BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Azerbaijan has
succeeded in creating synergy between the COP and WUF processes and
in strengthening the role of cities at the center of multilateral
discussions, the country's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said,
Trend reports.


He made the statement at the event “Cities at the Heart of
Connectivity: Urban Reconstruction and Regional Cooperation,” held
in Baku as part of WUF13.


Bayramov recalled that almost two years ago, as the host country
of COP29, Azerbaijan placed urbanization and cities at the center
of the global climate agenda.

''We realized that cities, in addition to being a source of a
significant share of global emissions, are also a key source of
innovation, sustainable development, and solutions to the climate
crisis,'' he added.


The minister emphasized that the future of sustainable
development will largely depend on how successfully we can connect
cities not only physically, but also economically, digitally,
institutionally, and socially:


“Today, cities are no longer just places where people live and
work. They have become strategic platforms for diplomacy,
infrastructure, technology, the fight against climate change, and
regional cooperation,” he concluded.


Meanwhile, 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.