"Today, cities are no longer merely places where people live and develop. They are increasingly becoming strategic platforms where digitalization, climate action, and regional cooperation intersect," Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during his speech at the event titled “Cities at the Center of Connectivity: Urban Reconstruction and Regional Cooperation” held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), APA reports.
“We understand that while cities make a significant contribution to global emissions, they are also the main driving force behind innovation, resilience, and solutions to the climate crisis. In this regard, Azerbaijan seeks to place cities more strongly at the center of multilateral diplomacy. Urban initiatives are also matters of peace and investment. Azerbaijan is taking an active position in this strategic development. We highly value the role of cities in regional integration, sustainable urban development, and interregional strategies. Our experience shows that innovation and development are closely interconnected. Modern infrastructure, industrial development, labor market mobility, investment flows, housing demand, and climate adaptation interact with one another as part of a single system. At the same time, sustainable and properly planned cities are essential for long-term development and social welfare,” the minister said.
He noted that it is precisely based on this approach that Azerbaijan has launched a large-scale restoration and reconstruction process: “Cities, towns, and villages in the liberated territories are being rebuilt based on the principles of sustainable development, ‘smart city’ governance, green energy, climate resilience, and human-centered urban planning. These projects serve not only the restoration of physical infrastructure, but also economic growth, community development, and the strengthening of human capital. At the same time, the large-scale reconstruction and return of internally displaced persons in the territories liberated after the conflict are a clear demonstration of Azerbaijan’s commitment to the peace agenda. With investments amounting to approximately 15 billion US dollars, Azerbaijan is demonstrating its sincere interest in closing the chapter of conflict in the region. This large-scale post-conflict reconstruction process is an integral part of our peacebuilding strategy. It is a strategy aimed at ending the period of violence and building a better future. The end of the long-term conflict and the restoration of settlements have created new opportunities for security and cooperation in the region. In this context, the normalization process initiated between Azerbaijan and Armenia creates a solid foundation for regional integration and mutually beneficial cooperation. This process is an important stage for strengthening peace and developing economic ties.”
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