BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. The Media as a Strategic Tool for Protecting National Interests in a Complex Information Environment, Azerbaijani MP Rizvan Nabiyev said, Trend reports.
He made the statement at the event “Media as a Driver of Public Discourse on Housing and Urban Resilience,” held as part of WUF13.
''Modern cities are built not only on concrete and steel, but also on information, communication, and public trust,'' he emphasized.
The MP stressed that in the modern era, the media are not only a source of information but also a strategic tool for safeguarding social stability, international communication, and national interests in an increasingly complex information environment.
He summarized the role of the media in shaping issues of sustainable urban development and housing construction in four main areas:
“First, the media informs. Citizens cannot effectively participate in city governance without accurate, timely, and understandable information.
Second, media platforms bring together various stakeholders and create conditions for dialogue. Urban challenges are multifaceted and require cooperation among governments, civil society, academia, urban planners, the private sector, and local communities. Partnerships formed through the media can lead to significant results in areas such as infrastructure development, disaster preparedness, and housing policy.
Third, the media promote accountability. Proactive journalism has helped improve transparency and the quality of governance by exposing unsafe construction practices and inequalities in access to housing in many countries.
Fourth, the media fosters innovation and solidarity. Sharing successful experiences among different cities helps spread best practices in sustainable housing, green infrastructure, disaster risk reduction, and smart urban planning,” he added.
The MP added that another important point is that the media bring local voices to global platforms:
“According to recent studies, more than 5 billion people worldwide use social media and digital communication platforms. Urban discussions that previously remained only at the local level can now attract global attention within a matter of hours. Journalism based on engagement with the local community, citizen reporting, and local digital platforms can amplify voices that were previously excluded from urban policy.”
According to Nabiyev, misinformation and polarization can distort public understanding and erode trust during crises.
"However, technology alone is not enough. Urban discourse must be inclusive and ensure the full participation of women, youth, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups in shaping the future of cities. More than 120 million people worldwide are internally displaced, and more than half of them seek refuge in cities. Azerbaijan also has experience with housing issues related to the displacement of about one million citizens from their homeland during the occupation," he noted.
Today, the fourth day of the WUF13 conference is taking place in Baku.
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.
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.
