Preparations are under way for the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), which will be hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku in 2026, in partnership with UN-Habitat, the United Nations agency for sustainable urban development.
Eldar Rasulov, media relations manager for the WUF13 Operational Company, said the forum would mark a milestone as the first World Urban Forum to be held in the Caspian and South Caucasus regions.
About 10,000 international delegates are expected, with total participation estimated at around 30,000 people, including a large number of heads of state and government.
The forum will host 40 main sessions and 350 partner events, with key sessions offering simultaneous translation in eight languages, including sign language.
Preparations for the event began on June 30, 2025, Rasulov said, with work under way on institutional planning, infrastructure, transport, security, communications and operations.
A core organising team of about 300 professionals has been formed, alongside a volunteer programme that has attracted 16,000 applications, from which 2,500 trained volunteers will be selected.
The event will be held at Baku Olympic Stadium, where construction and infrastructure upgrades are under way.
Organisers said the forum will follow sustainable event management standards, including ISO 20121, with conference and exhibition facilities covering a total area of 92,000 square metres.
An Urban Expo, spanning 35,000 square metres, will form a central part of the forum. It will feature participation from countries, cities, municipalities, UN organisations, academic institutions, development banks, civil society groups and private companies.
Organisers said transport and security planning would be key priorities, with 11 transport hubs identified and routes mapped between the airport, hotels, the city centre and the stadium.
Rasulov said Azerbaijan’s experience hosting large international events, including COP29, had strengthened its capacity in logistics, security, transport, volunteer management and media operations, providing a solid foundation for WUF13.
Applications are open for the Urban Expo, part of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), with exhibitors able to apply until 31 March 2026.
The expo will showcase practical solutions to major urban challenges, including housing, access to basic services, climate resilience, digital innovation and inclusive growth. Two new feature spaces will be introduced: a WUF Academy Campus for training and knowledge exchange, and a Startup Pavilion for emerging, technology-driven and climate-smart urban solutions.
Exhibitors will be assessed on thematic relevance, innovation, sustainability, diversity and compliance with guidelines. Pre-built booths start at 9 square metres at $612 per square metre, while space-only bookings begin at 18 square metres at $195 per square metre. All prices are subject to 18% VAT.
Further details are available on the Urban Expo website and in the exhibition guidelines.
As Iran entered the second day of the funeral procession for the late Surpreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, U.S. President Donald Trump said Israeli...
Governments are tightening restrictions on teenagers’ use of social media amid growing concerns over mental health, online safety and platform desig...
U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to help find a solution to the war in Ukraine during a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Pu...
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed crowds on Washington's National Mall on Saturday night after severe weather delayed his appearance at celebratio...
France will face Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals after edging past Paraguay 1-0, while the Atlas Lions booked their place with a convincing 3-...
As climate pressures and urbanisation accelerate worldwide, governments are increasingly investing in smart cities and villages to build more sustainable and resilient communities. Across the world, digital technologies are reshaping how cities and rural areas are planned and managed.
The 13th edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku showed Azerbaijan’s “meaningful contribution to multilateralism,” the country’s President Ilham Aliyev has said.
As the 13th edition of the World Urban Forum ended, Azerbaijan's Pavilion showcased reconstruction efforts in its liberated territories and foregrounded the importance of mine removal in resettlement efforts.
The 13th session of the World Urban Forum concluded in Baku on 22 May after six days of discussions focused on housing, climate resilience, urban governance and social inclusion, bringing together tens of thousands of participants from around the world to shape the future of sustainable cities.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Germany has requested urgent talks with China's ambassador following reports that Chinese authorities trained Russian soldiers, adding fresh strain to relations between Beijing and Europe amid the war in Ukraine.
As Iran entered the second day of the funeral procession for the late Surpreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, U.S. President Donald Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could visit the White House as early as next week.
Kyrgyzstan’s ex-second in command, Kamchybek Tashiev, has been convicted of plotting to overthrow the country’s President Sadyr Japarov. Tashiev and Japarov had ruled the Central Asian nation in tandem since 2020, until the former was unexpectedly ousted in February.
Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the eastern German city of Erfurt on Saturday as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) opened its annual party conference, where delegates voted to keep Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as the party's co-leaders.
Armenia's parliament has passed a new law raising the requirements for citizens living abroad to vote in national elections, following concerns over alleged efforts to influence last month's parliamentary vote through Armenian citizens residing in Russia.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment