Baku will host the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) from 17 to 22 May, bringing together around 25,000 participants from 176 countries to address the global housing crisis and sustainable urban development.
Held under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”, the forum will focus on housing as a key driver of inclusive and resilient urban growth.
Organisers say the event will emphasise housing as a human right and its role in shaping global policy frameworks.
WUF13 will feature six high-level dialogues bringing together global leaders, policymakers and experts to examine solutions to housing challenges. Discussions will explore how equitable housing can support wider goals such as climate resilience, inclusive governance, land security and integrated urban planning.
The forum comes at a time when global housing pressures remain severe.
Organisers note that nearly three billion people are affected by inadequate housing conditions, with more than 1.1 billion living in informal settlements or slums, and over 300 million experiencing homelessness. Rising climate risks and widening inequalities are further compounding the challenge.
As a midpoint milestone in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, WUF13 is expected to influence global urban policy discussions and contribute to the United Nations Secretary-General’s 2026 report on its progress.
Hosting the forum places Baku at the centre of global urban discussions.
Officials highlight the city’s transformation and its blend of heritage and modern development, positioning it as a meeting point between East and West.
Anar Guliyev, chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and WUF13 national coordinator, said the city was prepared to welcome participants.
“We invite you all to Baku to join WUF13, a significant milestone in our partnership with UN-Habitat,” he said.
“Our city welcomes you with friendship and a spirit of collaboration, ready to work together to advance our shared goals and contribute to shaping a better urban future for all, leaving no one behind.”
The forum is expected to highlight practical approaches linking housing policy with broader urban systems, including climate adaptation and locally driven development.
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Global leaders gathered in Baku this week for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, where heads of state and senior officials warned that rapid urban growth is placing increasing pressure on housing, infrastructure and climate resilience.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) has opened in Baku, bringing together governments, international organisations, city leaders and civil society to address mounting global urban challenges.
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The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
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Global leaders gathered in Baku this week for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, where heads of state and senior officials warned that rapid urban growth is placing increasing pressure on housing, infrastructure and climate resilience.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) has opened in Baku, bringing together governments, international organisations, city leaders and civil society to address mounting global urban challenges.
As cities increasingly take on greater geopolitical significance amidst conflicts, climate change and shifting global alliances, discussions at the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan have gone beyond architecture and urban development according to a political analyst.
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The global housing crisis has reached what UN officials describe as “staggering” proportions, with nearly 2.8 billion people, around 40 per cent of the world’s population, lacking access to adequate housing, secure land, or basic services such as water and sanitation.
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