The first information sessions held on partner-led events within WUF13

On January 19, the first information sessions were held for private sector representatives, academia, and researchers regarding the Thirteenth Session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place in Baku this year.

The sessions commenced with a video message by Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Following the address, representatives of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, UN-Habitat, and the WUF13 Azerbaijan Operations Company delivered presentations.

Representatives from diverse sectors were encouraged to engage in partner-led events, briefed on the organization of activities across seven thematic directions and provided with the opportunity to raise questions.

In line with the main theme of WUF13 - “Housing for All: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities” – partners were invited to organize events in a variety of categories, including Networking events, One UN, SDGs in action, Urban Cinema, Urban Library, Voices from cities, and WUF Academy.

During the sessions, an overview presentation of WUF13 along with detailed information on participation opportunities was delivered to nearly 100 participants representing business, academic circles, researchers, and their networks.

These online sessions brought together representatives from Baku, the regions, and international participants as part of a series of stakeholder-engagement events. The main objective was to promote national representation and participation, as well as to facilitate effective exchange of experience and information.

Registration is now open for partner-led events to be organized within WUF13, scheduled to take place in Baku from May 17–22, 2026. Applications must be submitted by January 29, 2026.

For registration and further information on organizing events, interested parties may contact unhabitat-events@un.org.