The World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) in Baku has placed a strong emphasis on strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors, with discussions focused on sustainable urban development, investment opportunities and innovation in city planning.
Government institutions worked alongside representatives from business and property development sectors during a series of sessions aimed at identifying practical opportunities for collaboration.
The discussions focused on improving how urban projects are designed and delivered, while making them more attractive to long-term investment and better aligned with sustainability goals.
A dedicated session, “Delivering Smart and Sustainable Urban Projects in Azerbaijan”, highlighted how these approaches are already being implemented in practice. It examined planning, financing and delivery models, as well as lessons emerging from ongoing projects for cities, investors and urban development professionals.
A key focus was Azerbaijan’s broader urban development strategy and its connection to post-conflict resettlement. Vahid Hajiyev, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan, outlined the policy direction behind these efforts and the experience gained through implementation.
He said the country had been tasked “to create a sustainable resettlement and whatever is behind it”, adding that this became the foundation for the Great Return Programme.
He explained that, under this framework, Azerbaijan began introducing smart city and smart village concepts as part of its reconstruction approach.
Hajiyev also referred to projects already under way in areas such as Zangilan and Aghdam, noting that these developments have become practical examples of the model being applied.
Reflecting on Azerbaijan’s role at the forum, he said participation in WUF13 in Baku comes after “quite a lot of things in terms of urban perspective”, adding that the event provided an opportunity to share experiences with a wider international audience.
Beyond national initiatives, discussions throughout the forum also addressed broader technical and financial aspects of urban development. Topics included project design and implementation, investment facilitation, financing mechanisms and approaches to risk management.
Participants exchanged perspectives on both challenges and successful practices drawn from real-world project experience.
Overall, WUF13 continues to serve as an international platform for dialogue, bringing together policymakers, investors and practitioners to share knowledge and explore more effective approaches to building sustainable cities.
As the 13th edition of the World Urban Forum ended, Azerbaijan's Pavilion ...
U.S. President Donald Trump surprised NATO allies by announcing plans to deploy an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland, just hours before Se...
Fighting in the Russia–Ukraine war has intensified sharply, with both sides launching significant strikes...
A Turkish court has effectively removed the main opposition leader, Özgür Özel, in a ruling that has deepened political tensions and...
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...
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.
U.S. President Donald Trump surprised NATO allies by announcing plans to deploy an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland, just hours before Secretary of State Marco Rubio was due to meet alliance ministers in Sweden on Friday against the backdrop of growing divisions over the Iran war.
Fighting in the Russia–Ukraine war has intensified sharply, with both sides launching significant strikes far beyond the front lines as the conflict enters its 1,549th day.
A Turkish court has effectively removed the main opposition leader, Özgür Özel, in a ruling that has deepened political tensions and rattled financial markets.
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.
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.
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).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment