A high-level dialogue on climate-resilient cities and communities along the Caspian Sea was held on 19 May during the 13th session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
The event, titled “Climate-Resilient Cities and Communities along the Caspian Sea - Unlocking Vertical Climate Finance for Urban Adaptation”, brought together senior government officials, United Nations representatives, international financial institutions and development partners to explore how climate finance and innovation can support urban adaptation across the Caspian region.
Opening the discussion, Azerbaijan’s First Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Agakerim Samadzade, warned that climate impacts are intensifying across the region.
“The impacts of climate change are becoming more critical each year, with rising temperatures and depleting water resources posing new challenges.”
“The decline in the water level of the Caspian Sea has already become a serious problem.”
He added that the consequences are widespread, affecting “the fishing industry, the livelihoods of coastal populations, the tourism economy, and the overall ecosystem.”
The session was moderated by Mahir Aliyev, Regional Coordinator of the United Nations Environment Programme, who underlined the importance of regional coordination on environmental resilience.
Katja Schaefer, Inter-Regional Advisor at UN-Habitat, outlined ongoing efforts to design adaptation projects that can be scaled across the wider Caspian region.
“An adaptation fund project that looks at strengthening the resilience of communities, strengthening biodiversity, livelihoods, but also looking at infrastructure pilot projects that can go to scale across the whole country and the wider region.”
She added that lessons from Azerbaijan could be extended to neighbouring countries.
“We are also aiming to actually use the experiences that we will be having here in Azerbaijan to go to scale in Kazakhstan and in Turkmenistan.”
Norio Saito, Senior Director at the Asian Development Bank, stressed the importance of structured financing models that combine public and private investment.
“Some of the basic infrastructure needs to be financed by the public sector.”
He added that, once foundational systems are in place, private investment opportunities become more viable.
“If you properly structure the projects, then it can be pursued for the public-private partnership arrangement.”
He noted that such frameworks could help attract more private capital into climate-resilient urban infrastructure.
Runze Wang, Programme Manager at the UN-Habitat Azerbaijan Country Office, highlighted a $10 million Adaptation Fund-supported initiative in Azerbaijan aimed at strengthening urban resilience.
“The project that we're working here is enabled by the Adaptation Fund, which has provided to Azerbaijan $10 million to implement the project around the climate resilience in the country.”
He pointed to a corridor development project in Baku designed to improve public space while also serving as a buffer against urban flooding.
“The ambition is to bring this project to another level and inspire other players in the region of the Caspian Sea, so that more countries can join this effort of creating climate resilience around the Caspian region.”
Participants emphasised that the Caspian region is increasingly exposed to climate stress, particularly water scarcity and environmental degradation linked to the declining sea level.
The dialogue underscored the need for stronger cross-border cooperation, innovative financing mechanisms and scalable pilot projects to build long-term resilience.
WUF13 continues in Baku with a broader agenda focused on housing, climate adaptation, urban finance and sustainable development, bringing together global stakeholders to help shape future urban policy.
U.S. and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a pre...
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he would ban social media sites for under-16s and impose restrictions on gaming and livestreaming p...
Monday 15th June, marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Shusha Declaration, a landmark agreement that formally elevated relations between ...
The stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon has been found guilty of two counts of rape as well as domestic violence and other crimes and is sentenced...
U.S. and Iranian officials said on Sunday they have agreed on a deal to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz,...
Monday 15th June, marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Shusha Declaration, a landmark agreement that formally elevated relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye to the level of an alliance and further strengthened the long-standing ties between the two nations.
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are aiming to establish a railway connection linking the two countries through Syria and Jordan within the next three to four years, according to Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.
As football supporters around the world follow the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a group of young women in Gaza are fighting a very different battle - rebuilding their lives through the sport they love after losing limbs during the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, 14 June about efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine, as world leaders prepare to gather for the G7 summit in France.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
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.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
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.
Monday 15th June, marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Shusha Declaration, a landmark agreement that formally elevated relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye to the level of an alliance and further strengthened the long-standing ties between the two nations.
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are aiming to establish a railway connection linking the two countries through Syria and Jordan within the next three to four years, according to Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.
As football supporters around the world follow the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a group of young women in Gaza are fighting a very different battle - rebuilding their lives through the sport they love after losing limbs during the war.
At least six Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, 14 June, according to local health officials, as mediators intensified efforts to keep fragile ceasefire negotiations alive.
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.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment