BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Azerbaijan has spent
nearly $14 billion over the past five years on reconstruction and
development projects in territories liberated from occupation,
Aydin Karimov, the Azerbaijani president’s special representative
for the Shusha district, made the remarks during an event held in
Baku as part of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), Trend reports.


Speaking at a session titled “Post-conflict urban development:
restoration of destroyed identity and reconstruction of an
integrated future,” Karimov said the government is also seeking to
attract private investment to support ongoing rebuilding
efforts.


“We are also working to involve private investments in
reconstruction and development projects. A significant portion of
the figures I mentioned consists of private investments,” he
said.


The WUF13 forum is being held in Baku from May 17 to May 22 as
part of cooperation between the United Nations Human Settlements
Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Azerbaijani government.


The event brings together policymakers, experts, communities and
international partners to discuss major global urban challenges,
including housing and sustainable city development.


Held under the theme “Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable
Cities and Human Settlements,” the forum aims to promote the
exchange of ideas, shape policy approaches and accelerate action
toward sustainable urban development solutions.







Organizers say the program provides a platform for high-level
discussions through practical and solution-oriented sessions, while
also ensuring that global urban policy is informed by local
experience.


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.