Salukvadze: WUF13 strengthens South Caucasus' role in global urbanization

The 13th Session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13) being held in Baku is of great importance not only for Azerbaijan but for the entire South Caucasus region, Mamuka Salukvadze, director of City Institute Georgia, told Report's Georgian bureau.

City Institute Georgia is one of the first non-governmental organizations established to promote sustainable urban development, spatial planning and improvement of people's quality of life.

According to him, the platform further strengthens the position of countries of the region in global urbanization and sustainable development processes and draws international attention to the South Caucasus.

Salukvadze said major infrastructure projects being implemented in Azerbaijan, the construction of new cities, the application of the smart city concept and the development of transport systems showed that the country was acting as one of the leading players in the region.

He added that the forum was important for Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, as the region faced new challenges and opportunities for cooperation were expanding in areas such as urban planning, climate change and infrastructure development.

Salukvadze said such forums demonstrated the role of the South Caucasus in the global urbanization process at a new level.