First diplomatic briefing in Baku calls for global engagement at WUF13
Opening the session, Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture (SCUPA) and WUF13 National Coordinator, outlined Azerbaijan’s vision as host country and shared updates on preparations and high-level engagement. He highlighted several innovations that will debut at WUF13, including a Leaders’ Summit convened by the Government of Azerbaijan and a High-level Ministerial Meeting on the New Urban Agenda — both designed to strengthen international cooperation and accelerate commitments toward sustainable urban development.
UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach addressed participants virtually, expressing her appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan for convening the briefing.
“WUF13 will be a crucial moment for all partners to renew their commitment to ensuring access to decent housing for all, as it is essential for human dignity, security and climate action — all of which lie at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Forum will also offer an important opportunity to mark a decade since the adoption of the New Urban Agenda, to reflect on progress, and to define priorities for advancing housing over the next decade.”
Anacláudia Rossbach, UN-Habitat Executive Director
Edlam Yemeru, Director of External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation at UN-Habitat, presented an overview of WUF13, its theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities,” and the programme’s core components. She emphasized opportunities for countries, cities and international organizations to participate, encouraging diplomatic missions to support broad engagement in the Forum.
Held in a hybrid format, the session gathered nearly 200 representatives from diplomatic missions in Baku and around the world and international organizations accredited to Azerbaijan. The briefing marks an important milestone in the lead-up to WUF13 and forms part of a broader global push to build momentum ahead of the Forum. Through coordinated outreach to governments, cities, partners and stakeholders, UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan aim to ensure diverse, high-level participation and a strong international presence in Baku.