BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. The 13th session of
the World Urban Forum (WUF13), held in Baku, is considered one of
the largest international events hosted by Azerbaijan in recent
years, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.
According to him, the World Urban Forum is organized by the
United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and is
considered one of the most influential platforms on urbanization
issues in the world.
“The forum brings together representatives of governments,
international organizations, urban planners, architects, investors,
and experts from various countries. The main goal of the event is
to discuss issues related to rapid urbanization, sustainable urban
development, housing problems, climate change, and modern urban
governance.”
Garayev noted that hosting WUF13 in Baku holds significance for
Azerbaijan beyond its international status.
"This forum has a significant impact on the country's
international image, urban planning policies, investment
opportunities, and the promotion of reconstruction projects being
implemented in the post-conflict period. In recent years,
Azerbaijan has sought to position itself as one of the region’s
diplomatic and event hubs, hosting Formula 1, COP29, international
sports competitions, and various global events. WUF13 is also seen
as a continuation of this strategy. The arrival in Baku of
thousands of participants from dozens of countries around the world
as part of the forum enhances Azerbaijan’s international image.
Representatives of foreign media and international experts are
familiarizing themselves with Baku’s infrastructure, urban
development projects, and urbanization policies. And this makes an
additional contribution to the country’s international image and
promotion.”
The political scientist noted that during WUF13, the
reconstruction projects implemented by Azerbaijan in the
post-conflict period are also coming to the fore as one of the main
themes of the presentations.
“The ‘smart city’ and ‘smart village’ projects being implemented
in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur are being presented to an
international audience. New urban development plans, as well as
projects in the fields of green energy and modern infrastructure in
the villages of Aghali, Fuzuli, and Zangilan, are being showcased
as a model of urbanization in Azerbaijan. According to the official
position, these projects are being implemented in accordance with
the concept of a sustainable city of the future.”
In addition, Garayev noted that such international forums are
also important from an investment perspective.
“At WUF13, international companies operating in the fields of
construction, architecture, engineering, urban planning, and
infrastructure have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with
the Azerbaijani market. Experts believe that the forum can pave the
way for new partnerships, particularly in the areas of ‘green
cities,’ intelligent transportation systems, and digital
governance. This, in turn, can have a positive impact on urban
infrastructure and the construction sector in the long term.”
The political scientist noted that the forum also has a
short-term impact on the tourism and services sectors.
"The arrival of thousands of foreign visitors in Baku boosts
economic activity in hotels, restaurants, transportation, and other
service sectors. And the images that foreign participants share on
social media about Baku provide additional support for promoting
tourism in the country. WUF13 is an important platform for
enhancing Azerbaijan’s international standing, promoting Karabakh
projects, expanding investment opportunities, and establishing new
cooperation in the field of urbanization. WUF13 could become for
Azerbaijan not just an international event, but a turning point in
urbanization policy,” he noted.
