourfold, while strategic foreign exchange reserves have increased from 2 billion to 80 billion US dollars. During this period, state and private investments directed into the construction sector have reached hundreds of billions of manats, creating tens of thousands of employment opportunities for engineers, architects, and builders.

Based on the analysis conducted by the Azerbaijan Construction Manufacturers Association, it can be confidently stated that the construction activities in the country now comply with international standards, and significant achievements have been attained in this direction. This is a practical result of the reforms implemented under the leadership of the Honorable President.

In the new era, Azerbaijan’s construction industry will be based on the principles of digitalization, energy efficiency, and green architecture. The new regulations adopted within the framework of the “Azerbaijan 2030” national priorities ensure the environmental and technological sustainability of infrastructure projects.

At the same time, the steps taken to create a competitive investment environment, introduce transparent tender mechanisms, and reduce the shadow economy further enhance the transparency of the construction sector.

During the 22 years of exemplary leadership of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief, Honorable President Mr. Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has become known not only as a political and military power in the region but also as a leader in modern urban development and the construction industry. Today, the “Azerbaijan” brand has become synonymous with quality, sustainability, and innovation.

The achievements of Azerbaijan’s construction sector are a real embodiment of the core principle of President Ilham Aliyev’s state philosophy — the idea of “A strong state, a prosperous citizen.”

Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Construction Manufacturers Association (ATIA)