Baku: Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture in Azerbaijan, announced significant progress in urban planning, with master plans developed for 68 out of 79 cities and towns across the nation. This announcement was made during the Local 2030 Coalition Special Event, held on the margins of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Guliyev emphasized the importance of a robust institutional framework in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted that Azerbaijan's experience demonstrates that effective localization of the SDGs begins with a strong institutional foundation. In 2016, the National Coordination Council on Sustainable Development was established by a presidential decree as a national mechanism to coordinate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This framework has facilitated the nationalization of the SDGs through an inclusive consultation process involving various stakeholders, including public institutions, civil society, the business community, youth, and international organizations.

Guliyev pointed out that territorial planning is a key instrument for the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture to implement the localization principle. The master plans, although developed within the national planning framework, are implemented at the local level, necessitating close collaboration with regional and local authorities throughout the planning and implementation process. This cooperation aims to enhance the capacities of local actors and improve coordination across different levels of government.

The development of these master plans signifies a step forward in Azerbaijan's efforts to integrate sustainable urban planning into its national agenda, reflecting the country's commitment to the SDGs and effective urban governance.