Georgian PM lauds Azerbaijan for flawless WUF13 hosting

Azerbaijan successfully hosted the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) at a high level, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said during the WUF13 Leaders’ Summit.

He noted that the forum provides an important platform for exchanging experiences and advancing a common vision for safe and inclusive communities, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

"I would like to express my gratitude to the Republic of Azerbaijan for its hospitality and excellent organization of WUF13 in Baku," the prime minister said.

According to Kobakhidze, cities lie at the heart of nearly all major global challenges, ranging from climate resilience and housing security to sustainable development and social cohesion.

"How we plan, develop, and protect urban spaces will ultimately determine the stability, well-being, and resilience of our societies for generations to come," Kobakhidze noted.

He further stressed that Georgia remains firmly committed to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda.

The prime minister said the country is ready to deepen cooperation with international partners in advancing safe, inclusive, and sustainable communities for both present and future generations.

"Modern urban sustainability requires accessible public services, sustainable mobility, environmentally conscious planning, and policies that improve the quality of life for every community. One of Georgia's most significant recent achievements was the completion of the national cadastre and the full registration of land parcels across the country. This reform strengthened legal certainty, improved the land management system, and created a more transparent framework for economic activity and territorial governance. At the same time, the privatisation of residential properties distributed during the Soviet era was completed. By fully transferring these properties to private ownership, we have established a definitive foundation for urban stability and the protection of private property rights," the prime minister said.

Kobakhidze also highlighted that Georgia’s urban development efforts are closely tied to preserving traditional Georgian architectural heritage: "We are convinced that modernization should not come at the cost of losing history. By integrating elements of traditional architecture into modern urban planning, we strengthen our cultural security, creating cities that honor the past and simultaneously focus on the future."

By Jeyhun Aghazada