Shi Nan: China interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in urban development

The Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC) is interested in developing cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of urban planning and joint search for solutions to global challenges, Shi Nan, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the UPSC, told Report on the sidelines of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

According to him, the association is participating in the forum to establish contacts with the Azerbaijani side and expand international cooperation.

"We want to establish interactions with local and international participants and potential partners. Today's challenges are global issues: climate change, social segregation, resource constraints. Countries cannot solve these issues alone, so they need to work together," he noted.

Shi Nan also emphasized that this is his first visit to Baku, but the Azerbaijani capital left a strong impression on him.

"This is my first time in Baku. But I'm truly impressed by what's happening here. It reminds me of processes in China. We have a lot in common: a similar stage of development and governance system. We also face similar challenges," he said.

According to the UPSC secretary general, the Chinese delegation at WUF13 presented an exhibition featuring seven institutional members of the organization-leading Chinese companies and institutes in urban development.

He noted that the projects presented reflect not only their experience working with Azerbaijan but also China's overall approach to rapid urbanization, including interactions with government agencies, planning, financing, and infrastructure and housing development.