BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Climate resilience
and inclusive urbanization are key national priorities for
Azerbaijan, Deputy Head of the State Committee for Urban
Development and Architecture, Gulshan Rzayeva, said during a
dialogue entitled "The Global Housing Crisis: What 's the Plan?"
held as part of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13),
Trend reports


"Climate resilience and inclusive urbanization are key national
priorities for Azerbaijan and are fully integrated into our
national priorities, 'Azerbaijan 2017.' We view urban planning as a
strategic tool for bridging social gaps and managing rapid growth,"
she said.


According to her, one of the most striking examples of the
application of the New Urban Agenda principles is the "Great
Return" program in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan.


"In these territories, which suffered destruction and damage
during the occupation for nearly 30 years, large-scale restoration
and development work is underway.


The principles of the New Urban Agenda and the new approach to
urban planning have truly become the foundation of our projects and
planning activities in these territories. They are built with an
emphasis on sustainability, inclusiveness, and resilience: smart
cities and smart villages, green energy zones, and
climate-sensitive planning have been at the core of this process
from the very beginning," noted Rzayeva.







The third day of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum
(WUF13) is underway in Baku.


On the first day, a ministerial meeting dedicated to the New
Urban Agenda, a roundtable of ministers, assemblies of women and
civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban
well-being were held. A ceremony for raising the flags of the
United Nations and Azerbaijan also took place within the framework
of the forum.


The second day of the forum drew attention with the first-ever
Leaders Summit. High-level discussions on the global housing
crisis, urbanization policy, and urban resilience were held that
day. At the same time, the Mexico City pavilion was inaugurated
within the framework of WUF13. The pavilion was presented as an
important platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin
American region and preparing for WUF14.


WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered
participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held
under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and
communities,” the forum brings together governments, international
organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to
strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban
development.