President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan has developed “a unique experience in how to build cities and villages from scratch” while highlighting the country’s role in urban development and Europe’s energy security.
Speaking in Baku during the 13th United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13), Aliyev described hosting the event as “a great honour” for Azerbaijan.
“182 countries have gathered here. And this is a good demonstration of respect for Azerbaijan,” he told Euronews' Jane Witherspoon, noting that the number of participants had reached a record high.
The President said the forum provided an opportunity for Azerbaijan to present its achievements and future plans in urban development while also learning from international partners.
“Harmony between the preservation of historical heritage and architectural heritage and the need to modernise the cities should go hand in hand,” Aliyev said.
President Aliyev described Azerbaijan’s reconstruction efforts in Garabagh and East Zangezur as “a unique experience in how to build cities and villages from scratch” following years of devastation in the formerly occupied territories.
“It was unfortunately due to the large-scale devastation of the occupied territories, so we had to do it,” he said.
Aliyev noted that around 85,000 people had already returned to the region over the past five years as reconstruction efforts continued.
“So electricity is number one,” he said, adding that Azerbaijan had already commissioned 307 megawatts of hydropower, while another 340 megawatts of solar power was under construction.
He also highlighted large-scale transport and infrastructure projects, including tunnels, bridges, railways, schools and hospitals. Smart city and smart village concepts are also being implemented throughout the region.
“This really, for those countries which suffered similar problems like we did, could be a pattern for reconstruction,” Aliyev stated.
President Aliyev said Azerbaijan’s cooperation with Europe in the energy sector accelerated after the launch of the Southern Gas Corridor in 2020.
“In terms of the number of countries to which we supply gas via pipelines, we are number one. The number is growing,” he said.
According to the President, Azerbaijan currently supplies natural gas to 16 countries, including 10 European Union member states. He noted that demand for Azerbaijani gas continued to increase as Europe sought alternative energy sources.
“So it's a win-win situation. We need a premium market, which is Europe. And Europe needs an alternative source of supply, which is Azerbaijan,” Aliyev said.
He also announced that Azerbaijan was preparing to begin gas production from a new field in the near future.
Commenting on tensions in the Middle East and the Hormuz crisis, President Aliyev said Azerbaijan’s diversified energy routes and infrastructure had protected the country from major supply chain disruptions.
“We always advocate for diplomacy,” he said, adding that regional cooperation had been essential to Azerbaijan’s energy strategy and international connectivity projects.
“Without diplomacy, we wouldn't have been able to deliver our resources to the markets,” Aliyev noted.
The President added that Azerbaijan’s experience in establishing cooperation between producers, transit countries and consumers could become even more important as countries reconsider energy policies following regional crises.
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, as Reut...
Senior officials from Azerbaijan and Armenia held a working meeting in Dilijan, Armenia, on 14 June to discuss issues related to the peace agenda betw...
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and D...
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celeb...
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconfer...
Armenia’s National Assembly election on 7 June is increasingly being viewed not only as a domestic political contest, but also as a vote that could shape the future direction of the South Caucasus.
The 13th edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku showed Azerbaijan’s “meaningful contribution to multilateralism,” the country’s President Ilham Aliyev has said.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has held a series of high‑level meetings with world leaders and delegations on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku, with discussions focusing on energy, economic cooperation and international partnerships.
Azerbaijani President met with UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach in Baku on 16 May ahead of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), with both sides highlighting Azerbaijan’s preparations and expanding cooperation in urban development.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
The global race to develop quantum computing is accelerating, with governments and technology firms investing heavily in what is expected to become a major new computing era.
Senior officials from Azerbaijan and Armenia held a working meeting in Dilijan, Armenia, on 14 June to discuss issues related to the peace agenda between the two countries.
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the trend is supported by investment activity, industrial expansion and large-scale infrastructure projects.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Georgia to implement reforms to tackle youth unemployment. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged 15-24 are without a job in the country, according to World Bank data.
Kazakhstan’s ruling Amanat party has announced it will merge with a party launched only a month ago by allies of the country’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
An Indian pollution regulator has accused a Tata components factory supplying Apple iPhones of contaminating groundwater near farmland with wastewater, raising the prospect of a forced shutdown unless the company provides a satisfactory response.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment