Switzerland offers expertise on mountain development with Azerbaijan

Switzerland is ready to share its experience in developing mountainous regions and building sustainable local economies with Azerbaijan, Guy Bonvin, a Swiss diplomat, has stated on the sidelines of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.

In an interview with Report, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation said Switzerland and Azerbaijan share similar geographical features, both being largely mountainous countries, which provides a basis for cooperation and knowledge exchange.

He made it clear that Switzerland has experience in promoting local economic development in mountainous areas and has already taken part in discussions under the Azerbaijan Urban Campaign, focusing on urban development and the creation of economic hubs around cities.

“It is important that not only cities but also mountainous regions benefit from development. This is not just about infrastructure, but also about economic development as a whole,” he noted.

Commenting on the forum, Bonvin described WUF13 as an important international platform for sharing knowledge between cities and communities, particularly on urban resilience, climate adaptation and new approaches to urban planning.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov