Baku: Azerbaijan is conducting a risk-based assessment of its water supply, said Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, Country Director for Azerbaijan of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), during a panel discussion on the third day of the Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW2025), APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Durrani-Jamal explained that ADB is examining water availability in different geographical areas using satellite data. The focus is not only on individual countries but also on the region as a whole. After a risk-based assessment, ADB identifies “hot spots”-areas at risk of flooding or experiencing water scarcity. These issues can be caused by both climate and policy factors. For instance, in one South Asian country, excessive groundwater extraction due to subsidies was identified as a problem, necessitating a proper diagnosis.
After conducting the assessment, ADB advises countries on integrated water resources management and employs nature-based solutions. The bank also offers both financial and non-financial products to address these challenges.
Durrani-Jamal also discussed future plans for Azerbaijan, stating that the new country partnership strategy with Azerbaijan has been approved. While there are currently no public sector investments, there are some in the private sector. ADB can support Azerbaijan in implementing its National Water Strategy, which is deemed a well-prepared document. Other support areas include modernizing irrigation infrastructure, developing a roadmap for artificial intelligence, and strengthening relations with farmers.