Future cities depend on youth, says Azerbaijani deputy minister

In Azerbaijan, young people are regarded not only as observers of development but as active partners in shaping it, Farhad Hajiyev, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, stated.

At the Children and Youth Assembly held as part of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, he highlighted that the design of cities for future generations remains a key subject of discussion, stressing the role of youth in this process, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"More importantly, will young people simply accept the cities we build, or will they actively participate in shaping them? The future of cities will not be decided only in conference rooms. It will also be determined by the generations growing up in today's urban areas," he said.

Hajiyev noted that demographic projections indicate that by 2050, most young people worldwide will live in urban environments: "This means that the decisions we make today will shape not only the appearance and infrastructure of cities but also the daily realities of millions of people."

He further underlined Azerbaijan’s commitment to sustainable urban development through practical measures: "Azerbaijan proves its commitment to sustainable urbanization with concrete actions. In our national housing initiatives, more than 55% of beneficiaries of affordable housing projects are young people under 35."

Speaking about reconstruction efforts in Karabakh and East Zangazur, Hajiyev stressed that Azerbaijan’s approach goes beyond physical rebuilding:

"Reconstruction is not only about restoring roads and buildings. It is about rebuilding trust, opportunities, and daily life. Today, Azerbaijan is constructing nine new cities and hundreds of settlements in post-conflict regions. Behind this effort lies the belief that every community deserves not only to be restored but to thrive. We prioritize green energy, digital innovation, and human-centered urban planning."

By Jeyhun Aghazada