The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) of Abu Dhabi and the Baku City Executive Power have signed a Twin City Agreement to deepen cooperation across urban planning, mobility, public transport and green infrastructure initiatives.
The Twin City Agreement was signed in Baku by Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) of Abu Dhabi, and Eldar Azizov, Head of the Baku City Executive Power.
This partnership builds on a shared vision announced during President Ilham Aliyev’s official visit to Abu Dhabi earlier this year, committing both cities to improving quality of life and promoting sustainability-driven urban development.
After the signing ceremony, high-level meetings with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and the AYNA Transport Authority were held, alongside technical site visits to major infrastructure projects in Baku. These engagements highlighted the city’s rapid progress in implementing an ambitious, data-driven mobility transformation program.
The agreement sets clear governance structures and shared key performance indicators, enabling both cities to track progress and replicate successful initiatives across their urban environments.
Initiatives under Twin City framework
Under the Twin City framework, Abu Dhabi and Baku will collaborate on mobility transformation, digital twin technologies, traffic operations, and broader urban planning initiatives. The partnership also encourages joint participation in exhibitions, benchmark studies, and knowledge-sharing activities across city management sectors.
Image credits: WAM | Cropped by GBN
During a detailed technical walkthrough of the ‘28 May’ transport hub, named in honor of Azerbaijan’s Independence Day, the DMT delegation examined passenger flows, wayfinding, and universal accessibility.
The group also reviewed White City, a flagship project in Baku’s Master Plan 2040, to see how land-use policies and redevelopment align with mobility infrastructure. Officials toured Baku’s UNESCO World Heritage Old City to observe best practices in preserving urban spaces and prioritizing pedestrians.
HE Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Chairman -Department of Municipalities and Transport
“It was a pleasure to visit Baku and reaffirm the strong ties the UAE has with Azerbaijan. This partnership reflects the close friendship between our countries and our shared vision for shaping liveable, future-ready cities. Through this agreement, we will leverage collective expertise to drive meaningful long-term progress. In similar global partnerships, we have demonstrated that collaboration accelerates innovation and enhances quality of life.”
Abu Dhabi has forged other strategic alliances, including a Twin City agreement with Shenzhen in January 2024 and a 15-year Sister City relationship with Brisbane. These partnerships reflect the Emirate’s commitment to collaborating with leading cities to advance liveability and innovation.
The new twin city agreement with Baku builds on the UAE-Azerbaijan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEPA) and Strategic Partnership, announced during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Abu Dhabi in February. The UAE accounts for 50 percent of Azerbaijan’s GCC trade, with CEPA projected to add $680 million to Azerbaijan’s GDP and $300 million to its economy by 2031.
