Farhad Hajiyev: Most of world youth to live in urban areas by 2050

In Azerbaijan, youth are seen not merely as observers of development, but as partners in shaping it, Farhad Hajiyev, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, said during the Children and Youth Assembly at the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

He emphasized that the way cities are built for future generations is a crucial topic of discussion:

"More importantly, will young people simply accept the cities we build, or will they actively participate in shaping them? The future of cities will not be decided only in conference rooms. It will also be determined by the generations growing up in today's urban areas."

According to Hajiyev, calculations show that by 2050, the majority of the world's youth will live in urban areas: "This means that the decisions we make today will shape not only the appearance and infrastructure of cities but also the daily realities of millions of people."

"Azerbaijan proves its commitment to sustainable urbanization with concrete actions. In our national housing initiatives, more than 55% of beneficiaries of affordable housing projects are young people under 35."

Touching on reconstruction efforts in Karabakh and East Zangazur, Hajiyev noted that Azerbaijan is not just rebuilding:

"Reconstruction is not only about restoring roads and buildings. It is about rebuilding trust, opportunities, and daily life. Today, Azerbaijan is constructing nine new cities and hundreds of settlements in post‑conflict regions. Behind this effort lies the belief that every community deserves not only to be restored but to thrive. We prioritize green energy, digital innovation, and human‑centered urban planning."