As part of the COP29 event held today in Baku, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
According to the memorandum, the parties will collaborate on the development, comprehensive assessment, and preparation of a project aimed at the renovation, expansion, and modernization of the Baku Metro network.
It should be noted that the Baku Metro transports approximately 620,000–630,000 passengers daily. The planned modernization and expansion efforts aim to increase the number of metro passengers in Baku, a city with an estimated population of 2.4 million, and to reduce transportation congestion.
The implementation of the MoU will be a significant step toward enhancing mobility in the capital and strengthening efforts to combat climate change and reduce pollution.
The Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, stated that under the framework of the “Baku City Mobility Program,” work is being carried out to promote micromobility solutions and develop the necessary infrastructure. According to him, 32 km of micromobility lanes have already been introduced, with plans for further expansion.
“The development of the metro is a key component of the ‘Baku City Mobility Program.’ The project includes the construction of nine new stations to improve metro accessibility and service quality, as well as the enhancement of existing infrastructure. These efforts aim to encourage a shift from private vehicle use to public transport, helping reduce travel time and positively impacting the city’s environmental conditions,” Minister Nabiyev noted.
“This Memorandum of Understanding is a fundamental step in realizing our shared vision of a greener and more sustainable Baku. The European Investment Bank will support the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport in preparing and optimizing an investment project that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of public transport in the city,” said Teresa Czerwińska, Vice-President of the EIB.