BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. Media representatives play an exceptionally vital structural role in broadcasting the strategic outcomes and developmental breakthroughs of WUF13 to the global public, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture and National Coordinator of WUF13 Anar Guliyev said, Trend reports.
He made the remarks during the official closing press conference of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.
"The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) leaves a lasting legacy defined not merely by its unprecedented scale, but by its deployment of innovative formats, deep inclusive participation, and highly substantive policy outcomes," he said.
Guliyev expressed firm confidence that the intense panel debates, strategic networking opportunities, and localized solutions engineered throughout the Baku summit will rapidly translate into concrete municipal operations, directly contributing to alleviating global housing deficits and homelessness crises impacting 3.5 billion people worldwide.
"In transmitting the core metrics and developmental breakthroughs of WUF13 to the global public, the role of you - our media representatives - carries exceptional structural significance. By comprehensively covering the strategic goals, institutional milestones, and daily deliberations of this forum, you contribute directly to anchoring its core messages across the global public consciousness," the national coordinator noted.
Guliyev emphasized the long-term motivational impact of the summit on its record-breaking assembly of international delegates.
"Our core expectation is that every participant departs Baku not only fundamentally inspired, but equipped with substantially more robust cross-border partnerships, clear policy priorities, and a renewed institutional determination to execute these mandates. I extend my deepest gratitude to all of you, and we look forward to reconvening the global urban planning community in Mexico," the national coordinator concluded.
Today marks the final day of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
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.
The fifth day of WUF13 continued discussions on the global housing crisis, the creation of safe and inclusive cities, climate resilience, the use of artificial intelligence in urban management, green urbanization, and social equality.
One of the important events of the UN Special Program 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.
