Pakistan, Azerbaijan expand cooperation on urban planning

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have joined forces to ensure urban planning that takes into account the real issues facing the region.

A press release from Pakistan's Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform said the two countries joined forces following a meeting between Federal Minister of Planning Mohammad Sami Saeed and Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Anar Guliyev, Caliber.Az reports with reference to the Pakistani newspaper Business Recorder.

During the meeting, the Pakistani minister praised the restoration and reconstruction efforts undertaken by the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture in the conflict-affected areas of Azerbaijan.

He noted that “urban planning is a real problem, and forums such as the Azerbaijan National Urban Forum are urgently needed to find solutions, learn from international experience and develop a collective way forward.”

It was noted that last year the first national urban planning forum was held in the city of Aghdam, which was also completely destroyed, and active construction is now underway there. The second forum was held in Zangilan, which is now being fully restored along with other territories of Azerbaijan.

The parties agreed to further strengthen relations by developing joint strategies for the socio-economic development of the peoples of both countries. The Minister of Planning expressed gratitude to the Government of Azerbaijan for the successful holding of the II National Urban Development Forum, which played an important role in the restoration of destroyed cities.

During the meeting, Sami Saeed highlighted the newly established 2022 Pakistan Flood Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Framework, which will play an important role in creating resilient infrastructure.