Ilham Aliyev facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ilham Aliyev
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| İlham Əliyev | |
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Aliyev in 2024
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| 4th President of Azerbaijan | |
| Assumed office 31 October 2003 |
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| Prime Minister |
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| Vice President | Mehriban Aliyeva |
| Preceded by | Heydar Aliyev |
| 7th Prime Minister of Azerbaijan | |
| In office 4 August 2003 – 31 October 2003 |
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| President | Heydar Aliyev |
| Preceded by | Artur Rasizade |
| Succeeded by | Artur Rasizade |
| Leader of the New Azerbaijan Party | |
| Assumed office 2005 |
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| Deputy | Mehriban Aliyeva |
| Preceded by | Heydar Aliyev |
| Chairman of the Turkic Council | |
| In office 15 October 2019 – 12 November 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Sooronbay Jeenbekov |
| Succeeded by | Recep Tayyip Erdoğan |
| Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement | |
| In office 25 October 2019 – 16 January 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Nicolás Maduro |
| Succeeded by | Yoweri Museveni |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
İlham Heydər oğlu Əliyev
24 December 1961 Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union |
| Political party | New Azerbaijan Party |
| Spouse | |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Alma mater | Moscow State Institute of International Relations |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Signature |  |
Ilham Heydar Oghlu Aliyev (born 24 December 1961) is an Azerbaijani politician. He has been the fourth and current president of Azerbaijan since 2003.
He is known for his long time in office. During his presidency, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continued. This led to a major war in 2020. In this war, Azerbaijan took back control of lands it had lost earlier.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ilham Aliyev is the son of Heydar Aliyev. His father was the president of Azerbaijan from 1993 to 2003. His mother, Zarifa Aliyeva, was an eye doctor. He also has an older sister named Sevil.
In 1977, Ilham Aliyev started studying at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. He continued his studies after graduation. In 1985, he earned a PhD degree in history. From 1985 to 1990, Aliyev taught at the same institute.
After teaching, he led some private businesses from 1991 to 1994. From 1994 to 2003, he worked for SOCAR. This is Azerbaijan's state-owned oil and gas company. He started as vice-president and later became first vice-president. Since 1997, Aliyev has also been the president of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan.
Political Career
In 1999, Ilham Aliyev became the deputy chair of the New Azerbaijan Party. This is the ruling political party. In 2001, he was elected as the first deputy chair. Later, in 2005, he was chosen as the chairman of the party. The party has supported him for president many times.
In 1995, Aliyev was elected to the Parliament of Azerbaijan. From 2001 to 2003, he led Azerbaijan's group to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
In August 2003, while his father was ill, Ilham Aliyev was appointed as Prime Minister.
Presidential Elections
2003 Election
Ilham Aliyev won the presidential election on 15 October 2003. Official results showed he received 76.84% of the votes. Some groups raised concerns about the fairness of this election.
2008 Election
Aliyev was re-elected in 2008 with 87% of the votes. Seven candidates ran in this election. A report from the European Parliament said the elections were mostly peaceful. It also noted some changes to election rules to make them more open.
However, some observers from the PACE were very supportive of Azerbaijan. In 2009, a vote changed the constitution. This change removed limits on how many times a person could be president. This meant Ilham Aliyev could run for president more than twice. Some opposition groups said this was against the constitution.
2013 Election
In the 2013 presidential elections, Aliyev won with 85% of the vote. This secured his third five-year term. A day before voting, the election results were accidentally shown on a smartphone app. The app showed Aliyev as the winner before people had even voted. Election officials said it was a mistake and showed old results.
Observers from the OSCE said there were limits on free speech during the elections. The US State Department also said the elections did not meet international standards.
2018 Election
Ilham Aliyev won 86.02% of the votes in the 2018 presidential election. Many main opposition parties did not take part in this election. There were also questions about how fair the election was.
Policies and Relations
Foreign Policy
Under Aliyev, Azerbaijan has worked to build strong relationships with many countries. This includes closer ties with the European Union (EU) and good economic links with Russia. Azerbaijan also works with NATO and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Azerbaijan uses its oil wealth to build good relationships with other countries. This includes hosting special events and giving gifts to promote a positive image of the country.
In 2019, Azerbaijan became the chair of the Turkic Council. It also chaired the Non-Aligned Movement for three years.
