Leyla Aliyeva

Leyla together with her sister own number of banks in Azerbaijan. She is listed as ultimate owner of Pasha Bank,[9] Kapital Bank,[10] Xalq Bank[11] as per their IFRS reporting and ExpressBank according to records collected by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).[12]

Aliyeva is Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation,[13] a non-commercial organisation that carries out a mixture of charitable, cultural and political ambassadorial projects, presided over by her mother Mehriban Aliyeva, the country's First Lady and vice-president.

Since 10 May 2007, Aliyeva has headed the representative office of the Foundation in Russia.[14] As part of these programmes, she drives charitable initiatives, often with an emphasis on supporting underprivileged young people.[15]

On 1 November 2011, Aliyeva was presented with a "Key to Life" award at the annual benefit ball of the US charity Children's Cancer & Blood Foundation.[16]

Leyla Aliyeva gives a speech in Jewish Museum in Moscow

The initiative International Dialogue for Environmental Action (IDEA), announced by Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva on 12 July 2011 will serve as a platform for active involvement of the youth with the global movement on sustainable development.[17]

According to her, environmental problems associated with climate change, increased carbon emissions, increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, processes in the oceans, drought and humanitarian crisis in different parts of the world cannot leave the younger generation indifferent.

The vision of the campaign is: "Releasing the power of youth to create greater harmony with our global environment." The IDEA campaign entails a number of actions aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues and the need to protect the environment among young people and the international community.

In 2012 as a founder of IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action),[18] Leyla Aliyeva initiated The Children’s Eyes On Earth project with Reza,[19] one of the best-known photojournalists in the world. Later, within the framework of that project The Children's Eyes On Earth International Youth Photography Contest[20] was launched, becoming a great opportunity for youth to raise awareness about important environmental issues, with photographs on the themes "I Love Nature and I Fear Pollution." The main idea behind the contest was to create an opportunity to share experiences and to help promote an understanding of some of the challenges facing our planet and to establish one of the main platforms to inspire families, business people, decision-makers, politicians and others around the world to take action.

Leyla Aliyeva with her parents

Aliyeva promotes Azerbaijani culture in Russia. She has long been active in working with young Azerbaijanis who study and live in Russia and Europe.[21] Leyla Aliyeva is guided in her public work by the slogan, "We must stick together and cooperate"[22] Aliyeva initiated and leads the International Awareness Campaign "Justice for Khojaly, Freedom for Karabakh" and on 18 April 2009. On 24 February 2012 Leyla Aliyeva attended opening ceremony of "Park of Friendship" and unveiled a monument to victims of Khojaly Massacre in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[23] Leyla Aliyeva was elected Chairwoman of the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia (AYOR). For example, one particular project by the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia, called "Blood Has No Nationality", involves young Azerbaijanis donating blood for sick children.[21]

On 30 June 2012 Leyla Aliyeva attended a special meeting called "New leaders for tomorrow" of Crans Montana Forum and delivered speech about environmental issues and importance of the young generation in this sphere.

Leyla Aliyeva has implemented various projects - films, charity events, campaigns for the rights of animals, youth actions.[24]

Since 10 May 2007, Leyla heads the representative office of the Foundation in Russia. As part of these programmes, Leyla drives charitable initiatives, often with a focus on supporting underprivileged youths.[24]

Leyla Aliyeva was the executive producer of Ali and Nino, while it was written by British screenwriter Christopher Hampton and directed by British filmmaker Asif Kapadia. Based on the novel of the same name by an Azerbaijani writer, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016.[25]

On 22 November 2011, she was awarded with a UN certificate and an unspecified commendation.[26]

On 5 April 2013, Leyla Aliyeva was honoured with the “For Protecting the Environment” Prize by the Board of the Organizing Committee of the 7th International Project Olympiad for Protection of the Environment.[27]

On 20 December 2013, she was decorated with Order of St. Olga 3rd Grade of the Russian Orthodox Church, and was awarded the “For Services to Volgograd Region” Prize.[28]

In May 2015, Leyla Aliyeva was conferred on the title of a Goodwill Ambassador of UN Food and Agriculture Organization for her contributions.[29]

On 20 October 2015, Leyla Aliyeva was awarded the Pushkin Medal of the Russian Federation. On 4 November 2015, at a reception in honour of the People’s Unity Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the "Pushkin" Medal to Leyla Aliyeva.[30]

On 28 September 2016, by a decision of the Moscow State International Relations Institute's Scientific Council, she was conferred on "Medal of Merit".[27]