Volunteers are key to smart cities, UN coordinator says in Baku

When talking about urbanization and the digitalization of the spaces we live in, the human factor cannot be forgotten, Zarina Mirabdullayeva, Regional Coordinator for Europe and Central Asia of the United Nations Volunteers Programme, told journalists at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in World Urban Forum 13, Report informs.

She noted that volunteers are often the first point of contact for people at events, institutions, and public spaces, making them a vital link between communities and the cities they live in. According to her, this role becomes even more important as cities advance through innovation, digitalization, and modernization.

Mirabdullayeva added that her participation in the forum aimed to highlight volunteerism and engage directly with volunteers, underlining that they are a foundational element in building inclusive and people-centered cities.