WUF13 in Baku adds to list of leading international events in sustainable urban development

The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Baku under the auspices of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), has been recognized as one of the most significant international events in recent years in the field of sustainable urban development.

According to Report, the forum, which brought together more than 57,000 participants from 176 countries, once again demonstrated Azerbaijan's growing role as a global platform for dialogue and cooperation.

By hosting this prestigious event for the first time, Azerbaijan turned Baku into an international hub for discussions on the future of cities, housing policy, climate resilience, and inclusive development. In this context, WUF13 in Baku is viewed as a landmark event not only for the region, but also for the broader global urbanization agenda.

Within the framework of the forum, held under the theme "Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements," one of the central topics of discussion was the housing crisis - one of the most pressing global challenges. According to UN estimates, around 2.8 billion people worldwide currently live in inadequate housing conditions. As such, WUF13 served as an important platform for discussing practical solutions and shaping new approaches to sustainable urban development.

The main outcome of the forum was the adoption of the Baku Call to Action. The document reflects the shared vision of states, international organizations, cities, civil society, and experts on addressing the global housing crisis and implementing the New Urban Agenda.

The document places particular emphasis on the need to move from declarations to concrete action. Among the key priorities identified are strengthening international cooperation and expanding climate financing. It also highlights the importance of integrating housing policy with infrastructure, transport, social protection, environmental sustainability, and economic development.

During the ministerial meeting on the New Urban Agenda, participants stated that, ten years after the agenda's adoption in Quito, the international community is entering a decisive phase of its implementation. The meeting underscored that housing is not merely a matter of construction, but also a foundation for social justice, human dignity, resilience, and economic opportunity.

At the same time, the forum was important in terms of international recognition of Azerbaijan's policies in sustainable development, urban modernization, and post-conflict recovery. Participants highly praised the reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories, modern urban solutions, and approaches to sustainable territorial development.

One of the initiatives that attracted particular attention during WUF13 was the Smart and Sustainable Settlements for Safe Return (4SRP) project, developed by Azerbaijan jointly with UN-Habitat, the International Organization for Migration, and the Baku Climate and Peace Action Center. The initiative aims to ensure safe and sustainable return while developing international standards for post-conflict recovery based on the principles of environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, and peacebuilding.

Thus, WUF13 once again confirmed Baku's role as an important global platform for dialogue, bringing together states, cities, and international organizations around the shared goal of building inclusive, safe, and livable cities.

The outcomes of the forum and the Baku Call to Action are expected to make an important contribution to the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on the midterm review of the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, scheduled to take place in July 2026 in New York.

Overall, hosting WUF13 in Baku is seen as further confirmation of Azerbaijan's growing role in shaping the global agenda in the areas of sustainable development, climate resilience, and international cooperation.

Special emphasis was placed on the far-sighted policies and strategic leadership of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in the fields of sustainable development, modern urban planning, post-conflict recovery, and global cooperation.

At the same time, the Government of Azerbaijan was commended for the high level of organization of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, its hospitality, and the effective atmosphere created for dialogue.

In addition, the Chair Summary document prepared following the ministerial meeting particularly emphasized the need to strengthen international cooperation in the areas of urban resilience, affordable housing policy, climate adaptation, and inclusive urban development. The document notes that the discussions held in Baku during WUF13 made an important contribution to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and to advancing practical measures aimed at addressing the global housing crisis.