Azerbaijan : Solid Waste Management Project for Intermediary Cities

Project Name

Solid Waste Management Project for Intermediary Cities

Project Number

46522-001

Country / Economy

• Azerbaijan

Project Status

Closed

Project Type / Modality of Assistance

• Technical Assistance

Source of Funding / Amount

TA 8670-AZE: Solid Waste Management Project for Intermediary Cities

Source	Amount
Technical Assistance Special Fund	US$ 800,000.00
Urban Environmental Infrastructure Fund under the Urban Financing Partnership Facility	US$ 225,000.00

TA 8670-AZE: Solid Waste Management for Intermediary Cities (Supplementary)

Source	Amount
Urban Environmental Infrastructure Fund under the Urban Financing Partnership Facility	US$ 225,000.00

Strategic Agendas

• Environmentally sustainable growth
• Inclusive economic growth

Drivers of Change

• Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
• Governance and capacity development
• Partnerships

Sector / Subsector

• Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban solid waste management

Gender

Effective gender mainstreaming

Description

The impact of the proposed project will be improved urban environment and quality of life for the residents of the Lower Caucasus Economic Zone and NAR. The outcome of the project is improved SWM services and management in the Lower Caucasus Economic Zone and NAR. The project outputs will include:

(i)Institutional arrangement defined to help MEI develop and implement institutional frameworks, establish and enforce operational procedures and guidelines, introduce and disseminate stricter environmental policy and regulatory frameworks; promote sound financial management of municipal SWM utilities through innovative mechanisms and instruments as well as cost recovery tariffs.

(ii)SWM system in the Lower Caucasus Economic Zone and NAR established to facilitate the establishment of modern, regional SWM systems that incorporate least cost technical solutions based on international standards, which operate on the principles of waste minimization and material recycling. Where applicable, the program will support development of climate friendly solid waste management projects that will strengthen their preparedness to access carbon and climate financing sources. Key components under this output would include the construction of sanitary landfills and transfer stations in the two project regions, establishment of a functional and comprehensive logistics system for the separation, collection and transfer of waste.

(iii)Operational capacity strengthened to help cities, towns, and municipalities to formulate a strategic plan for coordination and execution of SWM on a regional basis. More specifically, to help ensure operational, technical, and financial sustainability of regional SWM systems and services; the project will build capacity at the regional level to facilitate the adoption of a stringent environmental policy framework that enforces modern regulatory norms; support tariff rationalization and prudent financial management in order to achieve cost recovery.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

In recent years, the Government of Azerbaijan (GOA) has embarked on an ambitious agenda to change the current practice of SWM throughout the country. This includes new thinking on how SWM is organized, financed, and implemented in Azerbaijan, from basic improvements to internationally acceptable minimum standards, and gradually to the more ambitious targets set forth by the European Union. It was determined that the introduction of modern, regional SWM systems would be the most cost-effective and efficient, with particular attention paid to operating cost and user fee increases.

MEI, in light of the push for a more holistic investment program in SWM, has requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance and implement SWM projects in intermediary cities in Azerbaijan. After consultation with other relevant ministries and the Cabinet of Ministers, the Government of Azerbaijan has in turn assigned two regions to ADB: (i) Lower Caucasus Economic Zone, including Qazakh, Aghstafa, Dashkasan, Gadabay, Goranboy, Samukh, Goygol, Tovuz and Shamkir rayons; and (ii) Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR). The current size of financing is envisaged to be $50 million and will finance the development of modern SWM systems in the two regions as specified.

Impact

Project Outcome

Description of Outcome

Progress Toward Outcome

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

Geographical Location

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

Stakeholder consultations were conducted during the preparation of socioeconomic surveys and resettlement documents.

During Project Implementation

The project will contribute to a better regional environment and living conditions. There will be limited opportunity for specific outreach to the poor and vulnerable, except perhaps through some job creation in waste collection, separation and recycling. There is currently no culture of waste picking or informal recycling at dump sites in the project areas.

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

A consulting firm was engaged in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on Use of Consultants (2013, as amended from time to time) and following quality-and-cost based selection method, using simplified technical proposal procedures.

Procurement

The consultants may procure equipment through shopping in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2013, as amended from time to time). Upon completion of the TA, equipment procured under the TA will be transferred to the EA.

Contact

Responsible ADB Officer

Shen, Lu

Responsible ADB Department

Central and West Asia Department

Responsible ADB Division

Urban Development and Water Division, CWRD

Executing Agencies

The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Timetable

Concept Clearance

-

Fact Finding

-

MRM

-

Approval

26 Jun 2014

Last Review Mission

-

Last PDS Update

29 Sep 2016

Funding

TA 8670-AZE