World Urban Forum 13 Concludes in Baku with Focus on Housing, Resilience, and Urban Inclusion

The thirteenth World Urban Forum concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan, after six days of discussions, exhibitions, and international exchanges focused on housing the world through safe and resilient cities and communities. The event, co-organized by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, was the first WUF held in the Caucasus region and brought together policymakers, architects, urban planners, academics, and civil society representatives. Hosted at Baku Olympic Stadium from May 17 to 22, the forum addressed the global housing crisis, informal settlements, climate resilience, and equitable urban development. More than 28,000 registered participants joined over 500 sessions covering affordable housing finance, climate adaptation, public space, urban regeneration, and participatory planning. New initiatives included the Practices Hub and the WUF Academy.

"The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) concludes today, May 22, in Baku, Azerbaijan, after six days of discussions, exhibitions, and international exchanges centered on the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.” Co-organized by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, the forum marked the first time the event was held in the Caucasus region, bringing together policymakers, architects, urban planners, academics, and civil society representatives from around the world."

"Established in 2001 by UN-Habitat, the World Urban Forum serves as the United Nations' premier global conference on sustainable urbanization. Hosted at the Baku Olympic Stadium from May 17 to 22, this year's edition focused on the global housing crisis, informal settlements, climate resilience, and equitable urban development, while advancing conversations around the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities."

"According to organizers, WUF13 gathered more than 28,000 registered participants through over 500 sessions and events, including dialogues, assemblies, roundtables, exhibitions, and special sessions. Discussions addressed topics ranging from affordable housing finance and climate adaptation to public space, urban regeneration, and participatory planning. The forum also introduced new initiatives such as the Practices Hub, dedicated to showcasing tested urban solutions, and the WUF Academy, which hosted learning sessions led by universities and partner institutions."

"Among the forum's featured sessions was Cities as Playing Fields, moderated by ArchDaily's Editor-in-Chief Christele Harrouk on May 20. The special session explored the role of sport and physical activity as essential urban services contributing to healthier, more inclusive, and resilient cities. Bringing together city leaders, financing institutions, sport organizations, and community actors, the discussion examined how sport in"

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