Another example of President Ilham Aliyev's leadership: Global urban agenda being shaped in Baku - OPINION

The World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Baku, once again demonstrated Azerbaijan's international standing, its strategic vision, and its growing role in global processes, Azerbaijani MP Fatma Yildirim told Report.

The MP noted that the forum, which brought together over 57,000 participants from 176 countries, was remembered as one of the most ambitious platforms in the history of urbanization – both in terms of the number of participants, the breadth of topics discussed, and the scope of international cooperation.

According to her, WUF13, the biggest international event held in the country since COP29, demonstrated that Azerbaijan is no longer limited to its status as a regional hub.

She noted that the country has become one of the key political and humanitarian platforms shaping the global agenda:

"Today, Baku is not only an important geographic space at the intersection of East and West, but also a respected capital city that promotes international solidarity, multilateral cooperation, and strategic partnership.

This success is underpinned by the far-sighted and principled public policy of President Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijan's increased role in international relations in recent years, the high prestige our country has acquired as a reliable partner, and achievements in energy security, transport, humanitarian diplomacy, and sustainable development are precisely the result of the head of state's decisive policies.

The modern urban development policy pursued under the president's leadership is already generating particular interest on international platforms. The smart city and smart village concepts applied in the liberated territories are cited as among the most successful examples of a modern urban approach. The large-scale construction process underway in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur has become a practical embodiment of a sustainable development model in the post-conflict period."

Fatma Yildirim emphasized that hosting the forum in Baku reflects Azerbaijan's contribution to international urban development processes, effective cooperation with UN institutions, and the high level of trust placed in our country: "WUF13 once again demonstrated the professional management model and high organizational potential Azerbaijan has developed in hosting global events. I believe the results of WUF13 demonstrate that Baku has already become a leading platform in the global urban dialogue. At the same time, the urban planning approaches and sustainable development model presented by Azerbaijan have received high praise at the international level."