Leyla Ilham qizi Aliyeva is a prominent Azerbaijani public figure, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and the founder and head of the global environmental campaign IDEA. As the eldest daughter of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, she has focused her work on cultural diplomacy, environmental protection, charity, and youth support.
In modern Azerbaijan, her figure is firmly associated with the promotion of national heritage abroad and the implementation of large-scale humanitarian initiatives that shape the country's positive international image.
As Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation (since 2011), Leyla Aliyeva oversees international projects aimed at popularizing Azerbaijani art, history, and traditions.
"Justice for Khojaly": An international awareness campaign initiated by her in 2008. The project is aimed at conveying the truth about the Khojaly tragedy to the international community, achieving its political and legal assessment, and preventing similar crimes against humanity in the future. The campaign operates successfully in dozens of countries, utilizing petitions, exhibitions, and parliamentary diplomacy.
Publishing Activity: In 2007, she founded "Baku" magazine, becoming its editor-in-chief. The publication, originally released in Moscow and later in an English-language version in London, became a powerful instrument of "soft power," introducing the international audience to the region's culture in a stylish and modern way.
One of the most significant directions of her work is environmental protection. In 2011, Leyla Aliyeva founded the Public Association IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action).
Biodiversity Protection: IDEA implements programs to restore populations of rare and endangered fauna species in the Caucasus. Key projects involve the protection of the Caucasian leopard and the reintroduction of goitered gazelles and Caucasian bison into their natural habitats.
Greening and Urbanism: The campaign has organized the planting of millions of trees across Azerbaijan, initiated the creation of new ecological parks, and regularly conducts coastal cleanup actions along the Caspian Sea.
Education: The establishment of eco-laboratories, shelters for stray animals, and educational programs for youth, designed to change society's attitude toward nature and wildlife.
For many years, Leyla Aliyeva headed AMOR (the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia). This organization played a fundamental role in consolidating Azerbaijani student youth studying abroad, supporting their initiatives, and organizing scientific conferences and sporting events.
Leyla Aliyeva is known not only as the head of foundations but also as a creative personality:
Poetry and Painting: She is the author of several poetry collections (some of her works have been set to music by famous performers) and is actively engaged in painting. Her artworks have been exhibited at prestigious international biennales and charity auctions.
Social Care: Under her direct leadership, programs are implemented to help children deprived of parental care, support orphanages and boarding schools, and conduct regular healthcare initiatives (including blood donation drives for children suffering from thalassemia).
Leyla Aliyeva's multi-vector activities represent a classic example of the effective use of "soft power." Through environmental innovations, art, and international dialogue platforms, she not only contributes to the development of the humanitarian sphere within Azerbaijan but also actively integrates the country into the global sustainable development agenda.
Baku 12° C
