BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. UN-Habitat Executive
Director Anaclaudia Rossbach expressed gratitude to the Government
of Azerbaijan for successfully hosting the 13th session of the
World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.
Rossbach made the remarks during the forum’s official closing
press conference in Baku. She praised the level of hospitality,
organization, and leadership demonstrated throughout the week,
describing WUF13 as “a truly global gathering at a critical moment
for the future of cities.”
Rossbach said more than 57,000 participants from over 176
countries took part in the forum, including more than 3,000 online
attendees. She added that women and girls accounted for 55 percent
of participants.
According to UN-Habitat, the forum brought together 11 heads of
state, nine high-level guests, 88 ministers, 76 deputy ministers,
and 130 mayors. A total of 579 sessions were held during the
event.
The Urban Expo featured 260 exhibitors, innovators, and solution
partners, while attracting more than 74,000 visitors. Rossbach also
noted that 865 media representatives covered the forum throughout
the week.
The final day of WUF13, jointly organized by UN-Habitat and the
Government of Azerbaijan, includes roundtable discussions focused
on the role of indigenous peoples and women in urban
development.
Later in the day, organizers are scheduled to hold the official
closing ceremony, present the symbolic baton to the host city of
WUF14, and lower the WUF13 flag.
Participants are also expected to summarize the outcomes of
discussions held over the past five days and outline future areas
of cooperation in urban planning, housing policy, and sustainable
development.
Throughout the forum, delegates discussed key global issues
including the housing crisis, climate resilience, inclusive urban
development, artificial intelligence in urban governance, green
urbanization, and social equality.
WUF13, held under the theme “Housing for All: Safe and
Sustainable Cities and Settlements,” concludes on May 22 after
bringing together governments, international organizations,
experts, and civil society representatives to strengthen global
cooperation on sustainable urban development.
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.
