BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 4. Another meeting of
the Organizing Committee for the 13th session of the United Nations
World Urban Forum (WUF13) was held on March 4, Trend reports.
Samir Nuriyev, Head of the Presidential Administration of
Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, opened the
meeting, noting that urban planning is regarded by the President of
Azerbaijan as a major strategic priority in the country’s
socio-economic agenda. He added that declaring 2026 the “Year of
Urban Planning and Architecture” demonstrates the continued
importance attached to the sector.
The Committee Chairman emphasized that ongoing, goal-oriented
steps taken under the leadership of the Head of State to promote
balanced growth of the capital and the regions, along with
sustainable settlement, play a key role in Azerbaijan’s
comprehensive development.
Highlighting Azerbaijan’s focus on global urban development
processes, Samir Nuriyev emphasized that the country has promoted
innovative approaches in the sector and successfully implemented
them in practice. He added that the large-scale reconstruction and
development efforts in the Garabagh and East Zangezur economic
regions, unique in the world for their scale and pace, provide the
most vivid demonstration of these efforts.
He noted that the upcoming WUF13 in Baku in May 2026, which has
already garnered considerable international interest, will provide
a platform to present Azerbaijan’s conceptual approach to urban
development, including the practical experiences applied in the
liberated territories on an international stage.
Reports by committee members followed, covering progress in
general preparations, as well as substantive, communication, and
organizational-logistical work.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chairman issued
instructions regarding the WUF13 preparation process, including
implementation of the Action Plan and other tasks in line with the
President’s directives, to ensure the successful organization and
high-level execution of the event.
