President Aliyev presented with USACC leadership award

The event was attended by Azerbaijan Minister of Finance Samir Sharifov, Minister of Economy and Industry Shahin Mustafayev, Acting Minister of Communications and High Technologies Iltimas Mammadov, Executive Director of State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) Shahmar Movsumov, Deputy Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Commerce Michael Lally, BP Regional President Gordon Birrell, Deputy Chief of Mission of U.S. Embassy Dereck Hogan, Honorary Advisor of USACC John Sununu, USACC Co-Chairmen Reza Vaziri and Bill Delahunt, deputy ministers, delegates of U.S. trade mission, other high-ranking government officials, top executives and representatives of business community, heads of international organizations and representatives of diplomatic corps.

USACC Executive Director Susan Sadigova opened the program by welcoming distinguished guests and by briefing the audience about the history of the organization and its contribution to the expansion of business and trade ties between U.S. and Azerbaijan.

USACC Co-Chairmen, Reza Vaziri and Congressman (Ret.) Bill Delahunt, took the stage next and elaborated on the mission of the organization. Co-Chair Vaziri highlighted the support that USACC received from late President Heydar Aliyev during the early years of USACC and highly appreciated and hailed the support from President Ilham Aliyev.

Minister of Finance Samir Sharifov then congratulated USACC with 20th anniversary, praised the contribution of USACC to U.S. – Azerbaijan business and trade relations by stating that increased membership is a proof of excellent work carried out by USACC.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of USACC "Leadership Award" to President Ilham Aliyev for his outstanding support and personal leadership to USACC. On behalf of the President, the award was received by Minister Samir Sharifov.

Next, Deputy Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Commerce Michael Lally commended on the work carried out by USACC to boost the bilateral relations between the two countries. DAS Lally went on to comment that Azerbaijan has been one of the greatest business partners of U.S. since Azerbaijan's independence and is interested in developing the cooperation with Azerbaijan in non-oil sphere.

The final speaker of the event, DCM of U.S. Embassy Dereck Hogan also welcomed the guests and hailed the work that USACC has done in the past 20 years in bringing two countries together.

The event was followed by performance of Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra and live jazz music.