Azerbaijan National Urban Forum marks milestone on the road to WUF13
Held under the theme “Towards climate-resilient and healthy cities: Harnessing regional partnerships and innovative solutions,” the Forum served as an important milestone in preparation for WUF13, fostering dialogue among national and international partners and sharing solutions to advance sustainable and inclusive urban development.
The theme of NUFA3 closely aligns with that of WUF13 – “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities” – ensuring strong continuity between national dialogue and global debate on resilience, innovation and sustainable urban growth.
UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach led the Organization’s delegation and delivered opening remarks. She emphasized the importance of linking national discussions with global frameworks, highlighting that gatherings like the Azerbaijan National Urban Forum are vital, as they ensure that local leadership informs global decision-making while anchoring global frameworks in the everyday realities of people and places.
National and regional urban fora play a vital role in improving the quality and inclusiveness of reporting on global agendas, such as the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They strengthen capacity, broaden stakeholder engagement, and promote peer-to-peer learning – all central pillar that WUF13 continues to build on.
"WUF13 in Baku will be a global checkpoint to renew commitments, track progress, and catalyse partnerships, hereby building directly on the momentum we are witnessing at NUFA3 here in Azerbaijan."
Anacláudia Rossbach, UN-Habitat Executive Director
During her visit, Ms. Rossbach also met with President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan. She commended the Government for the successful convening of NUFA3, which she said has set a strong foundation for WUF13, and discussed ongoing preparations to ensure an inclusive and impactful Forum in May 2026.
To further engage participants, WUF13 hosted a dedicated booth at NUFA3, providing information about the Forum’s theme and programme and inviting attendees to register for WUF13.