President

Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev was born on December 24, 1961, in Baku.

In 1977, he entered the Moscow State University of International Relations (MSUIR).

In 1982, upon his graduation, Mr. Aliyev continued his education as a postgraduate student at MSUIR. In 1985, he finalized his research works and received a PhD degree in history. During the years 1985-1990, he gave lectures at the Moscow State University of International Relations.

From 1991 to 1994, he led a group of private industrial-commercial enterprises.

In 1994-2003, he was the vice-president, and later the first vice-president, of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). He was actively involved in the implementation of Heydar Aliyev’s oil strategy. He is the author of numerous research works on the geopolitical aspects of the oil strategy of sovereign Azerbaijan. He holds a doctorate in political sciences. In 1995 and 2000, he was twice elected to the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In 2003, he resigned as a Member of Parliament due to his appointment to the post of Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Since 1997, Mr. Ilham Aliyev has been the President of the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan. For his contributions to the development of sports and the Olympic movement, Mr. Aliyev was awarded the highest order of the International Olympic Committee and the “Grand Cordon” Order of Merit of the International Military Sport Council.

He has been elected deputy chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party in 1999, first deputy chairman in 2001, and the chairman of the Party in 2005.

From 2001 to 2003, he was the head of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

In January 2003, he was elected Deputy-Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and a member of the PACE bureau.

On August 4, 2003, following the approval of the Milli Majlis (Parliament), he was appointed Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On October 15, 2003, he was elected as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. More than 76% of voters supported Ilham Aliyev’s candidacy during the elections. He assumed office on October 31, 2003.

In April 2004, Mr. Aliyev was awarded a medal and diploma as an honorable member of PACE for his active participation in PACE events and commitment to European values. Ilham Aliyev was elected to a second term as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan after acquiring 88% of votes in the elections held on October 15, 2008. He assumed the Office of the President on October 24, 2008.

As a result of the presidential elections held on October 9, 2013, Ilham Aliyev was re-elected by a majority of voters as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 84.54% of voters supported his candidacy. Ilham Aliyev took office on October 19, 2013.

Mr. Aliyev is fluent in Azerbaijani, English, Russian, French, and Turkish.

Mr. Aliyev is married, has three children, and three grandchildren.

For more information: http://www.president.az/