Forums like WUF13 reflect Azerbaijan's global event diplomacy – OPINION

Forums such as the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) demonstrate that Azerbaijan possesses serious experience in global events diplomacy, political scientist Rashad Bayramov told Report.

He noted that the events held within the framework of WUF13, including the Ministerial Meeting organized under Azerbaijan's chairmanship, once again demonstrated that Azerbaijan is becoming not just a regional but a global diplomatic platform: "The fact that the event, attended by more than 57,000 participants from nearly 180 countries, has gone down in history as the largest session of the World Urban Forum can be considered an indicator of Azerbaijan's organizational capabilities and international trust. Such events also hold special significance in terms of demonstrating countries' soft power, political influence, and international governance skills.

In recent years, Azerbaijan has consistently hosted major international events. Forums such as COP29, summit meetings held within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement, international sports competitions, and now WUF13 show that Azerbaijan already possesses serious experience in global events diplomacy. This factor positively impacts Azerbaijan's international image and presents the country as a stable, secure, and organizationally professional partner. Especially during a period of increasing geopolitical tensions, the fact that major international platforms are entrusted to Azerbaijan is considered an important political message."

According to the political scientist, the special emphasis on the leadership of the President of Azerbaijan in the "Chair's Summary" document within the WUF13 is also a noteworthy point. He noted that this is not merely diplomatic courtesy but also an indicator of growing international attention to Azerbaijan's urban planning, sustainable development, and post-conflict reconstruction policies.

"The smart city and smart village projects being implemented in Karabakh and East Zangazur also show that Azerbaijan is striving to present a new model in urbanization and modern urban planning concepts. It is entirely possible that after this event, other countries will show interest in Azerbaijan's experience. Because the successful organization of international events is already considered a separate form of diplomatic capital.

Azerbaijan has accumulated significant experience in terms of security, logistics, digital coordination, and multilateral diplomatic governance. Developing countries and states wishing to increase their activity on international platforms, in particular, may show interest in studying the Baku model. This may also lead to Azerbaijan gaining new cooperation opportunities in the fields of international consulting, event management, and multilateral diplomacy in the future," he stated.

Bayramov added that in the context of relations with the UN, WUF13 can be considered the beginning of a new stage for Azerbaijan: "Azerbaijan has been actively cooperating with UN structures for a long time, and particularly during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, it has become a more visible actor in multilateral diplomacy. Cooperation with UN-Habitat strengthens Azerbaijan's role on international platforms in the areas of sustainable urban planning, urbanization, and reconstruction of post-conflict territories. After WUF13, the probability of Azerbaijan acting as a more active partner within the UN system is also increasing. In the fields of climate, urban planning, reintegration of internally displaced persons, and sustainable development, our country can be a participant and even an initiator of future initiatives. This, in turn, strengthens Azerbaijan's position not just as an energy exporter but as a state that plays an active role in the global development agenda in international politics."