BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. Historical and cultural heritage sites still face various threats, despite measures taken within the framework of international agreements and conventions, Deputy Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Farid Jafarov said at a panel session titled "Secure Model - Sustainable and Empowering Cultural Revitalization of Post-Conflict Cities" within the framework of WUF13, Trend reports.
He emphasized that the preservation of the rich cultural heritage and its transmission to future generations is one of the most important issues of modern times.
According to the deputy minister, the preservation of cultural heritage is not only a matter of culture, but also an important responsibility of states and societies. Therefore, projects and initiatives implemented in this direction are of particular importance.
Jafarov noted that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, large-scale restoration and reconstruction programs are being implemented in the liberated territories. Alongside the restoration of historical and cultural monuments in these areas, important work is being carried out to reconstruct social and engineering infrastructure.
The official pointed out that the reconstruction process in the liberated areas continues consistently, and the cultural life and historical image of the region are being gradually restored. These measures serve both to protect cultural heritage and to form a sustainable living environment in the areas.
Today marks the fifth day of WUF13 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.
One of the highlights of the third day was the signing of a sister-city memorandum between the Azerbaijani city of Shusha and the Turkish city of Trabzon.
The fourth day of WUF13 featured a broad program of events dedicated to urbanization, climate change, inclusive urban development, housing policy, and sustainable governance.
One of the important events of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Cities Forum, held on the fourth day, was the announcement of Almaty’s official accession to the “Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of the SPECA Smart Climate-Resilient Cities Forum.”
Also, for the first time in WUF history and at Azerbaijan’s initiative, the “WUF13 NGO Forum: Global Partnership and Decision-Making” was held.
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.
