The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku continues to remain in the focus of global media.
News agencies, television channels, print media, and online news platforms in many countries covered the opening ceremony of WUF13, informing millions of viewers about the significance of the forum’s agenda with the participation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, Caliber.Az reports via state media.
Several television channels also broadcast the opening ceremony of WUF13 live.
Numerous news publications highlighted excerpts from the Azerbaijani leader’s speech.
Attention was drawn to President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks on Azerbaijan’s rapid urban development, the restoration of Karabakh and East Zangazur, and the Great Return state program.
Particular emphasis was placed on the Azerbaijani leader’s comments regarding the importance of the agenda of this international event attended by tens of thousands of delegates from around the world.
The publications note that the number of registered participants in the Baku forum is record-breaking, making WUF13 the second-largest international event ever held in Azerbaijan after COP29.
Statements by UN-Habitat representatives were also cited, describing the level of interest in the Baku forum as unprecedented.
Coverage also included a video address by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to forum participants, in which he stressed that housing directly affects people’s health, education, and future opportunities, highlighting the importance of discussions taking place in Azerbaijan.
It is noted that the WUF13 platform provides foreign guests with an opportunity to gain deeper insight into Azerbaijan’s urban development and architectural transformation.
Officials from several countries, particularly Türkiye, are said to have expressed readiness to draw on Azerbaijan’s experience in organising international events, including preparations for the COP31 climate summit.
By Vafa Guliyeva
