Baku to host first-ever Leaders’ Summit at WUF13

Azerbaijan will host a Leaders’ Summit for the first time in the history of the World Urban Forum (WUF) during its 13th session in Baku in 2026.

Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture, announced the event, following a briefing at the United Nations Office in Geneva dedicated to the upcoming forum.

Guliyev, writing on his X account, stated that he and his delegation met with representatives of around 100 accredited diplomatic missions in Geneva, per local media.

He underscored that “WUF13Azerbaijan” is set to become a global platform for the joint development of solutions involving governments, cities, international organisations, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

“For the first time in the history of the World Urban Forum, a leaders’ summit will be held,” Guliyev noted. “This reflects our position that issues of housing development and urban planning require leadership at the highest political level. We invite all countries and international partners to participate actively in WUF13 and look forward to welcoming delegations to Baku.”

WUF13 will take place in the Azerbaijani capital on May 17-22, 2026. The forum is being organised in cooperation with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Government of Azerbaijan, and will bring together representatives from national and local governments, the private sector, civil society, youth networks, academic institutions, and international organisations worldwide.

By Tamilla Hasanova