BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The mine threat in
Azerbaijan's Karabakh and East Zangezur will remain one of the main
challenges of the region for many years, Special Representative of
the President of Azerbaijan for the Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavand
districts, Emin Huseynov, said, Trend reports.


The official made the remark at the event "From Urbicide to
Revival: Sustainable Reconstruction, Resettlement, and Development
in Azerbaijan’s Liberated Territories" held within the framework of
WUF13.


He noted that the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts are
extensively contaminated with mines due to their location along the
line of contact, which had existed for 30 years.


"In order to start the process of rehabilitation and
reconstruction, demining work should have been carried out first.
In the past five years, about 60% of the Aghdam district, 78% of
the Fuzuli district, and 16% of the Khojavand district have been
cleared of mines," he pointed out.


Huseynov stressed that despite the results achieved, the mine
problem hasn't yet been completely eliminated.


"This is a fundamental problem and will continue to exist in the
coming years. We must take this reality into account, pay special
attention to security issues, and keep the protection of human
lives as a top priority," he added.


The special representative also noted that demining work is one
of the main conditions for the restoration of settlements, the
return of people to their native lands, and the resumption of
economic activity.


Today marks the final day of the 13th session of the World Urban
Forum (WUF13).


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.


The fifth day of WUF13 continued discussions on the global
housing crisis, the creation of safe and inclusive cities, climate
resilience, the use of artificial intelligence in urban management,
green urbanization, and social equality.


One of the important events of the UN Special Program 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.