More Than 160 Events Mark Third Day of WUF13

Discussions on urban development, climate-resilient urbanisation and sustainable development continued in Baku on 19 May as part of the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).

More than 160 events, including a wide range of dialogues, special sessions and group meetings, were organised throughout the third day of WUF13.

At Azerbaijan’s initiative, the World Urban Forum (WUF) hosted, for the first time in its history, a special event under the theme NGO Forum: Global Partnerships and Decision-Making.

Organised by the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organisations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the event brought together Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat); Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration; alongside representatives of international organisations and civil society.

Discussions during the event focused on the role of civil society in inclusive urban planning, sustainable urbanisation, global housing challenges, multilateral cooperation and decision-making processes.

Speaking during the NGO Forum, Hikmet Hajiyev highlighted rapid urbanisation, population growth and climate change among the principal global challenges confronting cities today. He noted that Azerbaijan is also confronting the growing impact of climate change and underscored the vital role of international cooperation and multilateral platforms in responding to these challenges.

The Forum also featured a panel session titled “Housing at the Centre of Global Coalitions”, attended by Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration.
 

In his remarks, Hikmet Hajiyev stated that as a result of the occupation, nine Azerbaijani cities had been almost entirely destroyed, while more than 300 towns and villages sustained extensive damage. He noted that despite the severe challenges posed by landmine contamination, Karabakh is currently being rebuilt on the basis of contemporary urban development approaches.

The Presidential Assistant further underlined that the presence of approximately 1.5 million landmines and other explosive devices continues to pose significant security risks, making large-scale demining operations critically important for post-conflict recovery, reconstruction and the establishment of safe living conditions.

As part of the Forum programme, Azerbaijan presented a new model for sustainable recovery and regional connectivity at WUF13. A special session titled “Cities at the Heart of Connectivity: Urban Reconstruction and Regional Cooperation” was organised by the Government of Azerbaijan.

Speakers at the session included Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy; Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy; Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport; and Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and National Coordinator of WUF13.

During the session, representatives of the Azerbaijani Government presented the country’s approaches to the reconstruction of the liberated territories, the development of modern infrastructure, green energy and regional connectivity to the international community. Azerbaijan also showcased a new regional development model centred on long-term resilience, economic transformation and the cities of the future through the integration of transport corridors, digital infrastructure and sustainable urban development.

As part of the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), the Azerbaijan Pavilion hosted the High-Level Energy and Urban Dialogue of the Developing-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8) on 19 May 2026 under the theme “Powering Sustainable Cities in the D-8 Region: Aligning Energy Transitions with Urban Development Agendas”.

The event brought together ministers, deputy ministers, senior government officials, mayors, international experts and representatives of international organisations from all eight D-8 member states, underscoring the Organisation’s growing role as a platform for advancing coordinated responses to urbanisation, climate change, energy and sustainable development challenges across the Global South.

It was also noted that following Azerbaijan’s accession to the D-8, the country has advanced a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening practical cooperation within the framework of the Organisation. These include proposals to establish the D-8 Energy and Climate Centre, the D-8 Transport Excellence Centre and the D-8 Media Excellence Centre in Baku.

Opening remarks at the event were delivered by Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and National Coordinator of WUF13; Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Sohail Mahmood, Secretary General of the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation; Dr Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Property Advisor at PETRONAS and former Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

At the same time, a session titled “One UN for Adequate Housing and Sustainable Communities: Delivering the Sustainable Development Goals through Housing and Urban Solutions” focused on aligning the New Urban Agenda with United Nations system-wide efforts contributing to the UN mandate and the Sustainable Development Goals through housing and urban solutions.

Addressing the event, Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, noted that the housing crisis is not an issue that any single country, institution or actor can resolve alone. He also stressed the important role of the United Nations system in coordinating efforts among member states and other stakeholders, as well as in advancing sustainable housing, resilient communities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

A session titled “Peace-Positive Climate Action through Urban Solutions in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings” was also held on 19 May. In a message addressed to the event, Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), highlighted the important role of inclusive and climate-resilient urban solutions in strengthening peace and social resilience. Discussions during the session focused on climate change, involuntary migration, early warning systems and the integration of vulnerable communities into decision-making processes. 

The Azerbaijan pavilion at WUF13’s Urban Expo also hosted the High-Level Urban Dialogue of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS). Speakers at the session included Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and National Coordinator of WUF13; Rakhimzhan Isakov, Vice Minister of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan; Erfan Ali, Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat); and Kubanychbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organisation of Turkic States.

Discussions focused on sustainable urban development, regional cooperation, climate-resilient urbanisation and ongoing initiatives supporting urban development across the Turkic world. The session also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of urban and territorial planning among member states.

The dialogue also featured the signing of a twinning memorandum between the Azerbaijani city of Shusha and the Turkish city of Trabzon. The document was signed by Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district, and Ahmet Metin Genç, Mayor of Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality.

The Azerbaijan Pavilion also hosted a session titled “Post-Conflict Urban Development: Restoring Destroyed Identity and Rebuilding an Integrated Future”. Speakers at the event included Elchin Yusubov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the city of Khankendi and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, and Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha district.

Discussions focused on reconstruction and recovery efforts in the liberated territories, infrastructure projects, the return of displaced residents to their hometowns, and the region’s integrated development trajectory.

A dialogue titled “The Global Housing Crisis: What’s the Plan?” was also held as part of the Forum.

Leaders and experts exchanged views on practical solutions aimed at improving access to adequate housing for all. Organised in an interactive format, the session also provided participants with an opportunity to share their views and contribute to the discussion.

During the dialogue, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach outlined five key priorities for addressing the global housing crisis: developing integrated policy frameworks; promoting approaches that extend beyond the construction of new housing alone; strengthening land governance and security of tenure; expanding alternative financing mechanisms beyond traditional mortgage systems; and advancing climate and housing agendas in parallel.

Attention also turned to the dialogue “The Social and Economic Power of Housing: How Housing Can Drive Prosperity While Advancing Equity for All”.

Speaking at the event, Vahid Hajiyev, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts, highlighted post-conflict reconstruction efforts, social inclusion and the implementation of “smart city” and “smart village” approaches in the liberated territories.

The discussions further explored the role of housing in stimulating economic development and enhancing public wellbeing.

As part of the Forum, a press conference titled “Launch of the Future of Cities Partnership” was held with the participation of Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

Discussions during the briefing focused on inclusive, sustainable and digital approaches to urbanisation, the role of cities in addressing global challenges, and the importance of international cooperation in advancing the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 

In addition, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) unveiled its World Cities Report 2026, highlighting the increasingly multidimensional nature of the global housing crisis amid demographic shifts, environmental pressures and changing economic conditions.

The third day of the Forum also featured a series of regional and thematic caucus meetings. Representatives of the Arab States, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, women, children and youth, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities caucuses exchanged views on a range of global challenges, including housing accessibility, demographic change, climate risks and infrastructure gaps.

WUF13 also hosted a wide range of events across the WUF Academy, Voices from Cities, SDG in Action, Urban Cinema, Urban Library, the UN-Habitat Arena, the Practices Hub, and the Business and Innovation Hub.