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Azerbaijan is planning to upgrade and expand the metro system in its capital, Baku. The European Investment Bank’s global arm (EIB Global) will support Azerbaijan in preparation of the project, highlighting the EU’s commitment to more efficient and sustainable urban transport worldwide.
EIB Global and Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, during the COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku. Under the terms of the MoU, both sides will work together for advancing with the preparation and full appraisal of the project to upgrade, expand and modernize Baku’s metro network.
Baku’s metro network, which dates to 1967 when Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union, transports around 620,000-630,000 people a day. It is Azerbaijan’s only metro, and the planned revamp and enlargement are meant to increase the number of riders and reduce car congestion in Baku, which has a population of almost 2.4 million.
“This MoU marks a key step in our shared vision for a greener, more sustainable Baku, following the fruitful meeting I had with Minister Nabiyev,” said EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwinska, who oversees EIB operations in Azerbaijan and has finalised the discussions for this cooperation. “The EIB will support the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport in preparing and developing an investment project that will decrease greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of public transport in the city.”
As the world’s largest international public bank and a leading financier of climate-action projects around the world, EIB Global is committed to supporting investments that align with the goals of the UN Paris Agreement. The planned project for the update of Baku metro system is expected to bring significant improvements in urban mobility and reinforce broader efforts to fight climate change and prevent pollution.
Director-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission, Gert Jan Koopman, stated, “The expanded Baku Metro will have a positive impact on the environment in the city, as well as on the lives of its inhabitants by making it easier and faster to get around Baku. I would like to congratulate the EIB and Azerbaijan on the signature of this Memorandum of Understanding, and I look forward to the realisation of this important investment.”
“Within the framework of the Baku Urban Mobility Program, work is being done to promote micromobility means and build infrastructure. The micromobility lanes have been extended to about 32 kilometres and the network coverage is expected to increase. The development of the Baku Metro is also a key component of the Baku Urban Mobility Program. This project includes the construction of nine new stations and the enhancement of existing infrastructure to improve the accessibility and quality of metro transportation. These improvements aim to encourage a shift from private car usage to public transport, helping to reduce travel times for citizens and positively impact the city’s environment,” said Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev.
The MoU is aligned with the European Union (EU)’s Global Gateway initiative, which addresses a global investment gap in sustainable infrastructure by promoting high-standard, transparent projects. It also supports one of the flagship initiatives for Azerbaijan under the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan focusing on “sustainable infrastructure and solutions for smarter, greener cities.” |
