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ADB Country Director: Azerbaijan is entering a new stage towards low-carbon development in transport sector

05 December 2025 10:41 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan is stepping into a decisive decade of development. During this period, green growth, energy transition, and climate resilience have become the country’s national strategic priorities, said Sunniya Durrani Jamal, ADB’s Country Director for Azerbaijan, at the presentation of the decarbonization project within the framework of the partnership between “Azerbaijan Railways” CJSC (ADY) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

“Of course, these issues have gained even more prominence after hosting COP29. The updated climate commitments, emission reduction targets, and the expression of the country’s desire to be a regional leader in green mobility send a clear and strong message to the countries of the region. Today’s seminar is not only a technical discussion, but it is also part of the path for Azerbaijan’s transport sector to take a leading role in low-carbon transformation,” Sunniya Durrani-Camal said.

According to him, railways are a mode of transport characterized by high energy efficiency and a low carbon footprint, and the role of this sector becomes even more transformative as Azerbaijan strengthens its position in regional and global logistics, freight transportation, and export diversification along the Middle Corridor and Euro-Asian connections.

“We have supported the development of the Sumqayit–Yalama line and are currently working on the electrification of the railway network and the signaling system. Now, alongside physical coordination and the improvement of ADY’s operations, ADB’s team for developing sectors is exploring opportunities for the company to become a global leader in decarbonization through energy efficiency, integration of renewable energy, smart digital management, innovative financing, and regional logistics transformation,” Sunniya Durrani-Camal emphasized.

She added that the recommendations arising from the technical assistance framework must be practical, actionable, and fully aligned with ADY’s corporate strategy as well as Azerbaijan’s national climate and energy goals. This, undoubtedly, will require close coordination among government agencies, ADY, the ADB team, and consulting experts.