BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. The success of
sustainable urban development will depend not only on
infrastructure and investment, but also on participation, trust,
solidarity, and cooperation. 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.


In his view, young people are ready to contribute ideas,
innovation, and leadership. “Our shared responsibility is to ensure
that their participation is not symbolic but meaningful, not
temporary but institutionalized, and not limited to consultation,
but fully integrated into urban governance and decision-making
processes,” he said.


Gayibov emphasized that Azerbaijan is committed to advancing
international cooperation in promoting inclusive urban development,
strengthening youth participation, and building sustainable cities
and communities.


“We firmly believe that empowering young people today is one of
the strongest investments in a more sustainable, peaceful, and
resilient future,” he said, adding that he wished success to the
“Children and Youth Roundtable” and expressed confidence that it
would produce productive discussions.


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.