BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. The World Urban Forum
in Baku has become not only the largest global platform for urban
issues, but also one of the most accessible events of this caliber
for people with disabilities, said Kamal Mammadov, Head of the
Accessibility and Inclusion Department at the WUF13 Operating
Company, in an interview with Trend.


Preparations for the forum were carried out in accordance with
international standards, and experts with various degrees of
disability were involved in developing the infrastructure.


"It is a great honor and source of pride for us that WUF13 is
being held in Azerbaijan. This is a major event for our country,
and our team was entrusted with a very important mission, to ensure
the forum is fully accessible to all categories of people with
disabilities," he noted.


According to Kamal Mammadov, it was precisely the participation
of people with disabilities in the preparation process that made it
possible to create a truly convenient and well-thought-out
environment.


“Our team included people with various degrees of disability,
and they were directly involved in creating the accessibility
system. Thanks to this, WUF13 stands out from many international
events in that accessibility here was ensured at nearly 100%,” he
emphasized.


New technologies and services tailored to the needs of guests
with disabilities have been implemented at the forum. Specifically,
services for wheelchair repairs and sign language interpretation
were organized; induction loops were installed in the halls for
hearing-impaired visitors; all informational signage was duplicated
in Braille; and special rest areas for guide dogs, along with
veterinary support, were even created.







One of the most ambitious projects was the creation of a tactile
navigation system. According to Mammadov, approximately 3,500
meters of tactile paving have been installed on the forum
grounds.


“All solutions were developed exclusively in accordance with
international standards. We are convinced that true accessibility
can only be achieved when the work is carried out systematically
and professionally,” Kamal Mammadov stated.


He also noted that for the entire team, participating in the
preparation of the forum was an important professional and personal
experience.


“We are happy to be part of such a major international event and
to see that Baku is today demonstrating to the world modern
approaches to inclusivity and an accessible urban environment,” he
added.


WUF13 is taking place in Baku from May 17 through 22 as part of
a collaboration between the United Nations Human Settlements
Program (UN-Habitat) and the Azerbaijan government. WUF13 features
121 pavilions, including 41 national pavilions, with over 40,000
participants registered from 182 countries. The forum is dedicated
to the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and
communities,” and addresses such important issues as the global
housing crisis, sustainable urbanization, urban resilience, the
impact of climate change on cities, and modern urban
governance.