BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 11. The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026, introduces a new feature to promote leadership and innovative approaches to housing: the Business & Innovation Hub, with a dedicated programme to highlight practical solutions, delivery models and partnerships across the urban value chain, Trend reports via WUF13 Organizing Committee.
Under the WUF13 theme, “Housing the world: Safe and resilient
cities and communities,” the Hub will contribute to advancing
approaches that respond to the global housing crisis, with the
focus on innovation, investment and implementation.
The Business & Innovation Hub is built around two main objectives:
showcasing how housing is delivered in practice and creating a
space for meaningful networking and collaboration. The programme
will bring together private sector actors and different
stakeholders working on innovative housing and basic services
solutions.
Urban value chain in action
At the core of the Hub is the Business & Innovation Stage,
featuring 15 curated sessions under the theme “Urban value chain in
action.” These interactive sessions will showcase how companies,
business associations and partners are advancing sustainable urban
development and adequate housing through real projects and lessons
learned.
Reflecting the diversity of the private sector, the Hub will
include a wide range of actors — from large companies to small and
medium-sized enterprises, startups and business associations —
emphasizing innovation, technology and fresh approaches to urban
challenges.
The Hub will also foster exchanges between cities, investors and
practitioners, helping translate ideas into implementable
approaches and collaboration across the urban value chain.
Empowering startups and new voices
The Business & Innovation Hub will also feature the Startup
Pavilion, providing a dedicated space for emerging businesses and
young entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations. With 14 selected
startups from 10 countries, the Pavilion aims to empower new voices
and highlight ideas that can be scaled to address housing and urban
challenges.
