On May 10, Azerbaijan celebrates the 101st anniversary of the birth of its national leader, Heydar Aliyev. The Azerbaijani people view this day as an occasion to celebrate their struggle and honorable history, expressing their endless gratitude to this leader and his living legacy. Heydar Aliyev’s wise leadership, political acumen, and diplomatic approach have left an indelible mark. In Azerbaijan’s journey, it played a pivotal role in shaping its relations with the UAE.
Heydar Aliyev was born on May 10, 1923 in Nakhchivan, and despite his humble beginnings, he succeeded in becoming the national leader of Azerbaijan, which demonstrates his flexibility, distinguished thought, and dedication to defending his nation. This was evident in all periods of his national career, starting from his work as First Secretary of Soviet Azerbaijan between 1969 and 1982, until he assumed the position of President of the Independent Republic of Azerbaijan between 1993 and 2003, where Heydar Aliyev led his country through difficult times and laid the foundations for stability, progress and prosperity. .
An exceptional personality
Heydar Aliyev was an exceptional personality who shaped the modern history of Azerbaijan. His wise steps contributed to directing the energies of the Azerbaijani people and reviving their national spirit. He began to aspire to liberation, progress, and following in the footsteps of his ancestors in establishing an independent and strong state. He was also able to direct the potential of his people towards national development after their country faced the risk of being erased from the political map due to the Armenian occupation, external pressures and internal conflicts.
Heydar Aliyev’s primary goal was to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict on the basis of the rules and principles of international law, and he mobilized all the resources of his country and the capabilities of his people to restore historical justice. Thus, the state of Azerbaijan was able to protect its sovereignty and regain its independence, achieving a glorious victory in the 44-day national war. Heydar Aliyev, who left an indelible mark on his country’s annals, was always proud to be an Azerbaijani citizen, and later became a source of pride for his people and a national symbol of Azerbaijan throughout the world.
Heydar Aliyev’s impact extended beyond the borders of Azerbaijan, and his forward-looking vision and diplomatic skill played a decisive role in strengthening strong relations between Azerbaijan and the UAE, as Heydar Aliyev realized the importance of building bridges between countries. Under his leadership, bilateral relations between the two friendly countries flourished.
Heydar Aliyev’s personal friendship with the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, served as a cornerstone of mutual understanding between the two countries, and their shared vision of peace, cooperation and respect laid the foundation for a strong partnership that still thrives today.
Heydar Aliyev actively sought to develop relations between the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan in many fields, from energy and trade to culture and tourism. The two countries established strong cooperation relations that benefited their economies and enriched the lives of their citizens.
In the context of Baku hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-29) this year, it is necessary to praise Heydar Aliyev’s efforts directed towards environmental sustainability and climate policies in Azerbaijan, which paved the way for the country to chair this particular international conference. Based on his belief in the importance of addressing climate change and its effects on future generations, Heydar Aliyev began taking many strategic measures to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable development practices. For example, under his leadership, Azerbaijan implemented several policies to diversify energy sources, reduce carbon emissions, and promote energy efficiency. In addition, Heydar Aliyev attached special importance to protecting biodiversity and natural resources in Azerbaijan, calling for environmental conservation and sustainable land management practices. His forward-looking approach to climate policy has laid the foundation for Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to address environmental challenges and contribute to global sustainability initiatives.
On this special day, we must pay tribute to the honorable legacy of Heydar Aliyev and the lasting friendship between Azerbaijan and the UAE. Heydar Aliyev’s vision, leadership, and steadfast commitment to building bridges between countries made him a role model in leadership.
