Turkic states have great influence and economic power on a global scale, Azebaijan's Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov said at the "Ministerial Session on Climate-Resilient Smart Villages of the Organization of Turkic States" organized within COP29 in Baku, Report informs.
According to Mammadov, the mechanisms will facilitate the integration of policies and strategies from various sectors to strengthen synergies in addressing climate change issues: "One of the initiatives we support today is the launch of the Organization of Turkic States' Climate-Resilient Villages Forum. Strengthening relations with the Organization of Turkic States is one of the main priorities of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Our countries have great economic potential in agriculture. Agriculture and trade constitute sustainable sectors of our economy, boasting a long and prosperous employment history."
The minister said there is an effective cooperation platform and decision-making Agricultural Ministers' platform within the Organization of Turkic States: "This time in Baku, we will announce the establishment of a forum on climate-resilient villages. I am confident that this initiative will positively impact our rural development policy and facilitate the welfare of rural populations. As you all know, major reconstruction and restoration work is being carried out in Azerbaijan's liberated territories. The development of climate-appropriate, disease-free, and community-based agriculture in these areas remains at the forefront of our evolution policy. We are also using smart cities and smart villages concepts for rural development in these areas."
Mammadov noted that Zangilan's Aghali village is the first smart village built with all modern and climate-friendly technologies in Azerbaijan's liberated territories: "We are also cooperating very effectively with Turkic states in the construction and rural development of these areas. The main goal of this partnership is to share all best practices and technologies. Naturally, along with the government, business entities also play an important role in this work. Undoubtedly, we plan to implement these initiatives together with the business community. Therefore, I invite all partner state enterprises to explore investment prospects in Karabakh and East Zangazur. We expect the business community to build strong partnerships and apply our countries' exemplary practices and technologies in the liberated territories."