On September 3, Azerbaijani officials—including Finance Minister Sahil Babayev, Central Bank Governor Taleh Kazimov, and Deputy Economy Minister Samad Bashirli—met with an Asian Development Bank (ADB) delegation led by Rachel Thompson to discuss economic diversification, sustainable growth, and strengthening financial and infrastructure partnerships.

Sahil Babayev received the delegation led by Rachel Thompson, the Executive Director representing Azerbaijan on the ADB's Board of Directors. During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the ADB, stressing that the partnership had significantly contributed to Azerbaijan’s socio-economic development through loans, grants, and technical assistance. They discussed the Country Partnership Strategy for 2025–2029, which includes measures to diversify the economy, strengthen sustainability, and ensure inclusive growth. Babayev emphasized that Azerbaijan’s economy demonstrated sustainable growth and macroeconomic stability, noting successful diversification efforts in agriculture, information and communication technologies, industrial production, logistics, and green energy. He also highlighted the ADB’s support for the "State Program for Improving Water Supply, Wastewater Management and Rainwater Drainage Systems of Baku City and the Absheron Peninsula for 2025–2034," as well as for expanding Baku Metro lines and modernizing railway infrastructure. Thompson underlined the high level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the ADB and expressed confidence in further strengthening the partnership.

Taleh Kazimov also met with the ADB delegation. In a post on X, Kazimov stated that they discussed global economic challenges, domestic development trends, monetary policy, and the strengthening of the supervisory and regulatory framework in the insurance sector. He added that the talks also covered the growth potential of the insurance sector and prospects for the ADB’s participation in Azerbaijan’s financial system.

In parallel, Samad Bashirli held talks with Rachel Thompson. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in economic diversification, private sector development, and green growth. The Ministry of Economy noted that Azerbaijan valued its partnerships with international financial institutions, including the ADB, and emphasized that joint projects had made significant contributions to the country’s economic development. Both sides exchanged views on ongoing economic reforms, the favorable business environment, investment opportunities, and prospects for further collaboration with the ADB.