BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. A delegation led by
Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning
and Architecture and National Coordinator of the 13th session of
the World Urban Forum (WUF13), is participating in the Second
Africa Urban Forum (AUF2) held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya,
Trend reports.


Within the framework of the Forum, the Azerbaijani delegation is
taking part in high-level sessions and meetings.


Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman Anar Guliyev stated
that Azerbaijan considers affordable housing and sustainable urban
development among the key priorities of the global agenda and
continues its activities in these areas consistently, based on both
international cooperation and national experience. In this context,
it was once again brought to the attention of the international
audience that WUF13, to be held in Baku on May 17–22 this year,
will serve as an important platform for continuing global
dialogue.


As part of the Forum, Anar Guliyev also participated in the
Ministerial Session titled “Innovative financing for housing and
urban development: public-private partnerships.” Acting as co-chair
of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the “Affordable Housing
for All” resolution, he delivered a Joint Statement on behalf of
Azerbaijan and Somalia. During his speech, he emphasized the
importance of strengthening public-private partnerships, developing
climate and blended financing mechanisms, and implementing
sustainable models that ensure housing accessibility.


At a side event of the “Open-ended Working Group on Adequate
Housing,” Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent
Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi, Sultan
Hajiyev, highlighted Azerbaijan’s approaches in the fields of urban
agenda and climate policy. He noted that Azerbaijan, which hosted
COP29, is expanding new opportunities for cooperation in combating
climate change while benefiting from existing partnerships, and
that this direction will be one of the main priorities within
WUF13.


The development of bilateral cooperation is also in focus at the
event. In this regard, a number of productive meetings have already
been held by the committee chairman with leaders of African
countries and regional organizations. Meetings were held with
African Union Commissioner Moses Vilakati; Kenya’s Cabinet
Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development
Alice Wahome; Zimbabwe’s Minister of Local Government and Public
Works Daniel Garwe; Tanzania’s Minister for Lands, Housing and
Human Settlements Development Leonard Douglas Akwilapo; Somalia’s
Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing Said Mohamed
M.Haid; Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure Jean de Dieu
Uvihanganye; Cameroon’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development
Célestine Ketcha Courtes; Ethiopia’s Minister of Urban and
Infrastructure Development Chaltu Sani; Mayor of Dar es Salaam City
Council Nurdin Bilal Juma; Governor of Nairobi County Johnson
Sakaja; Vice Chair of Kenya’s Parliamentary Committee on Housing,
Urban Planning and Public Works Rindikiri Mugambi Murwithania; CEO
of Shelter Afrique Development Bank Thierno-Habib Hann; CEO of
Equity Bank (Kenya) Limited Moses Nyabanda, and other
representatives. During these meetings, the positive dynamics of
cooperation between Azerbaijan and African countries were noted,
and views were exchanged on expanding collaboration in sustainable
urban development, housing policy, and relevant institutions.







Within the framework of the visit, another working meeting was
also held between Anar Guliyev and the Executive Director of the
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Anacláudia
Rossbach, during which preparations for WUF13 in Baku were
discussed. It was noted that the registration of more than 16,000
participants clearly demonstrates the high level of international
interest in the event.


Thus, it can be noted that the participation of the Azerbaijani
delegation in the Second Africa Urban Forum creates a solid
foundation for attracting international partners to WUF13, which
will be held in the capital next month.


It should be noted that the Africa Urban Forum is one of the key
continental platforms on urban development and urbanization,
bringing together leaders and experts shaping the future of
sustainable cities. The Forum was established on the initiative of
the African Union and the United Nations Human Settlements
Programme (UN-Habitat) to manage rapid urbanization processes in
African countries in a more planned, inclusive, and sustainable
manner, and aims to form a unified urban agenda for the continent.
Its main objectives include developing sustainable urban planning
policies in Africa, expanding access to adequate and affordable
housing, promoting economic development and employment in cities,
creating urban models adapted to climate change and environmental
challenges, and increasing inclusivity and equality in urban
governance. The overall goal of AUF is to transform African cities
into more sustainable and economically strong centers.


AUF is conceived as the regional equivalent of the World Urban
Forum (WUF) held at the global level. It should be noted that the
first Africa Urban Forum was hosted by Addis Ababa, the capital of
Ethiopia, in 2024.


The participation of Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto, along
with heads of numerous governments and international organizations,
at the opening of this year’s forum—which has attracted more than
10,000 participants—is an important indicator of the relevance and
prominence of the issues discussed at the event.