BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. A high-level panel
discussion titled "Developing Azerbaijan’s First National
Sustainability Standard: The Sustainable Practices Standard (SPS)"
is taking place within the framework of the 13th session of the
World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.


During the session, international experts, policy architects,
and corporate executives are analyzing the structural components of
Azerbaijan's maiden Sustainable Practices Standard (SPS). The
dialogue focuses heavily on designing functional mechanisms to
localize and embed global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into
daily operations at the municipal and regional levels.


The panel review sessions specifically target the creation of
practical sustainability toolkits tailored for commercial
businesses, cultural institutions, and public urban spaces.
Furthermore, participants are examining regulatory frameworks to
incentivize and promote environmentally and socially responsible
methodologies across diverse sectors of the national economy.


Today marks the fifth day of WUF13 in Baku.


The first day included a ministerial meeting dedicated to the
New Urban Agenda, a ministerial roundtable, assemblies for women
and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban
prosperity. An official ceremony marking the raising of the UN and
Azerbaijani flags also took place.


The second day stood out for the inaugural Leaders' Summit,
featuring high-level discussions on the global housing crisis,
urbanization policy, and urban resilience. Concurrently, the
opening of the Mexico City pavilion took place, serving as a
significant platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin
American region and preparing for WUF14.


The third day of WUF13 featured a comprehensive program of
events covering the global housing crisis, the formation of safe
and inclusive cities, climate resilience, artificial intelligence
and urban governance, green urbanization, social equity, and
sustainable transport.







One of the highlights of the third day was the signing of a
sister-city memorandum between the Azerbaijani city of Shusha and
the Turkish city of Trabzon.


The fourth day of WUF13 featured a broad program of events
dedicated to urbanization, climate change, inclusive urban
development, housing policy, and sustainable governance.


One of the important events of the UN Special Programme for the
Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Cities Forum, held on the fourth
day, was the announcement of Almaty’s official accession to the
“Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of the SPECA Smart
Climate-Resilient Cities Forum.”


Also, for the first time in WUF history and at Azerbaijan’s
initiative, the “WUF13 NGO Forum: Global Partnership and
Decision-Making” was held.


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.


Will be updated