As discussions continue on the fifth day of the World Urban Forum in Baku, infrastructure and sustainable urban development are emerging as central themes in debates over climate policy and future economic competitiveness.
Governments and policymakers attending the forum are increasingly examining how green construction technologies, smart cities and energy-efficient infrastructure can serve not only environmental goals, but also long-term industrial and economic strategies.
Speaking to AnewZ, Shabnam Safarova, Chair of the Public Union “For Progress of Karabakh”, told Daybreak’s Nadia Gyane that smart buildings and digital cities are becoming increasingly important not only for climate policy, but also for economic development.
“You know such buildings are much more smart, and digital cities are no longer only environmental issue. It is about economic competitiveness of countries and cities as well,” she said.
Safarova pointed to the significant environmental impact of the global construction sector and stressed that climate strategies must include urban planning and redevelopment.
“Based on statistics buildings and construction account for about 32% of global energy use and 34% of global carbon dioxide emissions. So any serious climate policy or climate action must address how we design it, how we build and, sometimes how we rebuild the cities in transformation process or changing traditional cities to smart ones.”
She added that governments increasingly see green construction and alternative energy integration as strategic sectors capable of creating new industries and jobs.
“And for governments, this field means strategic in the sector of energy efficient materials, solar integration and other alternative energy integrated systems cities. And they can create new industries, new jobs as well.”
Safarova reiterated that the issue extends beyond environmental concerns and is becoming central to future economic competition between countries.
“It is not only environmental issue now it is about economic competitiveness for countries in near future.”
She highlighted how governments are increasingly linking climate-focused urban development with economic strategy and industrial competitiveness. Her remarks reflected broader discussions at WUF13, where policymakers are focusing on how smart infrastructure, green construction and alternative energy systems could shape the future of cities and economies alike.
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