The Baku Declaration on WUF13 was signed by 569 NGOs from 103 countries

At the initiative and with the organization of the Global South NGO Platform, the "Baku Declaration" was prepared in connection with WUF13. The document was opened for signature by foreign representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) participating in WUF13. The "Baku Declaration" was signed by 569 NGO representatives from 103 countries.

The document states:

"We, the representatives of civil society organizations, gathered in Baku within the framework of WUF13, declare the following:

- we congratulate Azerbaijan on the successful organization of WUF13 and its important contribution to the development of international urban dialogue and cooperation. The Leaders' Summit, held for the first time in the history of the forum, elevated urban development issues to a new political level, including them among the priorities of the international agenda;

- at a time when urbicide, culturicide, and ecocide are manifesting in various parts of the world, Azerbaijan's experience in post-conflict restoration and reconstruction represents an important methodological example for the international community. In this regard, we propose to recognize the "Azerbaijani experience" as an international benchmark and a primary reference point at relevant forums in the restoration of post-conflict regions of the world;

- the NGO Forum, held for the first time in the history of WUF in Baku, marks a new stage in civil society participation in the WUF process;

- the convening of the first General Assembly of the Global South NGO Platform (GSNP), uniting more than 1,000 NGOs from various countries, as well as the formation of its leadership, represents a historic stage in the institutional consolidation of global civil society. This Declaration, adopted through the GSNP network, serves as an act of global solidarity in support of affordable housing and inclusive urban development. We call on UN-Habitat to continue supporting this initiative, recognize GSNP as an official civil society partner of WUF, and make this model a permanent component of future forums. In order to systematize and disseminate successful urban development experiences, we propose the establishment of a Knowledge Center on Cities of the Global South;

- addressing all international partners from Baku, we call on them to support people-centered urban policies and undertake more coordinated global actions in the name of urban sustainability, resilient development, and inclusive societies;

- based on the Letter of Intent related to the development of joint operational rules for future WUF sessions drawing on the experience of WUF13, we promote their conduct in accordance with the "Baku Standard."

It should be noted that the "Baku Declaration" was adopted three days after the WUF13 NGO Forum, held for the first time in the history of WUF on May 19 of this year in partnership with the Global South NGO Platform (GSNP) and organized by the NGO Agency of Azerbaijan. During the discussions at the WUF13 NGO Forum, which was attended by approximately 800 foreign and local NGO representatives, it was proposed to form an Urban wing of the GSNP comprising local and foreign NGOs represented at WUF13.

At the opening ceremony of the WUF13 NGO Forum, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Anacláudia Rossbach stated that this forum is a historic event for WUF. Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation Dima Al-Khatib called the Global South NGO Platform a fantastic project and congratulated Azerbaijan on establishing this platform in Baku. Former Secretary of the UN-Habitat Governing Board Christian Mensa congratulated GSNP on creating a space for interaction between local and foreign NGOs within the framework of WUF13. He noted that in the current complex international environment, the "Bandung Principles" are once again gaining relevance, and this event is a real manifestation of the application of these principles in the realm of cooperation and multilateral partnership.