BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. The Baku Declaration
on WUF13 was prepared at the initiative and with the organization
of the “Global South NGO Platform”, Trend reports.


The document was opened for signature by foreign NGO
representatives participating in WUF13. A total of 569 NGO
representatives from 103 countries signed the Baku Declaration.


The document states:


“We, the representatives of civil society organizations gathered
in Baku within the framework of WUF13, declare the following:


- We congratulate Azerbaijan on the successful organization of
WUF13, as well as on its significant contribution to international
urban dialogue and cooperation. The Leaders’ Summit, held for the
first time in the history of the forum, elevated urban development
issues to a new political level, placing them among the priorities
of the international agenda;


- At a time when urbicide, culturicide, and ecocide are
manifesting themselves in various parts of the world, Azerbaijan’s
experience in post-conflict recovery and reconstruction serves as
an important methodological example for the international
community. In this regard, we propose recognizing the ‘Azerbaijani
experience’ as an international benchmark for the reconstruction of
post-conflict regions worldwide and as a key reference point at
international forums in this field;


- The NGO Forum, held in Baku for the first time in WUF history,
marked a new stage in civil society participation within the WUF
process;







- The convening of the first General Assembly of the Global
South NGO Platform (GSNP), which brings together more than 1,000
NGOs from different countries, as well as the formation of its
leadership, represents a historic stage in the institutional
consolidation of global civil society. This Declaration, adopted
through the GSNP network, serves as an act of global solidarity in
support of affordable housing and inclusive urban development. We
call on UN-Habitat to continue supporting this initiative,
recognize GSNP as WUF’s official civil society partner, and make
this model a permanent component of future forums. We also propose
establishing a Knowledge Center for Global South Cities to
systematize and share successful urban development practices;


- Addressing all international partners from Baku, we urge them
to support people-centered urban policies and to act in a more
coordinated manner for the sake of urban resilience, sustainable
development, and inclusive societies;


- Based on the Letter of Intent concerning the development of
joint operational rules for future WUF sessions grounded in the
WUF13 experience, we promote the organization of forums in
accordance with the ‘Baku Standard.’”


The Baku Declaration was adopted three days after the “WUF13 NGO
Forum,” which was held for the first time in WUF history on May 19
this year in partnership with the “Global South NGO Platform”
(GSNP) and organized by Azerbaijan’s State Support Agency for
Non-Governmental Organizations. During discussions at the “WUF13
NGO Forum,” attended by around 800 foreign and local NGO
representatives, it was proposed to establish the Urban wing of
GSNP composed of local and foreign NGOs represented at WUF13.


At the opening ceremony of the “WUF13 NGO Forum,” Executive
Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme
(UN-Habitat) Anacláudia Rossbach stated that the forum was a
historic event for WUF. Director of the United Nations Office for
South-South Cooperation Dima Al-Khatib described the “Global South
NGO Platform” as a fantastic project and congratulated Azerbaijan
on establishing the platform in Baku. Former Secretary of the
UN-Habitat Governing Council Christian Mensah congratulated GSNP on
creating a civil society hub for local and foreign NGOs within
WUF13. According to him, amid the current complex international
environment, the “Bandung Principles” are once again gaining
relevance, and this event is a real manifestation of applying those
principles in the sphere of cooperation and multilateral
partnership.