Azerbaijan named co-chair of UN-Habitat working group on global housing PHOTO

On October 23, the second session (OEWG-H2) of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) established under the 2023 resolution of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) Assembly on “Adequate Housing for All” took place at the UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

During the session, Azerbaijan was elected co-chair of the Bureau of the Working Group for the 2025–2026 term, with Somalia elected as the second co-chair. Previously, these positions were held by Kenya and France, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The Intergovernmental Working Group serves as the secretariat of the UN-Habitat Assembly, develops recommendations, coordinates the activities of Member States, and contributes to shaping and accelerating the implementation of global policies aimed at ensuring safe, sustainable, and affordable housing for all.

Azerbaijan’s co-chairmanship is expected to further strengthen the country’s engagement in global urban development processes and advance international solutions for adequate housing. The role will also provide a strategic platform to highlight initiatives and outcomes from the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place in Baku from 17–22 May 2026 under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”

Cooperation between UN-Habitat and Azerbaijan in sustainable urban development and human settlements has steadily expanded in recent years. In addition to hosting WUF13, Azerbaijan is a member of the UN-Habitat Executive Board. Experts from the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and ADA University actively participate in the Working Group preparing the International Guidelines on People-Centered Smart Cities, an initiative launched by UN-Habitat.

In 2023, Baku hosted World Habitat Day organized by UN-Habitat. The agency has also provided support for Azerbaijan’s National Urban Forums held in 2022, 2023, and 2025.

By Vafa Guliyeva