Abu Dhabi, Baku Sign Twin City Mobility Pact

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and Baku City Executive Power have signed a Twin City Agreement to strengthen cooperation in urban planning, mobility, public transport, and green infrastructure projects.

The agreement was signed during an official visit to Baku by Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of DMT, and Eldar Azizov, Head of Baku City Executive Power. The partnership builds on a shared vision announced earlier this year during the official visit of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev to Abu Dhabi.

The Twin City framework focuses on improving quality of life and promoting sustainability-led urban development. Both cities will work together on smart mobility transformation, digital twin systems, traffic operations, and other key aspects of modern city planning. The agreement also supports joint participation in exhibitions and events, benchmark studies between institutions, and knowledge exchange across city management sectors.

The signing followed high-level meetings with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and the AYNA Transport Authority. The Abu Dhabi delegation also visited key infrastructure projects in Baku to study the city’s data-driven mobility transformation programme.

During the visit, officials toured the ‘28 May’ transport hub, named after Azerbaijan’s Independence Day. They reviewed passenger flow systems, wayfinding solutions, and universal accessibility features. The delegation also examined the White City project, a major development under Baku’s Master Plan 2040, to understand how land use planning aligns with mobility infrastructure.

In addition, the team visited Baku’s UNESCO World Heritage Old City to explore best practices in heritage preservation and pedestrian-friendly urban design.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa said the partnership reflects the strong friendship between the UAE and Azerbaijan and their shared goal of building liveable, future-ready cities. He added that global collaborations help accelerate innovation and improve quality of life.

Abu Dhabi has previously signed similar agreements with Shenzhen in January 2024 and has maintained a Sister City relationship with Brisbane for over 15 years. These partnerships highlight the Emirate’s commitment to working with leading global cities to improve urban living standards.

The new twinning agreement also strengthens the broader Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UAE and Azerbaijan. The UAE currently accounts for 50 percent of Azerbaijan’s trade with the GCC. The CEPA deal is expected to add $680 million to the UAE’s GDP and $300 million to Azerbaijan’s economy by 2031.