BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. Today’s discussion is
not only about urban development — it is about people, inclusivity,
sustainability, and responsibility. Our goal is to build
sustainable, fair, and people-centered cities while ensuring that
the voices of children and youth are fully reflected in this
process. Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Farid Gayibov,
made the remarks during the “Children and Youth Roundtable” event
held within the framework of the 13th session of the UN World Urban
Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.
The minister said that partnerships established in recent months
under the “Azerbaijan Urban Campaign” have played an important role
in strengthening youth participation, promoting inclusive dialogue,
and shaping a sustainable urban future.
“Because the future of cities cannot be discussed without the
participation of the generation that will inherit and transform
them. This is essential for advancing the New Urban Agenda and the
Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
According to Gayibov, young people account for approximately
22.5% of Azerbaijan’s population.
“We understand that investing in youth means investing in
long-term stability, innovation, and sustainable development,” the
minister added.
By the way, 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.
