D-8: The success of WUF13 has strengthened Azerbaijan's growing reputation as an important international platform

The successful hosting of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku became yet another important global milestone for Azerbaijan following the organization of the global climate conference COP29 in November 2024.

As Report conveys, this was stated in the declaration of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) following the visit of Secretary-General Sohail Mahmood to Azerbaijan.

The statement emphasizes that Mahmood made his first official visit to Azerbaijan after assuming office in January 2026 to participate in WUF13.

"The successful hosting of WUF13 became yet another important global milestone for Azerbaijan following the success of COP29, further strengthening the country's growing reputation as an important venue for international multilateral dialogue on climate action, sustainable development, and urban transformation," the statement reads.

The document also notes that during the visit, the Secretary-General attended a D-8 high-level dialogue on energy and urban development organized on the sidelines of the forum.

"The forum brought together heads of state and government, ministers, mayors, representatives of international and regional organizations, urban planning experts, and development stakeholders from around the world to discuss the future of sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally resilient cities," D-8 noted.

In his address at the forum, Sohail Mahmood proposed considering initiatives to award the titles of "D-8 Sustainable City of the Year," "D-8 Green Capital," and "D-8 Clean Energy Capital" to stimulate innovation and the exchange of best practices in the region.

One of the main outcomes of the visit was the confirmation of progress in establishing three D-8 Centers of Excellence in Baku — in the fields of energy and climate, transport, and media.

The statement emphasizes that these centers will serve as practical platforms for strengthening South-South cooperation, policy dialogue, research exchange, innovation, and capacity building in the areas of renewable energy, transport connectivity, media, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development.

During the visit, the D-8 Secretary-General also held high-level meetings with Azerbaijani officials, including Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov, and Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov.

The parties discussed the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and D-8, preparations for the organization's 12th summit in Jakarta, as well as the launch of the D-8 Energy and Climate Center in Baku and preparations for the first D-8 Energy Ministers' Meeting, scheduled to take place in Baku on June 1, 2026.

A meeting was also held with the Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan (MEDIA) Ahmad Ismayilov, during which the parties discussed the expeditious launch of the Center of Excellence in Media, as well as the further strengthening of media cooperation among D-8 member states.

Overall, as noted in the statement, the negotiations during the visit demonstrated the high priority that Azerbaijan places on its D-8 membership, as well as the country's active role in the organization's processes.