Aghakarim Samadzada: Azerbaijan integrates environmental policy into all key economic sectors

Major economic reforms being implemented in Azerbaijan and the country's current state policy are closely aligned with the global climate agenda and the transition to a green economy, Aghakarim Samadzada said at the annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Baku.

According to Report, he noted that Azerbaijan's objectives have a strategic dimension, emphasizing that economic development should be pursued in harmony with environmental protection.

Samadzada stressed that under the national socioeconomic development priorities, Azerbaijan 2030, a clean and healthy environment has been identified as one of the country's fundamental goals. He added that environmental policy is now fully integrated into key sectors such as energy, transport, urban planning, and investment activities.

"A vivid example of this approach is the liberated territories of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, which have been designated as a green energy zone. Within the framework of the Great Return State Program, an unprecedented reconstruction process is underway there, based on the principles of energy efficiency, sustainable use of natural resources, and the application of advanced smart city and smart village concepts," Samadzada said.

He also noted that Azerbaijan's recent environmental achievements have received international recognition through the successful hosting of COP29, the 13th session of the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) with the participation of UN-Habitat, as well as the organization of World Environment Day events in Baku in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Program.