President Iliana Iotova visited a plant built with Bulgarian investment in the industrial free economic zone of the city of Sumgait, 25 km from the Azerbaijani capital Baku. The plant for the utilisation of used industrial and motor oils and the production of base oils of the first and second groups is the only implemented industrial project approved by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Bulgaria in 2023. This is also the first investment of such a scale in this area in Azerbaijan.

 

The project, by a Bulgarian company operating in the field of green construction, design and project management, is in the pre-commissioning testing stage. It has been designated as strategic by President Aliyev and is assessed as high-tech and fully compliant with the requirements of the UN Climate Conference held in Baku in 2024.

 

The head of state is in the Azerbaijani capital to participate in the Summit within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum. The platform was established in 2001 by the United Nations as a response to accelerated urbanisation and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and public policies. The forum, held every two years in different countries, has established itself as the most significant global event in the field of urban development. At the initiative of Azerbaijan, a Summit with the participation of heads of state and government will also be held for the first time.

 

The President's delegation also includes the Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo and Chairman of the Management Board of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria, Daniel Panov. Representatives of local authorities from different parts of the country will also participate in the World Urban Forum, which continues until May 22.