United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
The first-ever “WUF13 NGO Forum” was held on 19 May 2026 in Baku, bringing together nearly 800 NGO representatives as part of the World Urban Forum.
Organised by Azerbaijan’s NGO Agency in partnership with the Global South NGO Platform, the forum was described as “historic” by UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach, who highlighted the role of civil society in urban development.
Hikmat Hajiyev said Azerbaijan is becoming a key platform for Global North–South cooperation, while speakers stressed that cities must be shaped jointly by governments and civil society.
Discussions focused on rising urban challenges, including climate change and housing pressures, and called for stronger NGO involvement in global urban governance.
Azerbaijan has become a major centre for global urbanisation discussions, Hulusi Kılıç, former Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan and representative of the IMZA Social Development Support Public Union in Türkiye, told Azertag.
He noted that the participation of nearly 45,000 delegates from around the world at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) highlights the platform’s importance for dialogue and the scale of urbanisation challenges.
According to him, Azerbaijan’s experience in hosting major international events, including COP29, strengthens its contribution to global discussions.
“Baku’s becoming the first city in the region to host the WUF forums is another sign of Azerbaijan's growing influence, marking a success for the entire Turkic world,” he said.
Saudi Arabia’s Sumou Global Investments plans to expand into Azerbaijan’s real estate sector, its Chief Business Development Officer Ahmed Khan Al Hashimi told Azertac.
“We conducted a detailed monitoring of Azerbaijan’s real estate market around 6–7 years ago. We are currently establishing partnerships with real estate companies in Azerbaijan and aim to invest in this market,” he said.
“I am confident that WUF13 will make a significant contribution to addressing the challenges of urbanization. The event provides us with the opportunity to share experiences and knowledge,” he added.
A high-level meeting of the Baku Continuity Coalition on Urban Climate Action and Sustainable Urbanisation was held during the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, focusing on strengthening urban climate governance and expanding international cooperation.
The meeting, opened by Anar Guliyev and Yalchin Rafiyev, highlighted the Coalition’s aim to address gaps in urban climate policy and ensure continuity between global forums.
It brought together representatives from multiple countries alongside UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach, with several new countries joining the initiative.
Participants stressed the importance of coordinated governance, policy, and financing for building sustainable and inclusive urban environments, with housing identified as a key priority.
UN-Habitat’s Regional Director Erfan Ali told the OTS High-Level Urban Dialogue at WUF13 in Baku that climate-resilient cities and integrated planning are vital for urban development, noting that as urban populations surpass 70%, cities must be better prepared to manage the frontline impacts of climate change.
“Building climate-resilient cities is essential in urban development, and integrated planning is crucial for this,” said Erfan Ali, Director of the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, at the OTS High-Level Urban Dialogue held at the Azerbaijani pavilion during WUF13 in Baku.
An event themed “NGO Forum: Global Partnerships and Decision-Making” has been held for the first time as part of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13).
Organised by the Azerbaijan State Agency for Support to NGOs, the forum brought the role of civil society in inclusive urban planning and sustainable urban development to the floor for discussion.
Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), expressed her satisfaction with Azerbaijan's participation in the national urban forum. She noted her pleasure in seeing communities and various stakeholders actively engaged in Azerbaijan's reconstruction process.
Rossbach added that resolving the global housing crisis is impossible without the participation of NGOs.
Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, stated that the Global South NGO Platform, established within the framework of COP29, is already transforming into a successful international initiative.
“The General Assembly of this platform was established this year, and I look forward to the future of this initiative with great hope. Challenges confronting cities such as rapid urbanization, population growth, and climate change are already on the agenda of all states. Azerbaijan is also experiencing the impacts of climate change,” he said.
Emphasising that Azerbaijan possesses ancient urban planning traditions, Hikmat Hajiyev noted that cities like ancient Gabala have historically served as centers of trade, science, cooperation, and culture.
“Today, one of the main challenges is the preservation of cultural heritage alongside the development of modern cities,” he added.
Aygun Aliyeva, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan State Agency for Support to NGOs, stated that in recent years, Azerbaijan has transformed into a venue where major international initiatives and solidarity platforms in the field of civil society take shape.
“International events demonstrate that Azerbaijan has become an important platform that brings together civil society representatives from various regions, rather than just acting as a host country. These platforms create new opportunities for dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity,” Aliyeva noted.
