Matiul Haq Khalis, Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency, has travelled to Baku to attend the 13th World Urban Forum, where climate change and safer cities will be discussed.
The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) said Khalis left for Azerbaijan as the head of an Afghan delegation to take part in the forum, which is organised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
NEPA said the gathering would bring together government officials, mayors, international organisations, climate experts and urban development agencies.
“The international forum, held under the theme ‘Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,’ is considered one of the world’s important urban and environmental gatherings,” the agency said.
The World Urban Forum is scheduled to take place from 17 to 22 May 2026 in Baku, according to UN-Habitat and the forum’s organisers.
Afghanistan’s participation comes as the country faces increasing pressure from droughts, floods, earthquakes, landslides and weak urban infrastructure.
The World Bank says Afghanistan is highly prone to recurring natural hazards, while climate change threatens natural resources that many Afghans depend on for their livelihoods.
The forum could be important for Afghanistan as it looks for experience in urban planning, disaster preparedness, waste management and climate-resilient cities. Many Afghan cities have grown with limited planning, while poor housing and weak infrastructure make communities more vulnerable to extreme weather.
“The Afghan delegation is expected to take part in various sessions and technical discussions on climate change, urban environmental protection, sustainable development, waste management, green cities, prevention of air pollution, and urban resilience,” NEPA said.
NEPA said Khalis and his delegation would also meet international organisations, donor institutions and representatives of other countries to discuss environmental cooperation and technical support.
“The National Environmental Protection Agency considers participation in such international forums important for Afghanistan and believes it will be useful for exchanging international experiences, expanding climate and environmental cooperation, and addressing the country’s urban and environmental challenges,” the agency said.
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump...
Iran has said that reaching an agreement with the U.S. to end the war does not mean Tehran will overlook what it describes as war crimes committed aga...
Pakistan's political leadership on Monday welcomed a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending more than three months of confli...
Uzbekistan and five partner countries have signed a protocol to further develop the CASCA+ railway corridor, a growing transport route linking Central...
The UK has become the latest country to annouce a social media ban for children under 16. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement on...
Trade routes through Afghanistan took centre stage in Almaty as the European Union, Central Asian states and the United Nations discussed the country's role in shaping regional security and economic connectivity.
Authorities in the western Afghan city of Herat have arrested at least 30 women for allegedly breaching dress rules imposed by the Taliban, according to the United Nations agency for women’s rights.
More than 500 Afghan prisoners serving prison terms in Iran have been transferred to Afghanistan after their identities were verified, Afghan officials said, as Kabul and Tehran continue a prisoner transfer process.
Pakistan says it has killed 26 militants in strikes on terrorist hideouts along the Afghan border, marking the most significant escalation between the neighbouring countries since a China-brokered diplomatic effort helped ease tensions earlier this year.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Iran has said that reaching an agreement with the U.S. to end the war does not mean Tehran will overlook what it describes as war crimes committed against Iranians by Israel and the United States.
Uzbekistan and five partner countries have signed a protocol to further develop the CASCA+ railway corridor, a growing transport route linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Türkiye that provides an alternative connection between Asian and European markets.
An armed unmanned aerial vehicle crashed on a Black Sea beach in northern Türkiye on Sunday, prompting a security operation and the controlled detonation of its munitions.
Fighting in southern Lebanon eased on Monday after a U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at ending months of regional conflict was announced, although uncertainty remained over how the deal would be implemented on the ground.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday welcomed the newly announced peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, urging all parties to exercise restraint and work towards a lasting settlement.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment