Euronews: Azerbaijan serves as a platform for global dialogue on urbanization issues

As the host of WUF13, Azerbaijan has set itself the task of presenting to the international community approaches to urban development that prioritize human interests, safety, security, and inclusivity.

As reported by BAKU.WS, this is stated in a Euronews report dedicated to Azerbaijan's preparations for the 13th World Urban Forum.

The TV channel notes that as an active participant in international partnerships, the country contributes to shaping global dialogue.

"Today we can proudly say that we are a member of the UN-Habitat Executive Board. In addition, we co-chair the Intergovernmental Working Group on Affordable Housing for All," the TV channel quotes WUF13 Deputy National Coordinator Gulshan Rzayeva as saying.

According to her, such platforms open extensive opportunities for dialogue both for Azerbaijan and for the global community as a whole.

Euronews emphasizes that the hosting of WUF13 is driven by the fact that cities around the world face similar challenges: from rapid urbanization growth and pressure on the housing sector to the need for climate resilience and sustainable development.

"Addressing these challenges requires not only local measures but also international cooperation and the exchange of experience between countries. Azerbaijan's approach to developing human-centered 'smart' cities, with an emphasis on post-conflict territories, is one of the key topics on the global urban agenda," the report states.

The Deputy National Coordinator also drew attention to the fact that Azerbaijan has accumulated significant experience in the field of urban infrastructure restoration and ensuring the return of populations to areas that have experienced conflict.

In this context, the TV channel notes, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) occupy a central place in WUF13, as they form the global framework that determines approaches to urban planning, governance, and development.

The report also includes a comment from Huseyn Huseynov, adviser to Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy, who spoke about the dialogue platform on Sustainable Development Goals established in the country, which convenes once every two to three years.

"We discuss the challenges that societies face in the context of various sustainable development goals. Based on the outcomes of these discussions, commitments are formed for both the private and public sectors, after which we send recommendations to various communities — on how existing problems can be solved and challenges within the SDGs can be overcome," he said.

Anna Soave, Head of the UN-Habitat Country Office in Azerbaijan, also noted that WUF is not a regulatory event. Being a platform for knowledge exchange, the organizers prioritize the opportunity to conduct dialogue between parties for sharing experiences.

"We have to be realistic. No country, no single participant has a ready-made solution to all problems. People come here to learn from others and then apply the knowledge gained taking into account their own context," she noted.

The TV channel concludes that the initiatives presented by Azerbaijan are aimed at sharing the country's experience in the field of urban restoration, post-conflict development, climate change adaptation, transport, and innovation, which makes WUF13 a particularly significant event.

It should be noted that WUF13 will take place May 17-22 in Baku. The forum is held in close cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and is aimed at exchanging international experience in the field of sustainable urban development, "smart cities," and innovative urban solutions.