Luis Gallegos, Chairman of the Board of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), noted that cities must be built in a manner suitable for women, men, and children.
“At the same time, the needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities must remain under special focus. The decision-making process under conditions of multilateral cooperation is a complex and responsible task. Nevertheless, the UN is one of the most vital platforms in existence for solving global problems, and NGOs must be an integral part of this process,” Luis Gallegos added.
“Hosting WUF13 reflects the growing international recognition of Azerbaijan's active role in advancing sustainable development, climate action, and multilateral cooperation under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev,” Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues, said in a video address to the participants of an event organized by the Ministry on the theme “Early Warning and Climate-Resilient Cities,” as part of WUF13.
“COP29 in Baku demonstrated Azerbaijan's strong commitment to global climate cooperation and practical climate action. It delivered important outcomes on climate change adaptation and implementation, while also highlighting the need to strengthen resilience in cities and communities facing growing climate crises,” the Presidential Envoy noted.
“Climate change is reshaping urban realities across the world. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, more intense, and less predictable. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, the last decade has been the warmest on record, while the last three years were the hottest ever observed globally.
Cities are increasingly at the center of these events. Heatwaves, storms, droughts, and landslides are already damaging infrastructure, disrupting essential services, and affecting millions of people worldwide. Early warning systems help reduce loss of life and injury, minimize economic losses, and protect critical infrastructure during climate-related hazards.
No country can build resilience alone. No city can adapt alone. Partnerships, science, technology, and international cooperation will be essential in shaping climate-resilient urban futures.
Azerbaijan remains committed to contributing to their efforts and to strengthening dialogue and cooperation. We hope the session will contribute to stronger dialogue and practical cooperation,” Mukhtar Babayev added.
"The organisation of the NGO Forum within the framework of WUF13 holds special significance. The Government of Azerbaijan pays special attention to the development of civil society institutions. It is impossible to form sustainable, resilient, and human-centered cities without the participation of civil society institutions," said Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, during his speech at the event themed “NGO Forum: Global Partnerships and Decision-Making.”
"Without the participation of the NGO community, such an event could not be considered complete. Your perspectives, contributions, and recommendations are highly valuable to us. The Azerbaijan State Agency for Support to NGOs has been established in Azerbaijan. The state provides support toward increasing the financial opportunities of NGOs, as well as conducting training programs, institutional development, and capacity building. We extensively utilize the knowledge and experience of NGOs in the process of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals," Hikmat Hajiyev added.
On 19 May, an event themed “NDCs 3.0: Urban Law and Multi-level Governance to Enable Climate Commitments” was held as part of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
The event, moderated by the UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, Babatunde Ahonsi, explored how law, governance, and policy can bridge the gap between national climate ambitions and local realities, and how to position cities at the center of climate action.
It was noted during the discussions that when speaking about the context of climate change, its impact is felt equally by everyone on a global scale. However, the capacity to combat this impact varies. Vulnerable and unprotected populations cope with these effects in an entirely different manner compared to those possessing adequate resources.
Within this context of vulnerability, cities form the front line of climate impacts. When migration occurs, it does not happen from city to city, but rather from rural areas toward urban centers. Likewise, when floods occur, the resulting destruction of infrastructure is experienced directly within cities.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network held a press conference during the 13th World Urban Forum 2026 to present a new strategic partnership titled “The Future of Cities”.
The initiative seeks to create a multilateral platform aimed at advancing inclusive, sustainable, resilient and digitally driven urban development. It is intended to support the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The event featured remarks by Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, and Jeffrey Sachs, Professor at Columbia University and President of SDSN.
Addressing the conference, Rossbach said a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed between UN-Habitat and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, formally launching cooperation between the two organisations. She described the partnership as a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and dialogue on the future of cities. Rossbach also underlined the rapid pace of global urbanisation, noting that urbanisation is expected to reach 70% over the next two decades.
In his speech, Sachs said cities are facing major challenges, including climate change, natural disasters, conflicts and reconstruction efforts. He stressed that the cities of the future should be green, digital, secure and centred on people’s well-being.
Addressing another event as part of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum, Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, highlighted Azerbaijan's achievements in the reconstruction of the destroyed cities of the Garabagh region.
The event is dedicated to the elimination of the consequences of the destruction caused by wars and occupation.
“Azerbaijan is a venue for hosting international high-level events, and our country successfully organises a series of such events. Azerbaijan hosted one of the largest events within the UN framework, COP29. Following this, Azerbaijan’s hosting of WUF13 is an indicator of the trust placed in our country by both the international community and the United Nations,” said Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, in a statement to journalists.
