Global leaders invited to shape future of cities in Azerbaijan PHOTO

16 January 2026 19:53

Azerbaijan has extended a global invitation for the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled in Baku from May 17–22, highlighting the country’s commitment to advancing sustainable urban development and fostering international cooperation.

The invitation was announced during a high-level panel discussion on “Addressing the Global Housing Crisis Together” was held on January 15–16 as part of the 35th High-Level Meeting organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre in partnership with the United Nations Office in Geneva, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

According to the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operations Company, the panel featured Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan and WUF13 National Coordinator, alongside Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat),

The event, themed “Reshaping Multilateralism in an Era of Divides and Transformation,” brought together over 50 high-level participants representing more than 30 countries.

The discussions highlighted the urgency of collective action to uphold human rights, international law, and public goods, emphasizing the centrality of adequate housing in sustainable urban development, in line with the UN-Habitat 2026–2029 Strategic Plan. Panelists underscored the importance of translating global commitments into concrete measures and accelerating solutions to ensure safe, affordable, and resilient housing for all.

In his remarks, WUF13 National Coordinator Anar Guliyev stressed that multilateralism remains the most effective approach to tackling global challenges that no single country can address alone, including climate change, rapid urbanization, inequality, and sustainable development. “Cities and human settlements are key spaces where global solutions are transformed into practical action,” he noted.

Guliyev further highlighted Azerbaijan’s strategic position at the crossroads of East and West, North and South, describing its cities and infrastructure as bridges connecting regions and societies. He pointed to large-scale reconstruction and integrated urban development projects in Karabakh and East Zangazur, emphasizing that these initiatives aim not only to rebuild territories but also to foster long-term peace, stability, and regional cooperation.

The National Coordinator extended an invitation to international counterparts to participate in the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum, scheduled in Baku from May 17–22, 2026.

Senior leadership and representatives from prominent organizations, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the World Trade Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, also took part in the meeting.

Organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre in partnership with the UN Office in Geneva, the high-level meeting continues to serve as a pivotal platform for strengthening multilateral cooperation and advancing the global sustainable development agenda.