Orkhan Mammadov: Sustainable cities cannot be created solely through government investments

Building sustainable and resilient cities in modern conditions cannot rely exclusively on government investments and political instruments.

As Report informs, this was stated by Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), at the panel discussion "Empowering SMEs as Key Actors in Building Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Cities" held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

"Entrepreneurs, startups, technology developers, architects, urban innovators, and infrastructure builders — all of them make a decisive contribution to shaping smarter, greener, and more inclusive cities for future generations. Azerbaijan is already achieving significant results on this path. Major urban transformation projects, the implementation of 'smart city' and 'smart village' concepts, the expansion of green spaces, the renewal of urban infrastructure, as well as reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories based on sustainable development principles — all of this reflects the country's aspiration toward innovative and forward-looking urban planning," the head of KOBIA emphasized.

O. Mammadov believes that for small and medium businesses, WUF13 opens up significant opportunities for engagement with international stakeholders, establishing new business partnerships, learning about best global practices, and presenting innovative products, services, and solutions that contribute to sustainable urban development.

"In this regard, today's discussion serves as an important platform for highlighting the role of SMEs as key actors in building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities, as well as for deepening cooperation between government agencies, international organizations, and the private sector. I am confident that today's discussions will lead to a fruitful exchange of ideas and will contribute to closer cooperation in advancing sustainable urban development both in Azerbaijan and beyond," the head of KOBIA stated.