APA conducted an interview with Anna Soave, Head of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Office in Azerbaijan.
- Thank you for taking the time for this interview, Mrs Sauve. My first question concerns the growing impact of climate change on urban development. What do you see as the most serious climate-related risks currently facing Baku and other cities in Azerbaijan?
— Yes, as you mentioned, climate change is increasingly affecting cities. Nevertheless, we believe that cities are part of the solution to climate change. The energy consumed in cities accounts for a significant proportion of total energy consumption. Therefore, we need to introduce new approaches to how cities respond and adapt to climate change and propose innovative solutions to make them more liveable. We need to think about how to prevent cities from overheating during the summer months and how to deal with flooding in winter, spring and other periods.
The expected decline in the level of the Caspian Sea will have certain serious consequences for coastal cities
— The decline in the level of the Caspian Sea could have a significant impact on coastal cities. How could this affect future urban planning and development? What urban planning measures would you recommend to Azerbaijan in this regard?
— Of course, the expected decline in the level of the Caspian Sea will have certain serious consequences for coastal cities. UN-Habitat is currently implementing a project funded by the Adaptation Fund in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, as well as our partner organisations, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Specific climate change adaptation measures will be implemented in Baku, Neftchala and Astara. Nature-based solutions will be applied and demonstrated in these cities to reduce the impact of flooding and ensure water recycling for use during dry seasons.
The Great Return Programme has established a clear governance system underpinning the planning and reconstruction process
— You have extensive experience working in Iraq and other post-conflict areas. When you compare the reconstruction process in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur with your experience in Iraq, what similarities and differences do you see?
— Yes, I have extensive experience in post-conflict recovery, both in Afghanistan and Iraq. I worked there on projects involving the reconstruction of settlements and cities that had suffered extensive destruction.
The key difference here, of course, is that the Government of Azerbaijan is leading a clearly defined Great Return Programme. This programme has established a clear governance system underpinning the planning and reconstruction process.
One of the things that has particularly impressed me is the very close coordination among all the relevant ministries and institutions. This makes it possible not only to respond to people’s needs in a structured manner, but also to guide both private- and public-sector investments.
For us, as UN-Habitat, it is a great honour to plan and design two villages in Eastern Zangezur
—Do you travel to liberated territories?
— Yes, I have travelled there several times and have had the opportunity to visit various cities. I have participated in a number of events held in Karabakh as part of the National Urban Planning Forums.
For us, as UN-Habitat, it is a great honour to work with the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture on the planning and design of two villages in Eastern Zangezur. We will begin travelling to those areas in the very near future. Once a topographic survey of the areas has been conducted, we will begin designing the two villages, and we are very much looking forward to it.
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
