BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Future cities will be
defined not by their size but by energy efficiency, technological
advancement and regional connectivity, Parviz Shahbazov said during
a special session of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku,
Trend reports.


Shahbazov spoke at a session titled “Cities at the Center of
Connectivity: Urban Reconstruction and Regional Cooperation,”
saying Azerbaijan’s hosting of major global platforms after COP29
demonstrates the country’s active role not only in energy security
but also in sustainable urbanization, green transition and regional
connectivity.


He said modern geopolitical and geo-economic realities have made
connectivity a strategic priority, noting that energy lines,
transport corridors, fiber-optic cables and electricity
interconnectors are becoming the “new arteries” of the global
system.


In this context, Shahbazov said Azerbaijan is playing a
strategic role in shaping regional green energy and electricity
interconnection networks.


He linked this development to President Ilham Aliyev’s vision of
integrating energy security, green development and peacebuilding
through regional connectivity, saying Azerbaijan is becoming one of
Eurasia’s key connectivity and cooperation hubs.


According to the minister, green energy corridors developing in
parallel with the Middle Corridor are forming a new energy
architecture connecting the Caspian region with Europe and
Asia.


Shahbazov said that in the near future, these integrated energy
and connectivity networks will further strengthen links between
cities, industries and economies.


He noted that Azerbaijan plans to develop 8 GW of green energy
capacity, with 2 GW of new installed capacity expected to be
integrated into the energy system next year. He said this will
contribute not only to increased energy production but also to
industrial transformation, annual emission reductions of about 2.4
million tons, and improved energy balance diversification.


The minister also highlighted progress in the Karabakh and East
Zangezur regions under the “green energy zone” concept, including
the development of smart city and smart village models,
energy-efficient infrastructure and digital management systems.







He said 38 small hydropower plants with a combined capacity of
307 MW are currently operating in the area, while 340 MW of solar
power plants are under construction, rooftop solar installations
totaling 7 MW have been completed, and a 240 MW wind power project
is in preparation.


Shahbazov added that institutional mechanisms for energy
efficiency have been established nationwide, including the creation
of an Energy Efficiency Fund, aimed at reducing consumption and
losses while improving resource management and smart infrastructure
development.


“Azerbaijan aims to expand investments in this field and achieve
more effective results,” he said. “Because future cities will be
those that create more value with less energy.”


The third day of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum
(WUF13) is underway in Baku.


On the first day, a ministerial meeting dedicated to the New
Urban Agenda, a roundtable of ministers, assemblies of women and
civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban
well-being were held. A ceremony for raising the flags of the
United Nations and Azerbaijan also took place within the framework
of the forum.


The second day of the forum drew attention with the first-ever
Leaders Summit. High-level discussions on the global housing
crisis, urbanization policy, and urban resilience were held that
day. At the same time, the Mexico City pavilion was inaugurated
within the framework of WUF13. The pavilion was presented as an
important platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin
American region and preparing for WUF14.


WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered
participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held
under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and
communities,” the forum brings together governments, international
organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to
strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban
development.