Baku Initiative Group highlights colonial legacy, urban housing crisis at WUF13

The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) says it is implementing a range of international projects focused on addressing the consequences of colonial and neocolonial policies.

Speaking to Report on the sidelines of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, BIG Executive Director Abbas Abbasov said similar initiatives have been underway since 2019.

“Today, our event, which takes place within the framework of the World Urbanization Forum, is dedicated to colonial injustice and the housing crisis. We prepare and present reports on the situation created by colonial policies in various fields on the agenda of international organisations, and we will continue this activity in the future. Our event tomorrow is dedicated to the role of youth in urbanisation,” Abbasov said.

He added that the organisation is currently preparing for upcoming initiatives, including the first official meeting of the Global South Youth Platform, which is expected to be held in Baku in the near future.

“Currently, the main attention is focused on the preparation of these two events. When the world community mainly talks about colonial and neocolonial policies, it focuses more on political consequences and crises. However, colonialism has economic, cultural, religious and environmental damages. The housing crisis mentioned in the context of urbanization is one of the main elements that creates these consequences,” he noted.

According to Abbasov, the group’s work aims to broaden international discussions on the long-term social and economic impacts of colonial history, particularly in relation to urban development and housing challenges.

By Sabina Mammadli