Core Insights - Azerbaijan and Belarus have signed an agreement to expand economic cooperation, focusing on joint project implementation and coordination of working groups [1] Economic Cooperation - The 15th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Belarus Intergovernmental Economic Cooperation Commission was held, leading to the signing of documents aimed at enhancing economic collaboration [1] - Azerbaijan's Vice Prime Minister stated that the trade volume between Azerbaijan and Belarus is expected to reach $510 million in 2024, representing a 42% year-on-year increase [1] Sectoral Developments - Both countries have achieved practical results in various sectors, including agriculture, machinery manufacturing, municipal services, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and trade investment [1] - The joint venture "Azerbaijan-Belarus" will continue to assemble agricultural machinery, while Belarus will expand its cooperation with the Mogilev Elevator Plant to increase elevator production in Azerbaijan, having already renovated and installed 200 elevators this year [1] - Belarusian construction companies are interested in participating in reconstruction projects in the liberated areas of Azerbaijan and establishing a joint venture for building materials production in those regions [1]

Group 1 - The core initiative in Zigong is the "Illuminated Zebra Crossing - Caring for Pedestrians Protection Project," aimed at reducing pedestrian traffic accidents by addressing insufficient lighting at crossings [1] - The project is part of the 30 municipal livelihood projects identified for 2025, which also include employment, education, healthcare, and elderly care, with 2 projects already completed and the remaining 28 on schedule [1] - The installation of lighting facilities at pedestrian crossings has received positive feedback from citizens, enhancing their sense of safety while crossing busy streets [2] Group 2 - The city has implemented additional safety measures, including the installation of 6 lighting fixtures and synchronized luminous road studs at a busy intersection, with 19 out of 30 planned illuminated crossings completed by the end of July [2] - Upgrades are being made to 15 temporary traffic signal intersections to address visibility issues caused by larger vehicles obstructing smaller ones [2] - The city is also enhancing public services by adding drinking water facilities in parks and optimizing public transport routes, focusing on small, impactful changes to improve community services [2] Group 3 - Zigong is focusing on elderly care by establishing specialized meal services for seniors with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, in collaboration with local hospitals [4] - By the end of 2024, the elderly population in Zigong is projected to reach approximately 770,000, accounting for about 31% of the total population, with plans to operate 120 elderly meal service points this year [5] - The city is also addressing the needs of children by optimizing 234 "Children's Companionship Homes" and setting up 174 public holiday care classes, serving over 5,000 children from various backgrounds [5]