Baku: President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov has outlined his vision for the development of cities in mountainous areas during the Leaders' Session at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, as reported by APA.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Japarov expressed his gratitude to the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the people of Azerbaijan for their hospitality and the successful organization of the forum. Themed 'Housing the World: Safe and Sustainable Cities,' the forum provides a platform to address urbanization, sustainable development, climate change, and affordable housing. Japarov emphasized Kyrgyzstan's focus on the sustainable development of mountain regions, highlighting the importance of these areas not only for their residents but also for those in the surrounding foothills. He pointed out the challenges posed by climate change, glacier melting, and population migration, which threaten the ecosystems and cultural heritage of these cities.

Japarov stressed three main directions for sustainable development. The first focuses on ecosystem sustainability, advocating for integrated urban management that considers the vulnerabilities of mountain ecosystems. He called for water-saving technologies and environmentally safe waste management systems. The second direction, innovation for mountain urbanism, involves the adoption of smart technologies and maximizing the use of hydropower and solar energy to achieve energy independence. The final direction highlights human capital and cultural heritage, emphasizing the need for improved living conditions, education, social infrastructure, and the promotion of tourism and digital nomadism.

Japarov's proposals underscore Kyrgyzstan's commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by mountainous cities and ensuring their sustainable development in the face of environmental and societal pressures.