Baku: President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan convened a strategic meeting to discuss the State Program aimed at enhancing water supply, wastewater, and stormwater systems in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula for the period 2026-2035. During the meeting, President Aliyev emphasized the importance of addressing water issues as part of the nation’s broader infrastructure development efforts.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, President Aliyev highlighted the success of previous regional development programs, which have resolved many infrastructure challenges, including energy generation and gas supply. The President cited Azerbaijan’s progress in becoming a net exporter of electricity and natural gas, with 96 percent of the population now having access to natural gas. Additionally, significant advancements in highway construction and infrastructure projects in liberated territories have been achieved, demonstrating the country’s commitment to comprehensive development.
The President underscored the critical need for sustainable water management, particularly in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, where drinking water issues have persisted. The new state program aims to provide sustainable water supply solutions by 2035, incorporating the construction of 30 new reservoirs and improving water distribution networks. Financial resources for the program will come from the state budget and foreign loans, supported by Azerbaijan’s strong financial position with a low foreign debt-to-GDP ratio.
The program also seeks to reduce water losses, which currently stand at 40-45 percent, to ensure efficient use of available resources. President Aliyev stressed the importance of expanding sewage services and addressing stormwater management to prevent urban flooding. The initiative includes the construction of a new collector network for rainwater management in Baku and the modernization of the Hovsan water treatment plant.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, the program will introduce a digital management system for the water sector and construct a desalination plant to increase water supply to Baku and Absheron. President Aliyev noted that the desalination plant would be funded entirely through foreign investment, leveraging the Caspian Sea’s low salinity to produce clean drinking water and support agricultural irrigation.
President Aliyev called for public oversight and media coverage to ensure transparency and accountability in the program’s implementation. He emphasized the need for timely execution, with Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency Zaur Mikayilov briefing the President on the progress made and forthcoming actions under the program.