BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Media representatives
play an exceptionally vital structural role in broadcasting the
strategic outcomes and developmental breakthroughs of WUF13 to the
global public, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning
and Architecture and National Coordinator of WUF13 Anar Guliyev
said, Trend
reports.


He made the remarks during the official closing press conference
of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.


"The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) leaves a
lasting legacy defined not merely by its unprecedented scale, but
by its deployment of innovative formats, deep inclusive
participation, and highly substantive policy outcomes," he
said.


Guliyev expressed firm confidence that the intense panel
debates, strategic networking opportunities, and localized
solutions engineered throughout the Baku summit will rapidly
translate into concrete municipal operations, directly contributing
to alleviating global housing deficits and homelessness crises
impacting 3.5 billion people worldwide.


"In transmitting the core metrics and developmental
breakthroughs of WUF13 to the global public, the role of you - our
media representatives - carries exceptional structural
significance. By comprehensively covering the strategic goals,
institutional milestones, and daily deliberations of this forum,
you contribute directly to anchoring its core messages across the
global public consciousness," the national coordinator noted.


Guliyev emphasized the long-term motivational impact of the
summit on its record-breaking assembly of international
delegates.


"Our core expectation is that every participant departs Baku not
only fundamentally inspired, but equipped with substantially more
robust cross-border partnerships, clear policy priorities, and a
renewed institutional determination to execute these mandates. I
extend my deepest gratitude to all of you, and we look forward to
reconvening the global urban planning community in Mexico," the
national coordinator concluded.


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.