International Conference on "Innovative approach to the development of cities and rural areas: “smart cities and villages" has been held

International Conference on “Innovative approach to the development of cities and rural areas: “smart cities and villages” has been held in Baku by The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and the Ministry of Agriculture with the support of the World Bank. Rashad Nabiyev, Digital Development and Transport Minister, Inam Karimov, Agriculture Minister, Sara Michael, World Bank Country Manager for Azerbaijan, Vahid Hajiyev, special representative of the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Zangilan included to East Zangazur Economic Region, and representatives of various government agencies, embassies and international organizations participated in the event.

Rashad Nabiyev, the Minister of Digital Development and Transport who made a speech at the event, mentioned that in the light of demographic growth in the world, such problems as food security, especially the depletion of water resources, efficient use of energy sources, improving the quality, safety, efficiency of services provided in cities, villages make the concepts of “smart city”, “smart village” actual. Factors of efficiency, necessity, sustainability and promotion of innovations are taken into account when the concept of “smart village” is developed.

Sara Michael, the country manager of the World Bank for Azerbaijan, spoke about the cooperation between the institution she represents and the government of Azerbaijan, the projects being implemented in the direction of creating a "smart village" and a "smart city".

Minister of Agriculture, Inam Karimov noted that progressive international experience, strategic development strategies, socio-economic conditions of the liberated territories were considered in the "I State Program on the Great Return to the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation" approved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev on 16th of November. Potential and modern challenges of the world economy were taken into account. The idea of "Smart village" has emerged precisely in the background of these approaches, and the concept is already being implemented in practice. "Smart village" is a model that allows people to quickly adapt to technological innovations, allows for better protection of the environment, and ensures ecological balance.

Vahid Hajiyev, the special representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Zangilan district that is part of the Eastern Zangezur Economic Region, said that the concept of "Smart village" and "Smart city" does not only consist of the application of modern urban planning trends and technologies: "The creation of infrastructure to improve people's living conditions, the state provision of accessibility to services, employment issues of people living in villages, work opportunities, effective use of leisure time is envisaged in this concept. Fast and high-quality work is being done in all these directions".

The conference continued its work in panel sessions. Discussions and presentations were held on the topics of "Digitalization of services and sustainable lifestyle", "Transition to green energy", "Application of the concept of "Smart Village" in Azerbaijan", "The role of the private sector in the implementation of smart solutions to be applied in rural areas and ensuring sustainability" in the sessions.