WUF13 discussions to shape final Baku Call to Action

As thousands of participants gather in Baku for the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), discussions taking place across the Forum are helping shape one of its main outcome documents: the Baku Call to Action. Focused on housing and sustainable urban development, the document captures shared priorities and proposed actions emerging from WUF13 at a time when cities around the world are facing rising housing costs, climate pressures and deepening inequality.

The process for the Baku Call to Action began months ago, being shaped through an extensive stakeholder engagement process. In recent months, more than 2,000 people across 11 stakeholder groups have contributed perspectives, priorities and proposed actions through consultations held in the lead-up to the Forum. Participants included local and regional governments, grassroots organizations, civil society, business representatives, academia, children and youth, and other constituencies.

These contributions informed the zero draft of the Baku Call to Action, which is now available online ahead of WUF13 which begins on Sunday, 17 May 2026. Discussions taking place across more than 400 events during WUF13 will continue informing the document throughout the week ahead of its final presentation at the Closing Ceremony on Friday, 22 May 2026.

The process reflects a broader effort to strengthen stakeholder participation within global urban processes and ensure that the perspectives of communities, partners and practitioners help shape the future of housing and sustainable urban development.

Read the draft: Baku Call to Action

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