United Nations
Ilham Aliyev has spoken at the UN General Assembly several times. He gave speeches in 2004, 2010, and 2017.
European Union
Aliyev has worked to increase cooperation with the European Union (EU). In 2004, Azerbaijan joined the EU's neighborhood policy. In 2006, Aliyev signed an agreement for a special partnership with the EU.
In 2009, Azerbaijan became part of the Eastern Partnership Policy. In 2011, Aliyev signed a declaration about the "Southern Gas Corridor." This project helps bring natural gas to Europe.
In 2017, Aliyev visited Brussels, the EU's capital. He met with important EU leaders. This led to a new "Partnership Priorities" agreement in 2018.
France
In March 2017, Aliyev visited France. He met with leaders of big French companies. He also met with the French President. During the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, France supported Armenia. Aliyev asked French President Emmanuel Macron to apologize for some comments.
Russia
On 6 February 2004, Aliyev and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement. This agreement set out the rules for relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. They have signed other agreements since then. These agreements focus on economic cooperation.
United States
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Aliyev has met with several U.S. Presidents. These include George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
Azerbaijan has joined NATO's Individual Partnership Action Plan. This plan helps countries work more closely with NATO. Azerbaijan has also helped with NATO missions, like the one in Afghanistan.
Domestic Policy
Religious Policy
In 2017, Ilham Aliyev declared it the "Year of Islamic Solidarity." He provided money to support events related to this. He has also given funds to promote understanding between different religions. This includes restoring historical monuments in Azerbaijan.
International Sporting Events
Azerbaijan has a lot of oil money. This has allowed the country to host many big international sports events.
Aliyev has been the president of the National Olympic Committee since 1997. Under his leadership, Azerbaijan hosted the 2015 European Games and the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games. It also hosted the 42nd Chess Olympiad and the 2016 European Grand Prix. Aliyev often attends these events and gives out awards.
Economic Policy
When Aliyev became president in 2003, Azerbaijan's economy was growing fast. This was thanks to its oil and gas. From 2005 to 2007, Azerbaijan had one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The oil money helped make Aliyev's government strong. It also made many people in power very rich.
However, when oil prices dropped, Azerbaijan's economy faced challenges. The country still relies heavily on oil and gas. The International Monetary Fund has asked Azerbaijan to try and grow other parts of its economy. Aliyev has sometimes criticized his own government officials for how they manage the economy.
Personal Life
Ilham Aliyev married Mehriban Aliyeva on 22 January 1983. They have three children: Leyla, Arzu, and Heydar. They also have five grandchildren.
He can speak Azerbaijani, English, French, Russian, and Turkish very well. His wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, is the first Vice President of Azerbaijan.
Honours and Awards
Ilham Aliyev has received many awards and honours from Azerbaijan and other countries.
From Azerbaijan
- Heydar Aliyev Order
- Order of Sheikhulislam
From Other Countries
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- Order of the Star of Romania (Romania)
- Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia)
- Order of Honor of Georgia (Georgia)
- Order of Stara Planina (Bulgaria)
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor (France)
- Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Poland)
- First Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (Ukraine)
- Order of Mubarak the Great (Kuwait)
- Gold Medal of the Hellenic Republic (Greece)
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Three Stars (Latvia)
- Grand Cross of Faithful Service (Romania)
- Order of Ismoili Somoni (Tajikistan)
- First Class of the Order of the State of Republic of Turkey (Turkey)
- Order of Liberty (Ukraine)
- Order of the Republic of Serbia (Serbia)
- Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy)
- "Friendship" order of Bulgaria (Bulgaria)
- Order of the Golden Eagle (Kazakhstan)
International Awards
- Medal For Distinction in Protection of CIS State Borders (CIS)
- Supreme Order of Turkic World (Organization of Turkic States)
- İhsan Doğramacı Prize for International Relations for Peace (Turkey)
- Prepodobniy Sergiy Rodonejskiy first degree Order of Russian Orthodox Church (Russia)
- Grand Cordon Order of Merit (International Military Sports Council)
Honorary Degrees
Aliyev has also received special degrees from universities in many countries. These include Turkmenistan, Belarus, Russia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Romania, Jordan, Hungary, Azerbaijan, and South Korea.
See also
- Politics of Azerbaijan
