Baku is preparing to host the World Urban Forum this weekend, with more than 32,000 participants from 180 countries expected to arrive in the Azerbaijani capital for the six-day event.
The forum, organised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is one of the world’s largest gatherings focused on cities, urban planning and sustainable development.
It brings together government officials, architects, environmental experts, investors and civil society representatives to discuss how cities can respond to growing pressures linked to climate change, migration and rapid urbanisation.
Ahead of the opening on Sunday, journalists were given a special tour of the Baku Olympic Stadium, which has been transformed into a large-scale conference and exhibition venue.
Ali Mammadov, executive director of the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating Company, said: “The venue for the WUF13 event covers 53 hectares, including the Baku Olympic Stadium and the overall operational scope formed around it. Of this, 10 hectares are designated for transportation.”
Organisers have divided the stadium into several themed zones inspired by Azerbaijan’s urban planning traditions. One section, known as Zone A, includes five streets named after Azerbaijani cities.
“Urban planning traditions were prioritised in the design of the Baku Olympic Stadium,” Mammadov said.
At the centre of the venue is the Urban Expo Zone, a 3.5-hectare exhibition space where countries and organisations will present projects linked to smart cities, sustainable infrastructure and future urban development.
“The Urban Expo Zone covers 3.5 hectares. This area will accommodate exhibition spaces for all participants,” Mammadov said.
A total of 41 countries are participating with national pavilions, including Azerbaijan’s own 1,500-square-metre pavilion showcasing local urban development projects and infrastructure initiatives.
“A total of 41 countries will participate with pavilions, including the Azerbaijan Pavilion, which covers 1,500 square metres,” he added.
Throughout the forum, organisers expect up to 300 sessions and meetings to take place each day, ranging from high-level diplomatic discussions to technical workshops hosted across 121 pavilions at the Urban Expo.
For Azerbaijan, hosting the World Urban Forum is being presented as an opportunity to showcase its long-term vision for urban development and strengthen its profile as a host of major international events.
In recent years, Baku has hosted high-profile sporting tournaments, diplomatic gatherings and climate-related conferences as part of broader efforts to position itself as a regional hub connecting Europe and Asia.
This year’s World Urban Forum will also include a leaders’ summit for the first time in the event’s history, reflecting the growing political importance of urban policy and sustainable city planning.
As final preparations continue around the Olympic Stadium, workers, volunteers and organisers are racing to complete the final details before delegates begin arriving in the coming days.
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...
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.
Spain has received around 900,000 applications from undocumented migrants seeking legal status under a government regularisation programme. The influx has far exceeded initial expectations, the Migration Ministry said on Monday.
A Ukrainian man has been found guilty of carrying out a series of arson attacks on properties linked to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after being recruited by a mystery figure known only as "EL Money".
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