Source : WAM
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and the Baku City Executive Power have signed a Twin City Agreement to strengthen collaboration in urban planning, mobility, public transport, and green infrastructure initiatives.
The agreement was signed during an official visit to Baku by Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of DMT, and Eldar Azizov, Head of Baku City Executive Power, building on a shared vision announced during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Abu Dhabi earlier this year. The accord commits both sides to enhancing quality of life and promoting sustainability-driven urban development.
The signing followed high-level meetings with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and the AYNA Transport Authority, alongside technical site visits to major infrastructure projects in the capital, highlighting Baku’s rapid progress in implementing a data-driven mobility transformation programme.
Under the Twin City framework, the two cities will collaborate on mobility transformation, digital twin systems, traffic operations, and broader urban planning initiatives. The agreement also encourages participation in exhibitions, benchmark studies between institutions, and knowledge exchange across various aspects of city management.
The accord establishes governance mechanisms with shared key performance indicators, allowing each city to monitor progress and scale successful initiatives across their urban environments.
Commenting on the successful visit, Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa said, “It was a pleasure to visit Baku and reaffirm the strong ties the UAE has with Azerbaijan. This partnership reflects the close friendship between our countries and our shared vision for shaping liveable, future-ready cities. Through this agreement, we will leverage collective expertise to drive meaningful long-term progress. In similar global partnerships, we have demonstrated that collaboration accelerates innovation and enhances quality of life.”
During a technical walkthrough of the ‘28 May’ transport hub, named after Azerbaijan’s Independence Day, the DMT delegation observed passenger flows, wayfinding, and accessibility features.
The delegation also visited White City, a flagship project in Baku’s Master Plan 2040, to understand how land-use policy and redevelopment integrate with mobility infrastructure.
Officials toured Baku’s UNESCO World Heritage Old City to examine best practices in urban preservation and pedestrian-friendly planning.
Abu Dhabi has established similar strategic alliances with Shenzhen, which signed a twinning agreement in January 2024, and Brisbane, where a Sister City relationship has existed for over 15 years. These enduring partnerships reflect the Emirate’s commitment to collaborating with world-class municipalities to implement innovative approaches that enhance livability.
The twinning relationship builds on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEPA) and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UAE and Azerbaijan, announced during President Ilham Aliyev’s official visit to Abu Dhabi in February this year.
The UAE accounts for 50% of Azerbaijan’s trade with the GCC, with the CEPA agreement expected to contribute $680 million to Azerbaijan’s GDP and $300 million to its economy by 2031.
