Our Terms & Conditions | Our Privacy Policy
Transport is far more than the movement of people and goods—it
is a foundation of national development, a catalyst for trade and
innovation, and a key to regional stability and global integration.
In today’s world, resilient, efficient, and sustainable transport
systems are essential to withstand the growing threats posed by
natural disasters, pandemics, cyberattacks, and geopolitical
tensions.
It was against this backdrop that the International Transport
Forum (ITF) Summit convened in Leipzig, Germany, from May 21–23,
2025, bringing together more than 1,200 representatives from over
80 countries to explore the future of transport under the theme
“Transport Sustainability Against Global Shocks.”
This year’s summit marked a historic milestone for Azerbaijan,
as the presidency of the ITF was officially transferred from Chile
to Azerbaijan for the 2025–2026 term.
This prestigious appointment is more than ceremonial. It places
Azerbaijan at the centre of global discussions on transport
resilience, innovation, and sustainability. As a full member of the
ITF since 1998, Azerbaijan’s elevation to the presidency reflects
the country’s growing influence and achievements in regional and
international logistics.
Transport systems are not just about moving people or goods—they
are fundamental to a nation’s economic growth, regional
integration, and social cohesion. Efficient transport
infrastructure reduces trade costs, enhances access to markets,
creates jobs, and facilitates emergency response in times of
crisis. In a globalised world, countries that can move
faster—literally and figuratively—tend to grow faster.
Azerbaijan’s geographical position as a crossroads between
Europe and Asia gives it natural strategic value. But geography
alone is not enough. Through extensive investment in roads,
railways, ports, and digital infrastructure, Azerbaijan has
actively transformed itself into a pivotal transport hub, defying
the conventional wisdom that only coastal nations can dominate
regional logistics.
President Ilham Aliyev: “Azerbaijan is indispensable
to Eurasian transport”
In a speech dedicated to Azerbaijan’s transport policy,
President Ilham Aliyev emphasised that today’s Eurasian transport
map is incomplete without Azerbaijan. With both the East-West and
North-South corridors traversing its territory, Azerbaijan is a
linchpin for trade routes connecting China to Europe and Russia to
the Middle East.
President Aliyev highlighted that, despite lacking access to
open seas, Azerbaijan has created one of the most efficient
transport infrastructures in the region. Projects such as the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the planned Zangazur Corridor, which
gained international attention following Azerbaijan’s victory in
the Second Garabagh War, illustrate the country’s determination to
create lasting transport solutions with regional impact.
“Infrastructure is not only concrete and steel,” the President
said. “It is a tool for economic development, regional cooperation,
and social inclusion.”
President Aliyev also detailed Azerbaijan’s achievements over
the last two decades: more than 21,000 kilometres of highways
constructed or upgraded, 335 bridges, 45 tunnels, and over 3,000
kilometres of railway lines built or modernised. The Absheron
Circular Line and the acquisition of new rolling stock reflect the
country’s commitment to modernisation.
Digital transformation: Baku’s “Digital Twin” leads
the way
Azerbaijan’s approach to transport goes beyond traditional
infrastructure. At the ITF Summit, Deputy Minister of Digital
Development and Transport Rahman Hummatov highlighted the country’s
bold steps in urban digitalisation, particularly the development of
a “Digital Twin” for Baku.
This cutting-edge project creates a virtual replica of the city,
using data collected from mobile operators, navigation systems, and
public transport networks, amounting to hundreds of terabytes. It
simulates movement patterns, identifies congestion hotspots, and
tests the impact of future infrastructure projects before they are
built. The result is a scientifically grounded, cost-effective, and
strategic approach to urban planning.
Already, over 20 major infrastructure projects have been
modelled using the digital twin, enabling evidence-based
prioritisation. This forward-looking methodology underscores Baku’s
ambition to join the ranks of global smart cities.
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
Aggregated From –
Comments are closed.