Azernews.Az

By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade

The OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities Coordinator and the Director of the Port of Baku have launched the project Promoting Green Ports and Connectivity in the Caspian Sea region, the Port said in a message.

The project’s goal is to provide support to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in amplification green ports and connectivity in the Caspian Sea region. Feasibility studies, expert workshops and delegation visits to leading international green ports will research how to make best use of renewable energy, digitalization and trade and transport facilitation to promote sustainable connectivity.

The project will be implemented in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and leading private sector experts.

Workshop on digitalization which was held at the Port of Baku discussed plans to create a digital platform to facilitate data exchange between Caspian Sea ports in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

During the trade facilitation workshop, discussions were held on methods to benefit from reduced border crossing times and improved cooperation between authorities.

Taleh Ziyadov, Director General of Baku International Sea Trade Port, said that the new Port of Baku fully meets modern standards.

He stressed that the co-operation between the Port of Baku and the OSCE and the sister ports of the Caspian region which starts today is another crucial step in administering further environmental protection and accelerating more efficient and timely data exchange in the Caspian region.

Then, Vuk Zugic, the Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, noted that thanks to this innovative project, the OSCE will contribute to strengthening sustainability, connectivity, security and economic growth in the Caspian Sea region.

Zugic stated that the major concern of the sustainable future is to produce more with less emission and renewable energy and energy efficiency are part of the road paved to it.

Further, Daniel Kroos, OSCE Energy Security Senior Program Officer, said that growth in Asia and political and social reforms will cause significant economic growth in the economies of the region.

“The growing interdependence and stronger economic relations in the region provide an opportunity for increased collaboration on international and regional security and the need for a comprehensive approach encompassing energy, digital aspects and transport infrastructure to accommodate the fast-growing trade between Asia and Europe,” he said.

The OSCE’s work in this field is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and contributes to a range of Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7, “Affordable and Clean Energy”, SDG 9, “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”, and SDG 17, “Global Partnerships”.

The project is financially supported by Azerbaijan, Germany, Italy and Iceland.

The Port of Baku was built in 1902 and since then has been the largest and busiest port of the Caspian Sea. It has played an important role in the Caspian trade for over one hundred years and is the main marine gateway to Azerbaijan. The port operates non-stop and is an important transit point in Europe-Asia trade promoted within TRACECA - restoration of the historic silk route project incepted by the Baku Initiative.

Baku International Sea Trade Port complex was opened on May 14, 2018, at Alat settlement. The new Port of Baku at Alat is a transportation hub linking the west (Turkey and EU), south (Iran and India) and north (Russia and Northern Europe). Situated in the vicinity of the regions of Azerbaijan, it will also increase its connectivity as an efficient hub and so increase the volume of cargo being handled. In addition, the new port location is linked to existing highways and railways, connecting the port to the inland regions of the country.

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Mirsaid Ibrahimzade is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MirsaidIbrahim1

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