“Not all countries in the world are able to host an event of this scale under current conditions. In terms of the security situation, ongoing wars, as well as organisational capacity, the preparedness level of cities, and other parameters, not all cities and countries are ready for such events,” the Presidential Assistant added.
According to him, the trust of the international community, Azerbaijan’s readiness, and its successful hosting of numerous major events have made it possible to hold such a prestigious event as the World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan.
Speaking exclusively to AnewZ at the 13th edition of the World Urban Forum in the Azerbaijani capital, Hajiyev said the forum is set to be the biggest in the history of the World Urban Forum.
“Creating new connections between industrial zones across different regions and restoring economic opportunities means laying the groundwork and creating the conditions for long-term peace and cooperation,” Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during the event titled “Cities at the heart of connectivity: Urban reconstruction and regional cooperation,” held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum 2026.
He noted that new transport corridors, railways, highways, energy infrastructure and digital networks are integrating reconstruction areas into wider regional and international economic systems. According to Bayramov, these investments support mobility, trade, investment, tourism and employment, while also deepening regional interdependence and fostering long-term stability. In this context, he stressed that their impact goes well beyond Azerbaijan’s borders, strengthening connectivity between Asia and Europe and contributing to wider regional economic growth and cooperation.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a sister city relationship between Azerbaijani city of Shusha and Trabzon city of Türkiye, has been signed as part of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
The document was signed by Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Shusha district, and Ahmet Metin Genç, Mayor of Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality.
Shusha has already established sister relationship with 10 cities.
Speaking at the World Urban Forum in Baku, Türkiye’s COP31 President Murat Kurum highlighted the growing partnership between Türkiye and Azerbaijan under the “One nation, two states” principle.
Kurum said cooperation between the two countries continues to deepen through regional initiatives, urban development and international platforms such as WUF13.
On the third day of WUF13 in Baku, discussions focused on how to turn political commitments into practical urban solutions for rapidly urbanising regions.
An African Ministerial Meeting brought together officials responsible for housing and urban development to address shared challenges and coordinate policy responses, with support from UN-Habitat, the African Union Commission, and UNECA.
The talks centred on implementing the Nairobi Declaration into concrete action across the continent as Africa’s key collective urban policy framework.
An international training session on “Inclusive Cities and Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities” was held as part of the WUF13.
The event aimed to highlight the importance of inclusive cities that support independent living for persons with disabilities at both policy and practical levels.
It was emphasised that inclusive cities go beyond physical accessibility and also require integrated services, psychosocial support, and meaningful participation in decision-making.
The training concluded that the initiative will significantly strengthen international cooperation and institutional dialogue in Azerbaijan on inclusive urban development, independent living, and the rights of persons with disabilities.
A special training session on "Green Homes, Green Balconies Hydroponic Solutions for Climate-Resilient Urban Living" was held as part of the 13th Session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), organised by the Baku State University (BSU).
The training session focused on transforming urban homes and balconies into climate-resilient, resource-efficient and healthy living spaces through the application of small-scale hydroponic systems.
It presented the “Green Homes, Green Balconies” concept as a practical, low-carbon, nature-based solution suitable even for densely populated urban areas with limited space.
At the World Urban Forum 13 in Baku, Yves-Laurent Sapoval, France’s Ministerial Delegate for Sustainable Cities and Urban Envoy for the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, said resettlement has become a key global issue that must be understood as both economic and social in nature.
Speaking at a session titled “The Social and Economic Power of Housing: How Can Housing Drive Prosperity While Ensuring Equity for All?”, he noted that around 50% of global assets are concentrated in real estate, making the sector highly exposed to climate change impacts.
He added that demographic pressures require continued development of social housing, stressing that workers must have access to affordable housing to enable mobility and relocation where needed.
The Group for Eastern Europe and Central Asia convened a meeting within the framework of WUF13 in Baku, bringing together representatives from governments, municipalities, the private sector, civil society, youth, academia and international organisations.
Erfan Ali, Director of the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, highlighted ongoing global demographic changes and stressed the importance UN-Habitat places on engagement with civil society actors.
Representatives from Ukraine, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova and other countries shared perspectives on regional realities and urban development challenges, reflecting diverse national contexts and priorities.
