BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. The event titled
"High-Level Energy and Urban Dialogue of D-8 Countries" took place
within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum
(WUF13) hosted in Baku, Trend reports.
Anar Guliyev, National Coordinator of the World Urban Forum
(WUF13) and Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and
Architecture; Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy; and Ambassador
Sohail Mahmood, Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for
Economic Cooperation, attended and delivered speeches along with
high-ranking officials from various countries.
The speakers noted that Azerbaijan's successful hosting of WUF13
stands as one of the country's next significant international
achievements following COP29, demonstrating Azerbaijan's growing
role in the global urban planning, climate, and sustainable
development agendas.
During the event, topical issues related to urbanization, energy
security, climate change, green energy transition, and sustainable
urban development underwent extensive discussion.
Participants pointed out that since cities currently generate
the largest share of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions, aligning energy policies with urban planning strategies
holds special importance. In this regard, the development of green
cities, energy-efficient buildings, smart transport systems, and
renewable energy infrastructure received evaluation as primary
priorities.
The addressing officials also touched upon the projects
implemented within the scope of Azerbaijan's green energy strategy
and sustainable urban development.
In particular, they emphasized that the reconstruction and
restoration work carried out in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur
undergoes execution based on "green energy zone" and "smart city"
concepts. Speakers noted that large-scale projects covering
renewable energy sources, digital management systems, eco-friendly
transport infrastructure, and the creation of energy-efficient
settlements face active implementation in those areas.
The importance of strengthening cooperation among D-8 countries
in the areas of energy efficiency, clean technologies, sustainable
housing policies, and climate resilience was also noted at the
event. Attending officials highlighted that the planned D-8 Energy
and Climate Center in Baku could serve as an important platform for
regional cooperation and expertise exchange.
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.
