Azerbaijan invites Gulf Cooperation Council leader to pivotal urban forum

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, has been formally invited to participate in the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place in Baku in 2026.

The invitation was conveyed through a letter from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, delivered by Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Shahin Abdullayev, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

During the meeting, discussions extended beyond the invitation to encompass the broader relationship between Azerbaijan and the Persian Gulf countries. Both parties explored opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation, focusing on economic, cultural, and strategic partnerships.

Additionally, international and regional developments were reviewed, reflecting mutual interests in fostering stability and growth in their respective regions.

The upcoming WUF13 aims to raise awareness of sustainable urbanization, improve knowledge and exchange of best practices and policies on sustainable urban development, and increase coordination and cooperation to advance and implement sustainable urbanization.

The UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) will co-organize the Forum with the Government of Azerbaijan. The Forum will bring together national ministers, mayors, UN representatives, academia, civil society, grassroots groups, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and other stakeholders.

The UN established the WUF in 2001 to examine the pressing issue of rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, and economies in light of climate change and other challenges. The forum is a non-legislative platform and one of the most inclusive international gatherings on urban issues.

By Vafa Guliyeva