Baku, Amman explore urban development partnership Photo

Azerbaijan and Jordan have discussed opportunities for cooperation in the field of urban development and planning, according to a statement from Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture.

The talks took place during a meeting between the Chairman of the Committee, Anar Guliyev, and Jordan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Omar Barakat Al-Nahar, Caliber.Az reports.

The two sides exchanged views on prospects for collaboration in construction and population resettlement, emphasising the importance of fostering direct engagement between relevant institutions.

Ambassador Al-Nahar praised Azerbaijan’s ongoing urban development efforts, including projects in Baku, the regions, and the territories retaken following the 2020 conflict. He highlighted the government’s commitment to creating safe and comfortable living conditions for returning residents.

Guliyev extended an invitation to Jordan to participate in two major upcoming events in Baku: the 3rd Azerbaijan National Urban Forum and the 13th World Urban Forum, scheduled to be held on May 17 to 22, 2026.

Azerbaijan has prioritised urban redevelopment in the wake of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, focusing particularly on territories regained during the conflict. The government has launched large-scale reconstruction efforts aimed at restoring infrastructure and resettling displaced populations.

The country’s “smart village” and “smart city” initiatives reflect its broader ambition to modernise urban planning, with support from international partners and organisations such as UN-Habitat.

Jordan, meanwhile, has a growing interest in urban development cooperation, particularly in sustainable construction and housing solutions, driven by its rapid urbanisation and refugee resettlement challenges.

Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Jordan date back to 1993, and both countries have expressed interest in deepening ties across economic and technical sectors, including construction, energy, and education.

The 13th World Urban Forum, set to be hosted in Baku in 2026, serves as a key platform for global dialogue on urbanisation and sustainable development.

By Aghakazim Guliyev