BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 8. The programme for
partner-led events at the thirteenth session of the World Urban
Forum (WUF13), taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May
2026, is now live, Trend reports via WUF13 Organizing Committee.
It features more than 370 events that reflect the creativity and
commitment of stakeholders worldwide under the theme “Housing the
world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”.
Partner-led events are at the heart of the Forum. These events
bring together a diverse range of stakeholders — from local and
national governments, civil society, academia to the private
sector, grassroots organizations and the United Nations entities —
to share ideas, solutions and lived experiences that will shape the
global urban agenda.
By bringing together global perspectives and local solutions,
these sessions ensure that discussions on sustainable urbanization
are grounded in real-world practice and collaboration, and play a
key role in advancing dialogue, fostering partnerships and
accelerating action towards more sustainable cities. Explore the
full programme
and learn more about each category of events below.
Voices from Cities: local perspectives driving global
change
With more than 50 events, Voices
from Cities highlights the perspectives of local
governments, community leaders and grassroots organizations.
Central to any transformation strategy for cities and communities
is the meaningful participation of those closest to urban
realities. These sessions aim to foster city-to-city collaboration
and bring forward first-hand experiences of urban challenges and
solutions, amplifying the voices of those shaping cities on the
ground.
One UN: advancing global commitments through urban
action
One
UN events showcase how United Nations entities are
advancing sustainable urbanization across regions and contexts.
Featuring more than 30 sessions, this category connects global
agendas with local implementation, highlighting coordinated
approaches that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and
the New Urban Agenda, and reinforcing cities and human settlements
as central to achieving inclusive and sustainable development
worldwide.
SDGs in Action: from commitments to
implementation
With more than 30 events, SDGs in
Action focuses on translating global commitments into
tangible results. Building on the momentum of the 2030 Agenda,
these sessions showcase collaborative approaches across key
domains, including society, economy, environment, culture and
governance, to drive scalable and impactful solutions for
sustainable urban development.
Networking Events: building connections for future
partnerships
With more than 170 events, Networking
Events offer participants the opportunity to connect
with global leaders, practitioners and innovators in the field of
sustainable urbanization.
These sessions create space to exchange ideas, share best practices
and lay the groundwork for future collaborations that will advance
the localization of the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda.
WUF Academy: building knowledge and capacity for
sustainable urban futures
What skills, knowledge and tools are needed to create more
inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities? The new WUF
Academy will provide a platform with more than 30
opportunities for practitioners, universities and experts to
strengthen capacities and accelerate progress towards sustainable
urbanization.
Urban Library and Urban Cinema: knowledge and
storytelling for urban transformation
Featuring more than 30 events, the Urban
Library provides a space for participants to engage
with the latest research, publications and evidence on urban
development. Through presentations and discussions, these sessions
promote knowledge exchange and informed debate, supporting more
effective and inclusive urban policies and practices.
Bringing storytelling to the forefront of urban dialogue,
Urban
Cinema showcases 15 short films that explore housing
and urbanization challenges from diverse perspectives. These
sessions combine screenings with discussions, creating a unique
space to reflect on the cultural and human dimensions of cities
while sparking conversations around housing and human
settlements.
Explore the full
programme and discover how you can engage in WUF13.
