UN-Habitat and Azerbaijan step up global outreach for WUF13
The diplomatic briefing, led by UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach and Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SCUPA) and WUF13 National Coordinator, brought together representatives of diplomatic missions and international partners to exchange on the vision, priorities and expected outcomes of WUF13, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 17 to 22 May 2026 under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities”.
The discussions highlighted WUF13 as the United Nations’ premier global platform on sustainable urbanization and a key moment to advance dialogue, partnerships and practical solutions to the global housing crisis – affecting nearly 3 billion people worldwide – while supporting implementation of the New Urban Agenda and progress on Sustainable Development Goal 11. Updates on preparations by the host country underscored Azerbaijan’s commitment to delivering an inclusive, action-oriented Forum and encouraging broad international participation
Building on the diplomatic exchange, UN-Habitat and the Association of Correspondents Accredited at the United Nations in Geneva (ACANU) jointly convened a media briefing with journalists accredited to the United Nations. The discussion introduced WUF13 to international media, highlighting key coverage opportunities, and outlined how journalists can access the programme, speakers and on-the-ground reporting from Baku.
The briefings form part of broader advocacy efforts by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan to mobilize political support, strengthen media engagement and build momentum toward WUF13, as preparations continue on the road to Baku.
