BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 22. We are committed to
cooperation and open dialogue, Amina Mohammed, Deputy
Secretary-General of the United Nations, said during the official
closing press conference held within the framework of the 13th
session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Trend reports.
“Discussions held during the forum featured an exchange of views
on commitments, initiatives, and all matters serving to ensure
sustainability,” she said.
According to her, within the framework of the 13th session of
the World Urban Forum (WUF13), Azerbaijan’s reconstruction process,
ensuring lasting peace, and the rehabilitation of territories
destroyed as a result of occupation were widely demonstrated:
“The formation of decentralized management mechanisms,
disasters, risks, water, and energy issues require a systematic
approach and coordination today. All these directions are reflected
in a renewed manner within the urban planning agenda. Sustainable
development and the development of urban planning are kept under
special attention. Cities must be accessible and inclusive for
every citizen, youth, children, women, and other social groups.
We have adopted a new urban agenda, and solutions have been
demonstrated individually. The presented reports are of special
importance in terms of promoting mutual trust, confidence, and
cooperation,” she noted.
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 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.
