Azerbaijan is taking part in the 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank, which has officially kicked off in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Held under the theme “Crossroads of Progress: Fostering a Connected Future for the Region,” the high-level forum runs from May 3 to 6, bringing together more than 3,000 participants from across the globe, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

Azerbaijan’s delegation is led by Finance Minister Sahil Babayev, who also serves as a member of the ADB Board of Governors. The event has gathered senior government officials, central bank heads, international financial institutions, private sector leaders, civil society representatives, and media.

This year’s agenda focuses on three strategic pillars: connectivity, data-driven development, and resource mobilization. Discussions are centered on green transformation, infrastructure digitalization, and boosting cooperation in food security across the Asia-Pacific region.

Key sessions include workshops on sustainable capital markets aimed at strengthening financial ties between CAREC and ASEAN countries, alongside forums on environmental and social standards, and public-private partnerships to attract investment into infrastructure.

The annual ADB meetings serve as a major platform for shaping the bank’s strategic direction, offering member countries a chance to deepen collaboration and tackle global economic challenges together.