BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 17. The partnership
between the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) and
the International Development Association (IDA) is a cooperation
model focused on real results, Walid Abdelwahab, Director of the
Türkiye Regional Hub of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group,
said, Trend's
correspondent reports from the event.


He made the remark during the event titled "High-Level Dialogue:
'Capacity Development Over Aid' – AIDA–IsDB Partnership for
International Technical Assistance for Resilience and Sustainable
Development" held within the framework of the 51st IsDB Group
Annual Meeting in Baku.


According to him, the activities carried out by the Islamic
Development Bank in member countries over many years show that
financing alone does not guarantee development.


"The main factor ensuring development is the institutional
capacity, qualified personnel, strong systems, and partnerships
that outlive the projects themselves in order to utilize this
financing efficiently," Abdelwahab stated.


He noted that it is precisely this approach that increases the
importance of the partnership established with the International
Development Association (IDA).


"Our Memorandum of Understanding creates a common framework for
joint projects: expert exchange, South-South and triangular
cooperation, co-financing, and structured action plans. This allows
us to transform mutual intentions into real results," he said.


The IsDB official added that this cooperation creates conditions
to connect the financial capabilities and country relations of the
Islamic Development Bank with the technical knowledge and convening
potential of IDA.







"Today's dialogue consists of two main panels. The first panel
discusses access to climate finance for vulnerable economies
through the Baku Peace and Climate Action Hub, which is one of the
important outcomes of COP29," he stated.


According to him, the second panel explores the role of digital
transformation and strong governance skills in increasing the
efficiency of education and healthcare services.


"We are happy to have representatives participating here from
various regions—the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, West Africa,
and South Asia. These countries, as members of the Islamic
Development Bank, are making serious efforts to build sustainable
institutions," Abdelwahab emphasized.


He noted that the main expectation is to achieve concrete
results.


"We must leave here not only with shared values but also with
practical ideas. The goal is for the Islamic Development Bank and
IDA to turn capacity development in the coming years into a
sustainable outcome, rather than a temporary intervention," he
concluded.