BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 19. Azerbaijan transitions to a deeper industrial model for developing creative industries amid sector growth and expanding international cooperation, Rashad Azizov, Director of the Cinema Agency under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said during a panel session on "UNESCO Creative Cities and Sustainable Urban Development" held within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.
"It represents a great honor to stand here and participate in this significant event within the framework of the World Urban Forum," the Ministry of Culture representative stated.
He emphasized the vital importance of hosting the forum in Baku and welcomed the active involvement of creative cities from around the globe.
"We experience great joy hosting this major event and seeing representatives from various creative cities worldwide gather here in Baku to exchange their valuable expertise," Azizov noted.
According to him, the development of the creative economy has emerged as one of the key strategic priorities for the country.
The third day of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) is underway in Baku.
On the first day, a ministerial meeting dedicated to the New Urban Agenda, a roundtable of ministers, assemblies of women and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban well-being were held. A ceremony for raising the flags of the United Nations and Azerbaijan also took place within the framework of the forum.
The second day of the forum drew attention with the first-ever Leaders Summit. High-level discussions on the global housing crisis, urbanization policy, and urban resilience were held that day. At the same time, the Mexico City pavilion was inaugurated within the framework of WUF13. The pavilion was presented as an important platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin American region and preparing for WUF14.
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.
