BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Artificial
intelligence (AI), digitalization, and data-driven management also
have a high transformative potential in urban planning, Advisor to
the Azerbaijani Minister of Economy, Hasan Hasanli, said at an
event titled “Strategic Environmental Assessment as a tool for
achieving climate targets in urban planning” in Baku within the
framework of the 13th Session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13),
Trend reports.


The advisor stressed that modern analytical tools are already
strengthening climate forecasting, resource efficiency, and
evidence-based decision-making.


"These approaches also include the strategic environmental
assessment process, and Azerbaijan is committed to using these
innovations to build smarter, more agile, and more adaptive cities
of the future," he explained.


According to Hasanli, today, climate sustainability and economic
sustainability have become almost the same concept.


"Sustainable cities require integrated and coordinated policies,
and strategic environmental assessment provides the essential
evidence base for this.


Azerbaijan is proud to co-host this event. We believe that
knowledge sharing and sincere multilateral cooperation are the
foundation for building sustainable, inclusive, and promising
cities of the future," he added.


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.