WUF13 in Baku marks historic milestones for urban development

According to “Stabil.az”, the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), jointly organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Government of Azerbaijan, transformed Azerbaijan’s capital into a global hub for discussions on the future of cities and sustainable urban development.

Held under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” the forum brought together government officials, mayors, architects, urban planners, academics, investors, and representatives of civil society from across the globe. WUF13 became an important international platform for addressing major issues linked to urbanization, climate change, social progress, environmental sustainability, and the future of modern urban spaces.

One of the key events on the opening day was the ministerial meeting on the New Urban Agenda, chaired by Azerbaijan. The meeting played an important role in strengthening international cooperation aimed at ensuring sustainable urban development. Throughout the forum, participants discussed a broad range of topics, including sustainable transport systems, green urban development, digital transformation, inclusive living environments, and climate-resilient city models.

In parallel, participating countries showcased innovative urban development initiatives during the “Urban Expo” exhibition held as part of WUF13. Azerbaijan’s national pavilion highlighted the country’s modern urban planning initiatives and reconstruction projects. Particular interest was shown in the large-scale reconstruction and development work being carried out in the liberated territories.

Speaking at the official closing ceremony, Chairman of the State Committee for Architecture and Urban Planning Anar Guliyev stated that approximately 115,000 people took part in the discussions and activities organized within the framework of WUF13.

At the same time, the Baku forum entered the history of the World Urban Forum due to several major innovations introduced for the first time.

For the first time in WUF history, a leaders’ summit was organized within the framework of the forum with the participation of heads of state and government from different countries. The summit created a high-level platform where world leaders exchanged views on the future of cities and global urban challenges.

Another historic development was the organization of the first-ever “WUF13 NGO Forum” on May 19. The event was organized by Azerbaijan’s NGO Agency in partnership with the “Global South NGO Platform” (GSNP), which unites NGOs from 116 countries around the world.

During the opening ceremony, Executive Director of the UN-Habitat Programme Anaclaudia Rossbach described WUF13 as a historic event for the forum. She emphasized the essential role played by civil society in urban planning processes and decision-making mechanisms.

In total, around 800 local and international NGO representatives participated in the WUF13 NGO Forum.

Another memorable milestone associated with WUF13 was the establishment of a new global award in the field of sustainable urban development — the Baku Urban Award — jointly launched by the Government of Azerbaijan and the UN-Habitat Programme.

During the forum, the official presentation ceremony of the award was held. The initiative was established at the proposal of the Azerbaijani government in partnership with UN-Habitat with the aim of encouraging and expanding advanced urban development solutions in the fields of sustainable urbanization and affordable housing.

The award is expected to become one of the main lasting legacies of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum. It is designed as a long-term international mechanism that will continue promoting the global urban agenda beyond the framework of the forum itself.

The initiative combines three major components: practical urban solutions already implemented by specialists, scientifically grounded expert knowledge, and the integration of successful experiences into national and international policymaking processes.

Evaluation of projects and initiatives submitted for the award will be conducted by an independent jury consisting of leading international experts in architecture, urban planning, housing, climate sustainability, finance, and civil society. The award will function as an open international platform accessible to participants from all regions of the world.

The establishment of the Baku Urban Award is also regarded as another example of Azerbaijan’s long-term commitment to the global urban and climate agenda. Among the country’s initiatives in this direction are hosting COP29, launching the “Multisectoral Actions Pathways to Resilient and Healthy Cities” initiative and the “Baku Sustainability Coalition,” co-chairing the UN-Habitat Open Intergovernmental Working Group on “Adequate Housing for All,” and hosting WUF13 in Baku.

Overall, the successful organization of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum once again demonstrated Azerbaijan’s growing international standing and its ability to host major global events. At the same time, WUF13 highlighted Baku’s transformation into a modern and dynamic city distinguished by its development potential, multicultural environment, and openness to international partnership and cooperation.