WUF13 in Baku reshapes global urban development agenda

Monday 25 May 2026 - 15:20

The 13th World Urban Forum held in Baku brought together an unprecedented gathering of global decision makers, urban experts, and civil society actors to redefine priorities for cities. Nearly 60,000 participants from 176 countries attended the event, alongside heads of state, ministers, parliamentarians, mayors, and academics. The scale of participation made it one of the largest editions in the forum’s history and reinforced its role as a key platform for urban policy coordination.

The central theme focused on housing as the foundation of sustainable cities. Discussions framed housing not as a market asset but as a basic human right linked to dignity, stability, and social inclusion. Delegates examined how rapid urbanization, inequality, and infrastructure gaps continue to shape access to adequate housing in both developing and developed contexts.

Sessions throughout the forum emphasized the need to redesign cities around people rather than infrastructure. Inclusive planning models, participatory governance, and local decision making were repeatedly highlighted as essential tools for building resilient urban systems. Accessibility for persons with disabilities, gender equality in urban access, and youth participation were integrated into policy discussions as core requirements for future city design.

Climate change and urban vulnerability formed another major pillar of debate. Rising temperatures, floods, displacement, and energy insecurity were identified as accelerating pressures on housing systems worldwide. Participants stressed the need for climate resilient infrastructure and innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance and public private partnerships, to support low carbon housing at scale. The discussions also referenced global climate governance efforts linked to recent international climate summits held in Baku.

Azerbaijan’s urban transformation projects featured prominently, particularly large scale reconstruction efforts in Karabakh and East Zangezur. Officials outlined plans to build 12 cities and more than 300 villages from the ground up, with sustainability integrated into energy systems, mobility, and construction standards. The regeneration of Baku’s White City district was presented as an example of industrial land transformation into a modern urban space.

The forum concluded with the adoption of the Baku Call to Action, a framework addressing the global housing crisis affecting an estimated 3.4 billion people. The document called for rights based housing policies, stronger urban governance, and measurable accountability in city planning. It emphasized that the next decade must prioritize implementation over declarations, with coordinated action across governments, local authorities, and international institutions.