The Azerbaijan pavilion has opened its doors to visitors at the Urban Expo held within the framework of WUF13 in Baku.
As the largest national showcase at the exhibition, the 1,500-square-metre pavilion presents Azerbaijan’s contemporary vision for urban planning, sustainable development and long-term spatial transformation.
Its architectural concept is inspired by the futuristic design language of the Heydar Aliyev Centre, designed by architect Zaha Hadid.
The exhibition space highlights urban development projects, cultural heritage sites such as Icherisheher, environmental initiatives, tourism potential and major architectural landmarks.
It also features reconstruction efforts in Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur, including smart city and smart village projects, as well as plans to develop the region into a green energy zone.
Princess Lamia Bint Majed AlSaud of Saudi Arabia, UN-Habitat’s Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab States, said housing must be understood as a foundation for security, stability and dignity rather than an end goal in itself.
Speaking during a WUF13 panel on “The Social and Economic Power of Housing”, she urged the international community to rethink housing as a starting point for broader social and economic resilience.
She highlighted that Alwaleed Philanthropies has worked on housing and decent living conditions for nearly 45 years, supporting around 1.2 million people and investing more than $5 billion in humanitarian support and women’s rights initiatives.
Princess AlSaud stressed that the focus should go beyond building homes to creating environments that enable long-term self-sufficiency and independence for families.
The women’s group meeting, held as part of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), focused on women’s housing rights, gender equality, and role in decision-making processes.
Addressing the event, Maryam Majidova, a founder of “Gender Hub Azerbaijan” and member of the Public Council under the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, underscored the importance of women’s participation in decision-making processes.
Achille Noupeou from Association des Amoureux du Livre pour le Développement Local (ASSOAL), a community development organisation based in Cameroon, highlighted to AnewZ the importance of using local materials to reduce housing costs and carbon emissions while improving access to affordable housing.
He also stressed that people must remain at the centre of public policies and decision-making processes to create more inclusive and sustainable communities.
“I think that we have so far elaborated a unique experience in how to build cities and villages from scratch,” President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with Euronews TV on 18 May.
He also noted: “It was unfortunately due to the large-scale devastation of the occupied territories, so we had to do it. So the step-by-step approach, and in some cases a parallel track on development, led to the fact that in five years' time we already have 85,000 people returned back.”
An official reception was held at the Gulustan Palace on behalf of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in honour of the heads of state and delegations participating in the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku on Monday.
Baku hosted the Leaders’ Statements on 18 May as part of the 13th United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13), featuring addresses by heads of state.
Speakers commended Baku’s emergence as a key international dialogue hub and noted the large-scale restoration and reconstruction work in the liberated territories.
They also underlined that WUF13 provides a major platform for addressing urban planning challenges and advancing innovative approaches to sustainable urban development.
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The 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku concluded with a high-level Women’s Roundtable focused on advancing gender equality and wom...
The 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku concluded with a high-level Women’s Roundtable focused on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in housing and urban development.
As cities expand and climate pressures intensify, access to safe water and sanitation is becoming one of the world’s most urgent urban challenges.
An event titled “Rethinking Cultural Heritage and Inclusive Urban Regeneration” was held on Wednesday (20 May) during WUF13 in Baku, bringing together international officials, urban planners and cultural experts to discuss how heritage preservation can support more inclusive and resilient cities.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 19th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Asian stocks surged on Thursday as some vessels resumed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while forecast-beating results at Nvidia and a suspended workers' strike at Samsung Electronics lifted shares of chipmakers.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said Belarus will not be dragged into the war in Ukraine, while also stressing that Minsk and Moscow would jointly respond to any aggression against them.
The penultimate day of the World Urban Forum 13 in Baku will see Azerbaijan's Pavilion highlight post-construction efforts in Garabagh and East Zangezur, as well as host events on the future of Baku and architectural education.
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.
NATO fighter jets were activated on Thursday (21 May) after at least one drone entered Latvian airspace, according to Latvia’s armed forces, marking the latest in a series of security incidents across the Baltic region linked to the war in Ukraine.
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 in Baku concluded with a high-level Women’s Roundtable focused on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in housing and urban development.
Officials and urban development experts at WUF13 in Baku examined how conflict, displacement and climate disasters are intensifying the global housing crisis and placing increasing pressure on cities worldwide.
As cities expand and climate pressures intensify, access to safe water and sanitation is becoming one of the world’s most urgent urban challenges.
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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