Addis Ababa, May 19, 2026 (FMC) — Addis Ababa City Administration Mayor Adanech Abiebie says Ethiopia is drawing valuable lessons from Azerbaijan’s urban transformation experience as the Ethiopian delegation attending the 13th World Urban Forum in Baku continues visits to major redevelopment and heritage conservation projects in the Azerbaijani capital.
The mayor, who is leading Ethiopia’s delegation at the global urban development forum, said Baku’s urban renewal initiatives closely align with the transformation efforts currently underway in Addis Ababa and other Ethiopian cities.
In a message shared on social media following visits to several development sites in Baku, Mayor Adanech noted that the Azerbaijani capital’s approach to modern urban redevelopment while preserving historical identity offers important experience for Ethiopia’s ongoing corridor development and heritage restoration programs.
According to the mayor, previously deteriorated and uninhabitable parts of Baku have been transformed into modern urban centers, while historically significant sections of the city have undergone careful restoration and preservation to maintain their cultural and tourism value.
She said Ethiopia is implementing a comparable urban development strategy aimed at modernizing cities while safeguarding national history, culture and heritage.
Mayor Adanech highlighted restoration and preservation works being carried out in Addis Ababa, including projects around Piazza and Arat Kilo, as well as the rehabilitation of historic institutions and landmarks such as Ethiopia’s first cinema, the first municipality building and the National Palace.
She also pointed to broader national heritage conservation projects involving the Harar Jugol heritage site, Aba Jifar Palace in Jimma, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela and the historic Fasil Ghebbi castles in Gondar.
The mayor further stated that Ethiopia’s urban transformation agenda seeks to replace unsafe and severely deteriorated settlements with modern and livable residential spaces while improving overall urban standards.
She added that the corridor development initiative underway in Addis Ababa and other cities across the country is already generating encouraging results through expanded road infrastructure, improved public spaces, pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly corridors, and greener urban environments.