A media briefing in Baku has outlined preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place in Baku from 17 to 22 May 2026.
The briefing highlighted the growing role of cities in global development, with housing placed at the centre of discussions. The theme of this year’s forum, “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” reflects growing concern over the global housing crisis.
Speakers included Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat; Anar Guliyev, Chairman of Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture and WUF13 National Coordinator; Erfan Ali, Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at UN-Habitat; Igor Garafulic, United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim in Azerbaijan; and Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly and former foreign minister of Ecuador.
They noted that more than one billion people worldwide live in informal settlements, while around 300 million are homeless, highlighting the scale of the global housing challenge.
Journalists were previously shown preparations at the Baku Olympic Stadium, which will serve as the forum’s main venue. The site is expected to host around 40 main sessions, more than 350 parallel events and a 35,000-square-metre Urban Expo, presenting innovative housing solutions and sustainable urban initiatives.
Officials said preparations are progressing through close cooperation between the Government of Azerbaijan, UN-Habitat and international partners.
UN representatives praised the Government of Azerbaijan for its strong support not only in hosting a world-class event but also in linking WUF13 to long-term public policy, global development goals, and environmental and urban priorities. Speakers also highlighted Azerbaijan’s hospitality, rich culture and history, and the country’s leadership in demonstrating how cities can address global urban challenges.
Speakers also stressed the importance of linking WUF13 with regional and national urban forums, including upcoming meetings in Bratislava, Serbia and Uzbekistan, as well as global platforms such as the Sustainable Development Forum in Geneva and the ESCAP Committee for Housing and Urban Development.
Officials also highlighted the wider regional context of urban development in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, noting that a new UN-Habitat regional office in Istanbul will support urban transformation across the region.
Key logistical preparations include the launch of the official website World13.org, which provides information on registration, visas, accommodation and transport for participants. An official accommodation booking platform has also been introduced.
Organisers say nearly 15,000 participants from 169 countries have already registered for the forum.
The event is expected to bring together governments, local authorities, UN agencies, civil society organisations, academic institutions and private-sector representatives to discuss major urban challenges.
WUF13 will also host its first Leaders’ Summit, bringing together heads of state and government to discuss cities as strategic global priorities.
Organisers said the media will play an important role in sharing the forum’s outcomes and highlighting solutions to global urban challenges.
With thousands of participants expected, the forum is set to become a major international platform for shaping discussions on the future of cities and communities.
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A documentary produced by AnewZ highlighting the Azerbaijani city of Shaki and its living heritage was screened on 21 May during the 13th Session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13).
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