ADB offers Azerbaijan assistance in implementing its national water strategy

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) stands ready to support Azerbaijan in implementing its national water strategy, including modernizing irrigation systems, introducing digital technologies, and supporting farmers, Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, head of the ADB Country Office in Azerbaijan, said on the third day of the Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW2025), Report informs.

She noted that risk analysis is key to assessing water supply, especially in downstream countries like Azerbaijan.

"We use satellite data and imagery to assess water availability in different geographic zones. Water knows no boundaries, so we consider not only individual countries but also the region as a whole. After conducting a risk assessment, we identify 'hot spots'-areas prone to flooding or, conversely, areas with a high risk of drought and extremely low water reserves. The causes may lie not only in the climate but also in policy," noted Jamal.

She recalled that ADB recently approved a new partnership strategy with Azerbaijan.

"As for the public sector, we have no investments yet, but we are implementing a number of projects in the private sector. Our experience can help Azerbaijan in the practical implementation of its national water strategy. Specifically, this includes modernizing irrigation infrastructure, developing a roadmap for using artificial intelligence to process and utilize data, and working with farmers-the end users of irrigation systems and seed supplies," the head of the office added.