WUF13 in Baku to spotlight global push for sustainable, resilient cities

ISLAMABAD, Apr 30 (APP/AZERTAC):The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to be held in Baku from May 17 to 22, 2026, is set to serve as a major global platform to address the pressing challenges of rapid urbanization, climate change, and sustainable development.

According to Azertac, organized under the auspices of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the World Urban Forum is one of the most significant international gatherings focusing on urban issues, bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across the world.

The forum, established by the United Nations in 2001, aims to examine the impact of rapid urban growth on societies, economies, and the environment. Since its inaugural session in Nairobi in 2002, it has evolved into a key platform for dialogue on building inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.

This year’s theme, “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” underscores the urgent need to ensure adequate housing, improved infrastructure, and sustainable urban planning in the face of growing global urban populations.

With more than half of the world’s population already residing in urban areas, a figure expected to rise significantly by 2050, cities are increasingly facing challenges such as poverty, inequality, housing shortages, environmental degradation, and pressure on public services.

Urban development has been recognized as a central pillar of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11, which seeks to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by 2030. The goal emphasizes access to affordable housing, efficient transport systems, environmental protection, and improved urban planning.

The forum will also highlight the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, adopted in 2016 in Quito, Ecuador, which provides a global framework for sustainable urban development and guides countries in addressing climate change, disaster resilience, and urban governance.

Hosting WUF13 reflects Azerbaijan’s growing role in global urban development and sustainability initiatives. The country signed a Host Country Agreement with the United Nations in December 2023, later approved by President Ilham Aliyev in March 2024.

The event is expected to attract high-level government representatives, international organizations, urban planners, and development experts, offering a platform for knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and forging new partnerships.

Experts believe that WUF13 will not only showcase Azerbaijan’s urban development achievements but also contribute to advancing global cooperation in tackling urban challenges and promoting sustainable, livable cities for future generations.