WUF13 set to bring together 23,350 registered participants from 175 countries

A total of 23,350 participants from 175 countries have registered for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) to be held in Baku, Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and National Coordinator of WUF13, stated.

Speaking at an April 29 event in Baku titled “Entrepreneurship development means a strong economy,” he added that 13.3% of those registered were representatives of business entities, marking the highest share in the history of the World Urban Forum, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Guliyev stressed that reforms in urban development are not limited to infrastructure projects. 

“It is also an important mechanism for stimulating economic growth, increasing employment, and developing innovation. Entrepreneurs are the main driving force of this process. I am confident that as a result of effective cooperation between the state and the private sector, Azerbaijani cities will become the most modern, sustainable, and competitive urban centres in the region,” he said.

The 13th World Urban Forum, organised by UN-Habitat and held biennially, serves as the United Nations’ leading global platform on cities and urban development. This year’s edition will be hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking the first time the event takes place in the Caucasus region.

Under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” the forum will address the global housing crisis while promoting sustainable urban development. It is expected to gather thousands of participants, including government officials, mayors, urban planners, private sector representatives, and civil society organisations.

The programme will include high-level dialogues, technical sessions, an Urban Expo, networking opportunities, and policy discussions focused on key challenges such as housing shortages, climate resilience, and urban inequality. The forum also contributes to shaping global urban policy and advancing the implementation of the UN New Urban Agenda.

Overall, WUF13 is set to position Baku as a major international hub for dialogue on the future of cities and sustainable urban development.

By Jeyhun Aghazada