UN-Habitat official praises scale, organisation of WUF13 in Baku

The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku has become one of the largest urban forums in terms of participation and organisation, said Anna Soave, head of the UN-Habitat programme in Azerbaijan.

Soave said the event had brought together both first-time participants unfamiliar with the WUF format and experts who had attended previous editions of the forum, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“I am very proud to be here today. I see many smiling people I have known for a long time, as well as new participants who have come to the forum for the first time,” she said.

Soave highlighted the forum’s open format, which allows participants to move freely between pavilions, partner zones and thematic sessions.

According to the UN-Habitat representative, the structure creates the atmosphere of a “city within a city.”

She also highly praised the exhibition component of the forum.

“The exhibition is fantastic. Many people tell me it is even better than COP29,” Soave added.

By Vafa Guliyeva