Azerbaijan invites Yemen's leader to 2026 UN World Urban Forum in Baku

Azerbaijani wuf13President Ilham Aliyev has extended an official invitation to Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, to attend the opening ceremony of the 13th United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13), which will be held in Baku.

According to local press, citing the Yemeni newspaper Al-Ayyam, the invitation was delivered by Azerbaijani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Shahin Abdullayev during his meeting with Yemen’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Shayea al-Zindani.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed developments in the Middle East. Al-Alimi, representing Yemen’s internationally recognised government, outlined the continuing obstacles to peace, pointing in particular to the persistent attacks by the Houthi movement, which threaten not only Yemen’s internal stability but also regional security and international maritime navigation.

Ambassador Abdullayev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s desire to enhance bilateral relations with Yemen and emphasised Baku’s support for efforts to restore peace and stability in the war-torn country.

Baku is set to host the 13th session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13) from May 17 to May 22, 2026. The central theme of WUF13 is “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” as stated by UN-Habitat.

The decision to award hosting rights to Baku was based on Azerbaijan’s notable achievements in urban planning and its commitment to sustainable urban development, according to the country’s State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture. The forum will provide a global platform for discussion on urgent urban challenges, sharing of innovative practices, and fostering international cooperation for sustainable urbanisation, according to the SDG Knowledge Hub.

Established in 2001 by UN-Habitat, the World Urban Forum aims to address the impacts of rapid urbanisation on cities, societies, and economies. WUF13 in Baku is anticipated to be one of the largest international gatherings on urban development, drawing participants from governments, urban experts, academia, civil society, and the private sector.

By Tamilla Hasanova