Azerbaijani president inspects final preparations for UN-backed WUF13 forum PHOTO / UPDATED

On May 12, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), themed “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” which will be held on May 17-22 in the area surrounding the Baku Olympic Stadium.

Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, Anar Guliyev and Executive Director of the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operating Company, Adil Mammadov, briefed the head of state on the work carried out, Caliber.Az reports via state media.

It was noted that the event venue, including the operational area formed around the Baku Olympic Stadium, covers a total of 53 hectares. Of this, 43 hectares have been designated as the main event area, while 10 hectares have been allocated for the main transport terminal and park-and-transfer zone. Registration, session, exhibition, media, transportation, technical support, volunteer coordination, and venue services have all been organised as part of a unified operational system.

Special zones have been designated for high-level guests and official delegations. These areas include facilities for receiving state and government representatives, holding bilateral meetings, as well as lounge and catering services.

The event hall, where the opening and closing ceremonies will take place, will be capable of accommodating up to 6,000 participants. The current level of preparedness makes it possible to effectively manage the expected high flow of participants, numerous parallel events, and the reception of international delegations. The zone designated for the forum’s main discussions and parallel events covers 3.55 hectares and includes conference halls, thematic sessions, UN events, side meetings, and bilateral negotiations. The venue is equipped to host various official and business meetings simultaneously.

During the forum, around 300 parallel sessions, meetings, and events are planned daily.

Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in the six official UN languages — Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish — as well as in Azerbaijani and Turkish. In addition, international sign language services will be available for persons with disabilities.

More than 35 catering outlets have been planned across the entire event area. Located both indoors and in open-air zones, these facilities will help distribute participant flows across different directions and ensure accessible services throughout the venue.

A separate zone covering two hectares includes the “Media Centre” as well as “Round Table”, “Special Session”, and “Dialogue Halls”. The “Media Centre” features workspaces, live broadcast and interview rooms, a press conference hall, TV studios, and a media lounge area. The total capacity of the “Media Centre” is 600 people, while up to 400 media representatives will be able to work there simultaneously.

A recreation area has also been established on the premises. The zone’s overall visual and architectural concept incorporates elements inspired by Icherisheher, along with ornaments associated with traditional Azerbaijani carpet weaving.

An open-air WUF13 Boulevard has been created for forum participants. Covering 2.5 hectares, the area is designed to allow participants to move freely, relax, use catering services, and experience the atmosphere of an urban environment within the event venue. The boulevard area also serves as a transition point to the “Expo Zone” and functions as an open public space.

The “Urban Expo Zone” covers 3.5 hectares. Exhibition areas have been allocated for country pavilions, international organisations, government institutions, local and regional authorities, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, foundations, and educational and research institutions. In total, 121 pavilions are planned, including 41 country pavilions.

The forum’s official ceremonial components have also been given special consideration in the overall layout of the venue. A flag square has been prepared for official ceremonies and has been surrounded by motifs inspired by fortress walls to create the atmosphere of a historic city environment.

An additional 10-hectare zone encompassing transport terminal and park-and-transfer functions has been integrated into the overall operational area. This zone will manage bus and taxi services, parking facilities, and the coordination of participant access to the venue. City-wide transport interchange hubs, electric buses, taxi services, and airport transfers have all been incorporated into the event’s overall transportation plan.

The registration area has the capacity to serve 70 people simultaneously and up to 1,000 people per hour. Separate accreditation and registration desks have been arranged for persons with disabilities. Registration operations have been established by the Azerbaijani operational team in line with the event’s requirements and adapted to ensure the phased management of participant flows.

To guarantee uninterrupted internet connectivity, broadcasting, and digital operations throughout the event, primary and backup data centres, extensive fibre-optic and internal network infrastructure, wireless network equipment, and a continuously operating command centre have been established.

It should be noted that WUF13, jointly organised by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the Government of Azerbaijan, will once again draw global attention to the country. To date, 32,225 participants from 180 countries have registered, already making it a record-breaking event in the history of the World Urban Forum.

At this important event, Azerbaijan will present to the international community its unprecedented reconstruction and urban development model implemented in Karabakh and East Zangezur, as well as the “smart city” and “smart village” concepts introduced in the liberated territories and the efforts undertaken to transform these regions into a “green energy zone,” showcasing them as advanced examples of modern urbanisation and ecological restoration.

It should also be noted that WUF13 holds particular significance as it will, for the first time in the forum’s history, include a Leaders’ Summit segment in its programme.