BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 16. A briefing on the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to be held in Baku, took place on 15 January for representatives of international organisations and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Geneva, Trend reports.
In the opening remarks, Galib Israfilov, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva briefed participants on the significance of the Forum and extended an invitation to international partners to take part in WUF13.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and National Coordinator of WUF13, and Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director, UN-Habitat.
Addressing preparations for the Forum, its organisational approach and the opportunities it presents, Anar Guliyev said the event has emerged as one of the leading international platforms for debate on and solutions to global housing challenges.
“For the first time in the history of the World Urban Forum, a Leaders’ Summit will be held in Baku. This reflects our position that advancing housing and urban development requires leadership at the highest political level. We invite all countries and international partners to actively participate in WUF13 and look forward to welcoming their delegations in Baku,” the WUF13 National Coordinator said.
Highlighting the Forum’s main thematic priorities, Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, said that housing plays a decisive role in advancing social inclusion, supporting climate adaptation and promoting sustainable urban development. WUF13 will take place from 17 to 22 May 2026 under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”.
“WUF13 is more than a conference,” she said. “It is a global platform for stakeholders and a midpoint checkpoint for the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. We will take stock of existing commitments, identify gaps, and shape global priorities for the next 10 years. We must address the global housing crisis affecting nearly 3 billion people, including 1.1 billion who live in informal settlements and are among those most affected by climate change.”
The event was also attended by Fuad Isgandarov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
The briefing provided an important platform to outline the objectives of WUF13, encourage diplomatic support and reinforce Azerbaijan’s role in advancing the global urban agenda. Representatives from nearly 100 diplomatic missions based in Geneva attended the event.
