Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The 2013 World Economic Forum started on Wednesday in Davos, Switzerland. More than 2,600 people are attending the four-day annual meeting, which was first conceived in January 1971 when a group of European business leaders met under the auspices of the European Commission and European industrial associations.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who is attending the Forum, joined the session, "Meeting of Oil and Gas Executives", held on the sidelines of the Forum on Thursday.

The session was also attended by renowned oil and gas industry experts.

President Aliyev spoke about cyber security and overall security in the oil sector of Azerbaijan.

The President spoke about Azerbaijan's long-standing participation in global energy projects and the country's achievements in this area. President Aliyev noted that security measures in Azerbaijan's energy sector were organized at a high level and there have not been any problems in this regard for many years.

Stressing that Azerbaijan was playing an important part in regional energy security, the President spoke about the country's efforts in this area and the measures to be taken in the future.

President Aliyev also attended the "New Dawn for Central Asia" session as part of the Forum.

Addressing the session, which was joined by officials from several countries and representatives of international organizations, President Aliyev spoke of the economic development in Azerbaijan.

The President noted that Azerbaijan has been posting dynamic growth in recent years, and the gross domestic product has tripled.

Speaking about Azerbaijan's successes in the energy sector, President Aliyev said the country's non-oil sector was also in the spotlight and that numerous projects were being implemented.

The government is providing consistent support for these sectors of the economy.

Touching upon the diversification of the Azerbaijani economy, President Aliyev spoke about the importance of the country's participation in global economic and energy projects.

The President also touched upon regional cooperation and other issues, and answered questions.

President Aliyev met with Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab in Davos on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the sides praised the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the World Economic Forum, saying it entered a new stage.

President Aliyev and Klaus Schwab noted that the Forum contributes to cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

They noted that agreement was reached to hold the Davos World Economic Forum in Baku this April, adding that it will be an important event.

Schwab expressed hope that the World Economic Forum in Baku would contribute to developing cooperation and integration in the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

President Aliyev met a number of state representatives and business leaders on the sidelines of the Davos forum.

The head of state held meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli Maurer and Ukraine`s former President Leonid Kuchma.

The Azerbaijani President discussed a number of issues with Cesare Mainardi, the Chief Executive Officer of the US consulting company on global projects Booz & Company, Chief Executive Officer of Holcim Group Bernard Fontana, Managing Director of management consulting firm McKinsey & Company Dominic Barton, and BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg.

The President also met with such businessmen as the Chief Executive Officer of International Finance Corporation Jin-Yong Cai, Total Chief Executive Christophe de Margerie, President of Microsoft International Jean-Philippe Courtois, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Suma Chakrabarti, and President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space Jean Loic Galle.